Why the Japanese Are Taking Forest Baths, and Why You Should, Too

Danita Delimont/Gallo Images/Getty Images

For the times when you just need an escape, take a cue from the Japanese and go take a bath in the forest.

But this bath doesn’t involve any water. Since the 1980s, wellness and nature enthusiasts in Japan have turned to a practice called “forest bathing” (or shinrin-yoku in Japanese).

A forest bath is quality time spent among the trees with no distractions. There’s no end destination like on a hike, or specific type of tree to seek out. All would-be forest bathers need to do is break from all outside distractions (no cell phones allowed) and take in the surrounding forest. Consider it meditation in nature—without any of the concentration or discipline necessary for meditation. In fact, the most important rule for taking a forest bath is no effort, according to Quartz.

Among the benefits associated with forest bathing are a boost in immune system functions, reduced blood pressure, improved mood, improved ability to focus, increased ability to focus, increased energy and improved sleep. Spending time in nature has also been proven to increase the count of the body’s “natural killer” cells. (Those are good cells.)

It’s a practice just starting to take off stateside. There are groups around the country to lead people on leisurely, guided breath walks through the forest. But shinrin-yoku is so simple, it’s possible to just do it alone without any training.

For those inspired by the Japanese practice, here are 15 scenic forests around the world to rest and recharge in a forest bath.

Start Slideshow

1 of 15

Yakushima Forest, Japan

Hiroyuki Nagaoka/Getty Images

2 of 15

Waipoua Forest, New Zealand

Anders Blomqvist/LPI/Getty Images

3 of 15

Tongass National Forest, Alaska, U.S.

ROJAS/Getty Images

4 of 15

Daintree Rainforest, Australia

Peter Adams/Getty Images

5 of 15

Forest Park, Oregon, U.S.

deebrowning/Getty Images

6 of 15

Tarkine, Australia

Rob Blakers/Lonely Planet Images/Getty Images

7 of 15

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, California, U.S.

Dan Barr/Getty Images

8 of 15

Black Forest, Germany

ssiltane/Getty Images

9 of 15

Araucaria Moist Forests, Chile

AlbertoLoyo/Getty Images

10 of 15

Bellavista Cloud Forest, Ecuador

Minden Pictures/Alamy

11 of 15

Olympic Peninsula State Forest, Washington, U.S.

Danita Delimont/Gallo Images/Getty Images

12 of 15

Great Otway National Park, Australia

Dennis Harding/Getty Images

13 of 15

Humboldt Redwoods State Park, California, U.S.

Neleman Initiative/Getty Images

14 of 15

Manú National Park, Peru

Cultura Exclusive/Getty Images

15 of 15

Redwood National and State Parks, California, U.S.

Danita Delimont/Gallo Images/Getty Images

Replay gallery

Your Profile

Why the Japanese Are Taking 'Forest Baths'

1 of 15

Yakushima Forest, Japan

1 of 15

2 of 15

Waipoua Forest, New Zealand

2 of 15

3 of 15

Tongass National Forest, Alaska, U.S.

3 of 15

4 of 15

Daintree Rainforest, Australia

4 of 15

5 of 15

Forest Park, Oregon, U.S.

5 of 15

6 of 15

Tarkine, Australia

6 of 15

7 of 15

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, California, U.S.

7 of 15

8 of 15

Black Forest, Germany

8 of 15

9 of 15

Araucaria Moist Forests, Chile

9 of 15

10 of 15

Bellavista Cloud Forest, Ecuador

10 of 15

11 of 15

Olympic Peninsula State Forest, Washington, U.S.

11 of 15

12 of 15

Great Otway National Park, Australia

12 of 15

13 of 15

Humboldt Redwoods State Park, California, U.S.

13 of 15

14 of 15

Manú National Park, Peru

14 of 15

15 of 15

Redwood National and State Parks, California, U.S.

15 of 15

Share the Gallery

Up Next

Share the Gallery