The forest invites us to open our hearts and listen

1 Feb, 2026, No comments

Forest Bathing in Japan Shinrin - Yoku 森林浴

Forest bathing has become a vital part of preventative healthcare in Japan.

History of forest bathing

Forest bathing as a medicinal practice in Japan goes back to the 1980s. Around this time, the world was coming to realise the negative effects of depression, distraction, and aches and pains.

These effects have only gotten worse with time, and are now recognized in cities all over the world. It's difficult to truly relax in cities, with sensory overload caused by heavy traffic, dense populations and long hours spent in offices. High demand for real estate has made many cities "green-poor”, with few trees and parks to give even the illusion of nature.

Dr. Qing Li, MD, Ph.D. is a doctor at Nippon Medical School in Tokyo, president of the Society of Forest Medicine and author of Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness. He estimates we spend 93 percent of our time indoors.

He identified a nature deficit disorder in society, which contributes to negative feelings about life, but can be significantly improved by just a few hours of forest bathing.

Benefits:

Immune system booster
Mental health and mood improvement
Decrease in blood pressure and stress
Challenging the effects

How to practice Shinrin - Yoku :

Place and time:

Choose a forested area, forest, or park. Recommended duration: 20 minutes to 2-4 hours.

Turn off devices:

Put your phone on "do not disturb" mode to focus on the moment.

Move slowly:

This is not a fitness walk, but a stroll without a destination.

Walk slowly, listening to yourself.

Engage your five senses:

Sight:

Notice the patterns in the bark, the play of light, and the shades of green.

Hearing:

Listen to the birds singing, the rustling of leaves, and the sound of footsteps.

Smell:

Inhale the scents of pine needles, earth, and moist air.

Touch:

Touch the moss, tree bark, and walk barefoot.

Taste: Taste the forest air; you can bring a thermos of tea.

Practice pauses:

Stop, sit on a tree stump, and take deep breaths, drawing the air into your belly.

Regularity:

Even short 20-minute forest baths have been shown to reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) levels by 21%.

Daffodils in Japan

10 Oct, 2024, No comments

In Japan the daffodils is a well known and beloved flower.

It is called 水仙 Suisen, which literally means "water fairy".

A symbol of purity, modesty and elegance.

Associated with winter and early spring.

Awaji Island large fields of daffodils

Awaji Island is famous for its vast fields of wild narcissus (daffodils), particularly at Nada Kuroiwa Narcissus Field (Nada Kuroiwa Suisenkyo), one of Japan's top three narcissus colonies, where millions bloom on steep coastal slopes, offering stunning views of yellow flowers against the blue sea from late December to February.

This natural phenomenon began centuries ago when fishermen planted bulbs that washed ashore, creating a winter spectacle known for its sweet scent and beautiful scenery, often enjoyed from observation decks.

Nagasaki, Kyushu coastal areas

Nagasaki's Kyushu coast, especially the Nomozaki area, is famous for its spectacular winter narcissus displays at Suisen no Sato Park, featuring millions of flowers with sea views and the iconic Gunkanjima (Battleship Island), offering a unique coastal fragrance experience during their winter festival (late Dec-Jan).

This location is designated one of Japan's "100 Fragrant Landscapes," highlighting its beautiful scent carried on the sea breeze, making it a prime spot to enjoy narcissus in a stunning maritime setting.

Narcissus included in traditional Ikebana floral arrangements

In Ikebana, the narcissus (suisen) symbolizes new beginnings, purity, simplicity, and good fortune, especially for winter and New Year displays, representing the arrival of spring and vitality with its crisp, upright form that contrasts with its delicate blooms.