Forest bathing: The fusion of nature and wellness tourism in Japan

A soak in warm mineral waters has been the source of relaxation across difficult cultures, whether thermal baths in continental Europe or Japanese onsen hot springs. We now know that a stroll in the nature can also be therapeutic, for both our minds and bodies.

The Japanese term “shinrin-yoku,” or forest bathing, emerged in the 1980s as an antidote to stress due to overworking prevalent in society. Day hikes, weekend trips or longer executions in the forests are proven to offer physiological and psychological relief from the stress of urban lifestyle.

Proven benefits of forest bathing

In fact, researchers have found that being in forest environments can lead to lower pulse rates, blood pressures, anxiety and adrenaline. They also found out that it leads to higher activity of anti-cancer proteins. In addition, the mindfulness aspect of forest bathing – its meditative effect – has attracted more people to seek peace and tranquility in nature. Wellness tourism caters to this demand.

Forest ecotherapy

One such example is the renewed wellness program at HOSHINOYA in Karuizawa, Nagano. The hotel is endowed with an over-100-years-old hot spring and a forest home to wild birds.

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Its private wellness program – only for two participants at a time – combines thermal therapy and forest bathing, focusing in part on regaining physical resilience lost during COVID-19. Supervised by a research institute on holistic medicine in the area, “forest walks” in this program entail tailored advice on breathing and strolling techniques, based on individual needs.

Next on the menu is flexibility training in a private space with panoramic views of Mt. Asama. Stretching exercises extend to the eye, cheek and throat muscles, so as to reverse the decline of facial and vocal expressions during the pandemic.

Program participants also enjoy daily massages by certified shiatsu professionals, which start with consultation and posture evaluation and end with recovery and rebalancing after hikes. There is even a special lecture on deep breathing and stretching in the “medicine bath” at HOSHINOYA.

Needless to say, no Japanese wellness program is complete without the nature-based local cuisines. The Nagano area is bountiful in wild forage in the spring, summer vegetables, autumn mushrooms and deer and boar in the winter. Meals in this program are crafted using locally sourced ingredients to maximize their nutritional value. For instance, one of their soup broths is prepared by simmering ginger, carrots, and daikon radish, making use of their roots, skins, and leaves over several hours.

Similar to many eco-tourism destinations in Japan, HOSHINOYA Karuizawa is accessible by public transportation. It is 80-minutes away from the Tokyo station by shinkansen, and the hotel offers a shuttle bus from the Karuizawa station, free of charge. The two-night program costs approximately $1,500 plus accommodations.

Retreat into nature on your next trip

The beauty of forest bathing is that you can start anywhere and at any cost. You can visit a nearby park for a walk or picnic with friends and families, sign up for hiking tours and programs similar to HOSHINOYA’s or explore other types of the nature and wellness tourism, such as pilgrimages through the ancient roads connecting sacred mountains and monasteries. After you fly into Tokyo, Osaka, etc. and enjoy urban landscapes, why not venture into the forests that still cover 70% of this island country?