Never has health and wellness been so top of mind for travelers than the present moment and as we look to the future of travel, more are looking to embrace new motivations for visiting destinations. Whether it be for stress relief, getting in touch with your spiritual side, or just searching for that ultimate relaxing getaway, Japan has much to offer travelers in search of a wellness retreat. Here are just a few activities to look forward to in some of Japan’s health and wellness hot spots!
Shinrinyoku
Some may now be familiar with the Japanese pastime of ‘forest bathing’ or ‘shinrinyoku.’ Believed to be one of the best things for mental health and wellbeing, shinrinyoku is often promoted by Japanese doctors as a way to treat the stress of day-to-day life. The art of forest bathing is simple – unplug yourself, go out into the forest, and breathe in the clean air while taking in the relaxing sounds of birds, a soft breeze, and the rustling of leaves. Though Japan’s ample forests and national parks offer plenty of choices, areas such as the Kii Peninsula (famous for the Kumano Kodo) and the Japan Alps which stretch across prefectures such as Nagano, Toyama, and Gifu are excellent places to bathe in Japan’s healing greenery.
Learn more: https://www.japan.travel/en/guide/forest-bathing/
Shukubo
Shukubo or Japanese temples stays offer travelers a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in the peace and tranquility of monastic life. Shukubo originally began as a way to offer pilgrims lodging as they completed their long pilgrimage routes and although you can still embark on your own pilgrimage, you can also opt for a single night stay. Quiet your mind with seated Zen meditation exercises and nourish your body with shojin ryori, healthy vegetarian Buddhist fare. There are many areas throughout Japan where you can experience Shukubo but some truly unique experiences include the sacred Dewa Sanzan in Yamagata where you can experience Yamabushi mountain asceticism or along the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage in Shikoku, the smallest of Japan’s four main islands.
Learn more: https://www.japan.travel/en/guide/temple-stays/
Spa
Nothing is quite as relaxing as a nice spa retreat. Aside from Japan’s plethora of different mineral hot springs that can be found throughout the country, one can also find an array of unique and rejuvenating spas as well. Tottori prefecture’s Kaike Onsen for example, is a pioneer in thalassotherapy – literally sea therapy – which uses heated sea water said to have a variety of health benefits, in addition to offering some truly stunning views of the Sea of Japan from its baths. Ibusuki in Kagoshima offers a truly unique spa treatment known as sand bathing. Visitors are buried up to their necks in naturally heated sand that has been scientifically proven to offer a number of health benefits such as increasing blood circulation and expelling toxins.
Learn more: https://www.japan.travel/experiences-in-japan/en/relaxation/
