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E-mail Newsletter "HIGHLIGHTING Japan"

https://www.gov-online.go.jp/hlj/en/



No. 192(MAY. 2024)

◆JAPAN’S HEALING FORESTS (PART 1)◆

Japan is one of the most forested countries in the world, with approximately 70 percent of its land area covered by forest. There are many rich and diverse forests that have been nurtured over a long period of time. In Japan, the practice of relaxing in such a forest, away from the busy daily life, is called ‘Shinrin-Yoku (forest bathing)1’, and overseas it is also known as ‘Shinrin-Yoku’ as the Japanese term implies. Actually, forest bathing has scientifically proven health benefits. This issue of Highlighting Japan introduces readers to some of Japan’s most famous forests, including the Akasawa Natural Recreation Forest in Nagano Prefecture, the birthplace of forest bathing, the Akan Mashu National Park, the Shirakami Sanchi Mountain Range, and the ancient pilgrimage routes of Kumano Kodo, as well as various initiatives that utilize forests.
1. The Japanese term for ‘Shinrin-Yoku’ is forest bathing. Shinrin means ‘forest’ and Yoku means ‘bath.’ Shinrin-Yoku literally means forest bathing, or ‘taking in the forest atmosphere’ for therapeutic results.

●Why do People Relax when they Go to the Forest?
(Interview with Miyazaki Yoshifumi, Emeritus Professor at the Nature Therapy Lab, Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University)

●Enjoy a Walk in the Forests of Akan-Mashu National Park
(Akan-Mashu National Park is a huge park located in the eastern part of Hokkaido. Introducing some interesting areas to walk around with in the park.)

●The Forests of Shirakami-Sanchi, Japan’s First World Natural Heritage Site
(Introducing a natural forest in Shirakami-Sanchi Mountains, the first registered UNESCO Natural World Heritage site in Japan)

●Bijinbayashi “Forest of Beauties” Enriching the Satoyama Landscape
(Introducing Bijinbayashi, the picturesque beech forest that stretches across the satoyama landscape in Tokamachi City of southern Niigata Prefecture)

●The Birthplace of Shinrin-Yoku — A Cypress Forest with Trees Over 300 Years Old
(Presenting Akasawa Natural Recreation Forest, home to over 300-year-old Japanese cypress trees and considered the birthplace of shinrin-yoku)

●Exploring ‘Kumano Kodo,’ a Forest-Enveloped World Cultural Heritage Site
(Introducing Kumano Kodo, a forest-enveloped in the Kii Mountain Range, one of the rare pilgrimage routes on the UNESCO World Heritage List)

●The Shikoku Karst Tengu Highland Natural Recreational Forest: A Refreshing Corridor in the Sky
(Presenting Tengu Highland Natural Recreational Forest located in the Shikoku Karst at an elevation of approximately 1,000 to 1,500 meters above sea level)

●The Kikuchi Gorge: Where Primeval and Clear Streams Meet
(Introducing the charms of Kikuchi Gorge with forests of natural broad-leaved trees and alongside underground waters flowing from the outer rim the Mount Aso, creating a landscape rich in diversity.)

■POLICY-RELATED NEWS
(Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Designing Future Society for Our Lives)

■SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(A Wooden “Dream Material” with Outstanding Fire Resistance)

■DISCOVERING JAPAN THROUGH THE EYES OF JAPANESE INFLUENCERS
(Art Inspired by the Seasons: Wagashi)

■TREASURES OF JAPANESE CULTURE
(The charm of Rakugo, having human empathy and a laughter-filled Japanese traditional storytelling art with a 400-year history)

■BACK COVER
THE BEAUTY OF JAPANESE SWORDS
(Long sword (tachi) signed Yasutsuna (The celebrated Doujigiri Yasutsuna))

https://www.gov-online.go.jp/hlj/en/may_2024/


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