Are you familiar with the term "forest therapy"? It's a step beyond "forest bathing," referring to forest medicine that utilizes the healing effects of forests to restore a tired body and mind. It can be said to be a scientifically validated approach to what we've intuitively perceived simply as "feeling good."

So, what exactly are these healing effects? Research by the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute indicates that being in a forest reduces stress hormones. It also calms blood pressure and balances the autonomic nervous system. It's gaining attention not only for healing mental and physical fatigue but also from a preventive medicine perspective, helping to build a body less susceptible to illness.

The Forest Therapy Society, a collaboration between industry, government, and academia, has certified 24 forests nationwide as "Forest Therapy Bases" proven to have high healing effects. The "Forest of Healing" in Shinano Town is one of them. Shinano Town, with initiatives like the "Afun 5 Senses Project" (※) spearheaded by local author C. W. Nicol, has been a pioneer in forest therapy, recognizing its effects beyond mere forest bathing even before its official certification.

A key player in this initiative is the "Forest Medical Trainer," trained through a unique town program. Working in conjunction with doctors, they are specialists in forest therapy, maximizing its healing potential. Their role extends beyond simply guiding visitors through the forest's charms. While leading us along Shinano Town's various walking trails, they assist us in opening our senses to the forest and breathing in fresh air with proper techniques, acting as close companions akin to counselors or therapists.

Forest Medical Trainer Kikiko Kashima

Our guide into the forest today was Kikiko Kashima, one of the Forest Medical Trainers and the chairperson of the "Toki no Kai" Shinano Town Forest Therapy Research Group. What surprised us was the pre-walk "assessment" held the day before entering the forest. "This is to ensure you can enjoy the forest comfortably and without reservation the next day, and to provide a sense of security knowing who you'll be walking with," Kashima explained. "If you have concerns about clothing or mindset, we can also communicate by phone or email beforehand."

There are ten walking courses, varying in distance and difficulty: the "Elephant Path Course" around the shores of Lake Nojiri; the "Jishin Falls Course," a 7-kilometer trek over four and a half hours to Jishin Falls (also known as Naonaki Falls), selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls; and the "Ojikaiike Course," a beginner-friendly route we experienced.

Among this unique lineup, the Ojikaiike Course stands out. Centered around the "Kurohime Fairy Tale Museum," a local attraction, it's a 1.2-kilometer loop around Ojikaiike Pond. With its short, flat path, it's popular with a wide range of people, from young children to the elderly. What's particularly unique is the time allocated: while children can complete the course in 40 minutes, it's designed to be walked in a leisurely three hours.

This three-hour journey was a chance to fully savor the forest's allure: the scent of vibrant flora, the sound of water flowing downstream, the taste of freshly created air. Kashima remarked, "This course might be better described as savoring the forest, rather than just walking through it. Its flexibility, accommodating everything from vigorous Nordic walking to a gentle stroll, is also part of its charm."

In front of the Kurohime Fairy Tale Museum, the starting point of the Ojikaiike Course, are the words: "Take your time, until you remember what you've forgotten." This phrase comes from Michael Ende's (※) fairy tale "Momo," written about 30 years ago. The story of "Momo," where time thieves appear in a town where time flows slowly, seems to symbolize modern people caught up in busy lives. Kashima states, "The forest possesses the power to reawaken the hearts and dormant senses that we tend to lose."

"In cities filled with regularity, people unconsciously become rigid. Their senses close off. Conversely, nature is full of irregularities. Colors, shapes, sounds – everything changes with time. For example, the sound of leaves rustling. The irregular rhythm we hear helps to loosen our closed senses."

As we walked, we learned about the "bounty of the forest," including edible plants like Japanese bayberry and Japanese angelica tree, as well as medicinal herbs such as Japanese indigo and Japanese butterbur, known for their efficacy in treating injuries and illnesses.

While understanding this knowledge is important, the true pleasure of walking with a forest expert lies in the hands-on experience: confirming the slight bitterness of Japanese bayberry under the trainer's guidance, or feeling the relaxing effect of Japanese chervil. It's about engaging all the senses.

As we proceeded along the trail, the dense foliage suddenly gave way to an open vista: Ojikaiike Pond. Here, we learned "Tanden Deep Breathing." Standing with feet shoulder-width apart, relaxing our shoulders, we slowly inhale the earth's energy. This breathing technique is said to fill the body with oxygen, activating cells and stimulating the serotonin system, which promotes a sense of calm. Kashima advises, "Deep breathing can be done anytime, anywhere, like a TV remote, instantly shifting your mood. If you have a stressful job or work with computers, your breathing tends to become shallow. Even after leaving the forest, please incorporate deep breathing into your daily routine."

Furthermore, it's known that after spending time in the forest, the number of "natural killer cells"—lymphocytes that kill abnormal cells (like cancer cells) and viruses—increases and remains elevated for a month. Encouragingly, "What matters isn't how far you walked, but the distance and time that feel comfortable for your body."

For those seeking a more accessible way to connect with nature, "Lake Nojiri Hotel El Bosco," our base for this trip, is offering a special autumn package called "Forest Walk in ELBOSCO." This includes a guided walk through the "Elbosco Forest" directly in front of the hotel with a Forest Medical Trainer, followed by morning yoga in the forest the next day.

There are many ways to nurture your mind and body, but why not consider adding a forest walk to your routine? It's an opportunity to reawaken your innate senses of sight, hearing, touch, and smell.

Forest Walk in ELBOSCO
Dates: Sunday, September 29th; Sunday, October 20th
Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Price: Standard Twin Room – ¥21,000 per person and up
Superior Twin Room – ¥23,100 per person and up
*Based on double occupancy per room, includes two meals, tax, and service charge.
Includes: Forest walk with a trainer in Elbosco Forest, morning yoga
Course dinner using local ingredients
Healthy and wholesome breakfast

http://iyashinomori.main.jp/

4847 Furumi, Shinano-machi, Kami-Ina-gun, Nagano Prefecture
Tel. 026-258-2111
Rooms: 50 (Twin, Maisonette, Maisonette Suite)
Check-in: 3:00 PM, Check-out: 11:00 AM
Meeting Room: 1
Restaurants: 3 (Dining "moment", Lounge, Bar "SOBA Bar")
www.nojirikohotel-elbosco.com