Today, I walked through the Aokigahara Forest in a light rain. During the rainy season, the moss and plants come vibrantly alive, and it is a paradise for mushrooms. There’s so much to enjoy even when it rains.
First, let’s talk about the moss, which plays a particularly crucial role in Aokigahara Forest. The forest, formed on a lava plateau, has very little surface water. Even when it rains, the water quickly seeps through holes in the lava and goes underground. This makes it difficult for plants to get water directly.
This is where moss comes in. Moss stores rainwater and moisture from the atmosphere, and this is the water that other plants then utilize. You could say that moss is the source of life in Aokigahara.
Next, let’s look at mushrooms and fungi. These organisms form networks of mycelia that spread underground, often attached to tree roots. Through this network, they exchange nutrients with trees and even transmit information. Some fungi also break down fallen or weakened trees, returning their nutrients to the earth.
These tiny organisms are hard at work in the forest every day. As you can see, there’s still so much to enjoy and discover, even when it’s raining.
