You may have heard of forest bathing, the wellbeing practice that’s gaining ground in the UK, but the English name comes from the Japanese concept of shinrin-yoku. Health resorts and wildlife organizations across the world have started offering the soothing pastime in recent years, a therapeutic activity that’s rooted in Japan, but with surprising origins.
More than a buzzy fad or a quick walk in the woods, the habit invites us to bask in the natural compounds released by trees, breathing them in deeply, encouraging mindfulness and even boosting immunity. And like so many facets of Japanese culture, it breeds a deep appreciation of the natural world – promoting an eco-conscious mindset by honing our awareness of biodiversity and sustainability. Adopting this practice regularly is proven to bring a calmer life, clarity of mind and very real connection with the natural world around you.
Rebalancing our connection with the natural world
You would be forgiven for assuming that shinrin-yoku stems from Shinto; Japan’s earth-centric indigenous religion that predates the arrival of Buddhism to the islands. However the practice is in fact little over 40 years old, originally introduced in 1982 by a pioneering naturalist Akiyama Tomohide. As the director of Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Akiyama saw untapped value in studies on the therapeutic benefits of being in nature. He took the findings of these as the backbone of the concept of shinrin-yoku, which was promoted as a way to counteract and rebalance the negative effects of urbanization and the boom in technology he saw happening in Japanese society. Decades later, the stress of city life and disconnect from the natural world is something people still struggle with the world over – so it’s no wonder forest bathing seems more prevalent than ever before.
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Surprisingly to many, approximately two-thirds of Japan is forested, so as Akiyama’s recommendations took hold as a nationwide practice throughout the 1980s and 90s, people did not have to travel far to experience the tranquillity of forest bathing. There are no official rules or suggestions on how to practise shinrin-yoku and bathe in a forested environment; you’ll often see people hugging trees as part of their methods. The recommendations I received were: go to a forest, turn your phone off in order to be as present in that place as possible by tuning into your surroundings with all five senses. I decided to hit the forest noting what I could see, what I could hear, what I could smell, what I could feel and touch and (if I found a water spring) what I could taste.
In search of peace and tranquillity
I took these suggestions to heart as I headed north out of Tokyo to Nikko National Park, a sprawling mountainous region northeast of the capital that was formed by volcanic activity. The park is loved by hikers of all levels and is known for its spectacular autumn colours, when the trees glow radiant magenta reds. Following a rather raucous Halloween in Tokyo I took the JR train in search of some peace, tranquillity and rebalancing in Nikko’s forests. The trip remains one of my favourite weekends of all my time traveling around Japan. After visiting the woodland temples and mausoleums Nikkō Tōshogū and Rin’nōji Taiyū-in, I strode off along the pathway through the dense forests of beech, cedar, maple and oak trees, where some of the birches even reach a height of 1,600 metres.
After breathing in the incredible woodland air, and feeling the breeze graze my cheeks, I set about collecting leaves of all colours and laying them all out on a stone slab, making a spectrum from the forest, for the forest. I stopped to watch a group of obasan (literally ‘aunts’ in English, a term commonly used in Japanese) in matching blue tracksuits hugging trees, and my curiosity couldn’t be held back – I found myself hugging a tree next to them, much to their delight, as one of the ladies encouraged me to find a wider tree and really embrace it. Between the laughter, I felt joy and serenity, like I belonged in that place at that moment.
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Tree hugging is not a mandatory part of forest bathing but you will see people doing it in forests in Japan, where it’s said that hugging a tree has been shown to release the hormone oxytocin, which is associated with happiness. I’ve also been told by older Japanese acquaintances that trees have healing vibrational patterns that can help people feel more grounded. Whether you’re hugging, wandering, listening or inhaling your way between the trees, it’s pretty undisputed that we feel rejuvenated after the practice – but why exactly do we feel so great after forest bathing?
Scientific studies show there are physical and psychological benefits of shinrin-yoku – after practising we are likely to experience lowered blood pressure, reduced cortisol levels, a better mood and improved cognitive function. So being around trees literally reduces stress, boosts immunity, and is even said to help with recovery from illnesses. Practicing regularly can help to foster positive mental well-being, making shinrin-yoku more than just a leisure activity but a great holistic health practice to counteract the pressures of modern life.
Forging a deep connection with nature
So forest bathing is a lot more than a walk in the woods. Beyond the physical health benefits, it forges a deep connection with nature, something that is valued in Japanese cultures thanks to the country’s animistic Shinto faith. Shinto beliefs give reverence to the environment, as devotees make offerings to the forest kami (‘spirit-deities’) who are present everywhere in the world around us, including in trees. This respect extends to Japan’s carpentry culture which is highlighted in an exhibition at Japan House London: The Craft of Carpentry: Drawing Life from Japan’s Forests, opening on 12 March 2025.
The exhibition explores Japan’s sophisticated woodworking culture, rooted in a deep respect for the forest. The experts of Japanese woodcutting and carpentry, daiku, have long sought harmony with trees, advocating environmental balance and avoiding over-harvesting the forest. With thousands of years of experience behind temple and shrine building, artisans possess not only a knowledge of this essential craft, but experience of honouring the forest kami (deities) as they gather materials, connecting the material world of wood to the spiritual realm.
Ready to try forest bathing? You don’t have to journey all the way to Japan to give it a go. Public bodies like Forestry England are running guided sessions and events across the country, if you would like some stewardship on your first meander. But if you’re already versed in mindfulness and meditation, put your trainers on and head along the footpaths of your nearest woodland. You won’t regret it.
Lucie Grace is a British freelance culture and travel writer, based between The Balkans and Thailand. Her work appears in both US and UK media such as The Independent, Lonely Planet, National Geographic Traveller and BBC Travel.