The Japanese and the "forest bathing" culture of Shinrin-yoku.

In Japan in 1982, the Ministry of Forestry coined the term "shinrin-yoku," meaning "immersing oneself in the forest" or "forest bathing." This isn't a long walk or run, but simply about embracing and connecting with nature through the senses of smell, taste, sight, hearing, and touch—by inhaling the scent of the forest, enjoying the fresh air, watching the leaves change color, listening to the birdsong and the babbling of streams, touching the lush green moss, smooth stones, or rough bark, and feeling the gentle breeze on one's skin. And when the senses are awakened, we begin to connect with the natural world.

Since the 1980s, the Japanese government has gradually recognized the adverse effects of the technological boom on urban dwellers, such as depression, lack of concentration, and physical pain. Crowded cities are not true places for relaxation; instead, only forests offer a sense of peace. Therefore, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture encourages people to connect with nature through this special health therapy. Through the experience of returning to the green forests, people not only improve their physical health but also their mental well-being. Currently, this type of therapy is widespread and popular not only in Japan but also in countries such as the United States, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Throughout Japan, there are centers specializing in shinrin-yoku therapy, offering organized tours tailored to individual needs. With the help of a guide or therapist, visitors learn to slow down and enjoy the surrounding nature, and may conclude their shinrin-yoku session with a tea ceremony.

If visitors want to experience the "forest bathing" on their own, the stunning national parks are the perfect destination. For hiking enthusiasts, the Japanese Alps – comprising three mountain ranges in the Chubu region of Honshu Island with a climate similar to the European Alps – stretch from Toyama Prefecture to Shizuoka Prefecture. Within the Japanese Alps, there are several peaks over 3,000 m, such as Mount Kita (3,193 m), Mount Hotaka (3,190 m), and Mount Ontake (3,067 m) – an active volcano.

If you're inclined towards spiritual pilgrimage, head to Kii, the largest peninsula on Japan's Honshu island, located south of Osaka. Here, visitors can experience "forest bathing" in the famous Yoshino-Kumano National Park, spanning over 61,400 hectares, with its diverse landscapes including mountains, rivers, the sea... and sacred pilgrimage trails. Kumano Sanzan is the name of a trio of large shrines located southeast of the Kii peninsula, comprising Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Hayatama Taisha, and Kumano Nachi Taisha.

For those who love adventure, head south to Yakushima National Park on the island of the same name, in Kagoshima Prefecture, at the southernmost tip of Kyushu Island, and discover the inspiration forPrincess MononokeYakushima, a subtropical island shaped almost like a dot, is famous for having the highest peaks in the Kyushu region and is also home to ancient cedar trees, some of the oldest in the country, thousands of years old. It is considered one of the most ideal places for "forest bathing." In 1993, Yakushima Island was recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site. UNESCO's heritage dossier indicates that it is home to 1,900 species and subspecies of plants, 16 species of mammals, and 150 species of birds.

Huong Thao (photo: Internet)