Pokémon Go Leading Players To A Notorious Suicide Spot In Japan

Located on the coast of Fukui Prefecture, Tojinbo is infamous in Japan as a place people commit suicide. Recently, however, it’s been teeming with life thanks to Pokémon Go

The area is supposed to be haunted by a Buddhist priest who, according to one legend, was chucked off the cliffs because of his corruption or, according to another, was pushed off by a rival who was also vying for the same beautiful princess.

Suicides were so high at Tojinbo (as many as 25 a year) that a retired police officer named Yukio Shige began patrolling the area, trying to talk down people who planned to end it all. Around 20 volunteers have joined his crusade, and Shige estimates that they’ve saved over 500 lives.

J-Cast reports that recently, that Pokémon Go have spotted hard to get Pocket Monsters like Aerodactyl, Dragonite, and Hitmonchan.

Now, families and young people are coming to Tojinbo, and the place, while spectacular, certainly seems a lot less grim.

https://twitter.com/embed/status/762166513394601984

ポケモンGOの聖地&自殺の名所としてめざましテレビで全国放送された三国の東尋坊🌅 pic.twitter.com/9ZwwGT9xUy

— KEN-SHO (@saru_surf) September 7, 2016

https://twitter.com/embed/status/765054044444524544

https://twitter.com/embed/status/765845218281127936

二枚目はポケモンGO終わりのキメ顔ののぶ@東尋坊 pic.twitter.com/YIFEtsriKY

— よしろうLv.35 (@jonny625) August 17, 2016

東尋坊！
初めて来た。
ポケモンも沢山いた。笑
Anlyちゃんのてーしゃつ着て徘徊。 pic.twitter.com/cmBQOw54DS

— ひがしー!!（東浦です）🌻🌸🌊 (@HIGASHI__kuuga) July 24, 2016

福井の東尋坊。水ポケモンが次から次へと湧いてました。

クラブってポケモンの世界でも食べられるんですかね。#ポケモンGO pic.twitter.com/4BcGFF9pga

— HT@ポケモンGO (@comemanaders002) August 11, 2016

https://twitter.com/embed/status/764366209466765316

東尋坊まさかポケモンの聖地だなんて。 pic.twitter.com/1ou0tddxcP

— くぼ (@kubo_july) August 28, 2016

https://twitter.com/embed/status/769893008783179776

昨日、東尋坊でポケモンいっぱいGetしました☀景気もキレイでした😃でも暑かった一💦#東尋坊#ポケモンGO pic.twitter.com/FpP5AfGunI

— cyoko-pina-tio (@CyokoOwl) August 7, 2016

One of the folks who patrols the area told Japanese TV that he felt as though this could be an opportunity to convey that suicide is wrong.

自殺の名所東尋坊。

ポケモンで賑やかな場所に変えて、ポケモンGO配信以来ここで自殺する人がいなくなったらしい

こういったメリットは嬉しいが
まだデメリットはあるからそちらも解決して欲しい pic.twitter.com/DFcydIygaH

— スマ2.2 (@vihhdrea5) September 7, 2016

https://twitter.com/embed/status/764024365973331969

These are steep cliffs, so hopefully players will take care as they search for elusive Pokémon.

東尋坊人いっぱいだった(||ﾟДﾟ)♡ww
みんなポケモンの話してる😋💕✨わら pic.twitter.com/X9c3NnHIAa

— なっちゃん☺︎ (@nacha_888) July 31, 2016

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