The Forest Bathing Trend: Best Places to Try Shinrin-Yoku Around the World

It’s not hiking. Not really meditation either. Forest bathing — Shinrin-Yoku if you want to sound poetic — sits somewhere in between. The idea? Step into the woods, leave your phone behind, and let the forest do what forests do best: calm you down.

Picture this: you’re standing under a canopy of pines, the air damp and resin-scented, a woodpecker tapping somewhere above. No rush, no finish line, no playlist in your ears. Just you and the trees. It sounds simple, almost too simple, but that’s exactly the point.

The practice was born in Japan in the 1980s, back when “workaholic” was practically a national identity. And it stuck, because people discovered what we all sort of know deep down — time in the forest resets something in us. Today, travelers fly halfway across the world for it. From the misty redwoods of California to a cedar grove in Nagano, Shinrin-Yoku has become less of a wellness fad and more of a quiet movement.

What is Shinrin-Yoku?

The translation is beautifully literal: Shinrin (forest) + Yoku (bath). So, yes, it means bathing in the forest atmosphere. But don’t picture hot springs or saunas. It’s about immersion — eyes open, ears tuned, skin prickling with the coolness of shade.

Unlike hiking, you’re not aiming for a summit. You don’t even need to walk very far. Instead, you slow down until you notice the tiny things: the way moss holds morning dew, the shift of light when a cloud passes, the faint creak of an old tree in the wind. That’s Shinrin-Yoku.

Scientists, naturally, studied it. Turns out this slow wandering reduces cortisol (that nasty stress hormone), helps sleep, and might even boost immunity. But the science is almost the least interesting part. What really hooks people is how it feels. That moment when your brain finally quiets down and your breath syncs with the forest. It’s addictive, in the gentlest possible way.

Why Try Forest Bathing on Your Travels?

Travel usually comes with a checklist. Sights to see, restaurants to try, photo spots to hit before the light fades. Forest bathing throws all that out the window. It’s not about “doing” more — it’s about doing less. And honestly, that’s what makes it so refreshing.

Think about it: when was the last time you went into a forest and didn’t rush? No trail apps, no watch buzzing your heart rate, no “we have to make it to the viewpoint.” Just walking (or not walking), letting yourself notice what you usually miss. The crunch of leaves, the sudden silence when a bird takes off, even the way your shoulders drop without you realizing.

For travelers, it’s the ultimate reset button. Families use it as a screen-free way to slow kids down (works like magic). Couples call it romantic — because really, what’s more intimate than being quiet together under 200-year-old trees? And solo wanderers? They swear by it for clearing their head after long flights and busy cities.

Not only that, Shinrin-Yoku fits anywhere. A dense forest in Finland, a cedar grove in Japan, even a small woodland park just outside a capital city. You don’t need gear. You don’t need training. You just need to show up — which, let’s be honest, is sometimes the hardest part.

The Best Places to Try Shinrin-Yoku Around the World

So where should you go if you want to give this a try? The world is full of forests, but some places feel almost designed for it — vast, quiet, layered with atmosphere. Below are ten destinations where forest bathing isn’t just possible, it’s unforgettable. From Japan’s birthplace of Shinrin-Yoku to California’s redwoods and Europe’s Black Forest, each has its own rhythm, its own kind of silence.

1. Akasawa Natural Recreation Forest, Japan

If forest bathing has a birthplace, this is it. Nestled in Nagano Prefecture, Akasawa Forest was one of the first places in Japan to officially host Shinrin-Yoku programs back in the 1980s. Imagine towering hinoki cypress trees, their trunks straight and pale, stretching up like cathedral columns. The air smells faintly resinous, sharp but clean, and the sound of your footsteps gets swallowed by the thick carpet of needles.

Locals will tell you this is the “classic” place to try forest bathing, and they’re right. Trails are gentle, loops are short, and the vibe is more “slow stroll” than serious hike. It’s where you go not to push your limits but to let them dissolve.

Many travelers choose to stay in Agematsu, the nearest town to Akasawa Forest. It’s small, quiet, and has a handful of inns that make access to the trails easy.

2. Yakushima Island, Japan

South of Kyushu, Yakushima feels like it belongs in a different world altogether. This island is famous for its ancient cedar trees, some over 1,000 years old (one even older than 7,000, depending on who you ask). The forest here is so lush and otherworldly that Studio Ghibli is said to have used it as inspiration for Princess Mononoke.

Walking in Yakushima is like stepping into a green ocean. Moss covers everything — rocks, branches, entire stumps — and mist drifts lazily through the canopy. It’s hard not to slow down when everything around you feels timeless. If there’s a place where Shinrin-Yoku turns into something close to spiritual, it’s probably here.

On Yakushima, the port town of Miyanoura is the most practical base. You’ll find guesthouses, small hotels, and a few cozy ryokan right by the ferry terminal.

3. Black Forest, Germany

The name alone sets the tone: dark, dense, a little mysterious. The Black Forest (Schwarzwald) stretches across southwestern Germany, and yes, it’s every bit as atmospheric as the fairy tales suggest. Trails wind through towering spruce and fir, streams cut through mossy ravines, and if you’re lucky, you’ll stumble upon a half-hidden waterfall or two.

Forest bathing here has its own rhythm. The air is cool, a bit damp, sometimes filled with the scent of woodsmoke from distant villages. You’ll probably find yourself walking slower than you meant to, pausing at a sunlit clearing, or listening to the strange hush that settles when the wind dies.

And if you want to take it all in from above, the Baumwipfelpfad Schwarzwald treetop walk offers a whole new perspective — winding high above the canopy, it’s a gentle way to see just how endless this forest really is.

To explore the Black Forest and the Baumwipfelpfad, Triberg is a classic choice. It’s surrounded by trails, waterfalls, and plenty of traditional guesthouses.

4. Seogwipo Healing Forest, South Korea

On Jeju Island, there’s a forest designed almost entirely around the idea of healing. Seogwipo Healing Forest sits at the foot of Hallasan Mountain, where cypress and cedar trees release a subtle, almost spicy fragrance into the air. Here, trails aren’t meant to tire you out — they’re short, shaded, and often paired with programs that encourage slow breathing and mindfulness.

It’s forest bathing with a distinctly Korean touch: orderly, intentional, yet still deeply soothing. Whether you join a guided Shinrin-Yoku walk or just wander quietly on your own, the feeling is the same — stress peels away, replaced by something softer.

When visiting Jeju’s healing forest, the seaside city of Seogwipo works perfectly as a base. Hotels here range from modern towers to family-run guesthouses.

5. Chiang Mai, Thailand

Known for its temples and markets, Chiang Mai also happens to be surrounded by lush, green mountains that hide some of Thailand’s most inviting forests. Think teak groves, waterfalls tucked into jungle valleys, and trails where cicadas create a constant, buzzing soundtrack.

Forest bathing here feels different — more humid, more alive. You’ll find yourself slowing down not just because of the heat, but because the forest insists on it. It’s a full-sensory immersion: the smell of wet earth after rain, the call of gibbons in the distance, the feeling of air so thick it clings to your skin.

Most visitors base themselves in Chiang Mai, which is both lively and close to the mountains. From boutique stays in the old town to jungle lodges outside the city, the options are endless.

6. Udawattakele Sanctuary, Sri Lanka

Right on the edge of Kandy, Udawattakele is one of those places where city and forest almost overlap — but the moment you step in, the world outside disappears. Tall tropical trees form a green canopy, vines hang lazily across the path, and birds dart in and out of the undergrowth.

Because it’s close to an urban center, this sanctuary makes Shinrin-Yoku surprisingly accessible. Locals use it as a quiet escape from the chaos of daily life, and visitors often describe the atmosphere as “magically hushed.” It’s not the wildest forest you’ll ever visit, but maybe that’s what makes it special — the fact that calm can be this close to the city.

The sanctuary is just minutes from Kandy, one of Sri Lanka’s cultural capitals. Colonial-style hotels and homestays here give you easy access to the forest.

7. Nuuksio National Park, Finland

Only a short trip from Helsinki, Nuuksio feels worlds away. Here, dense pine forests wrap around mirror-like lakes, and wooden huts dot the edges like something out of a Nordic folk tale. The air is so clean it almost tastes different — crisp, resin-scented, tinged with the chill of northern winds.

For forest bathing, Nuuksio is practically ideal. Wide trails lead you deep into silence, but you can also just sit by a lake and watch the ripples spread, endlessly slow. If you’re lucky enough to come in autumn, the colors will leave you breathless: fiery golds, deep reds, and a low sun that turns everything copper.

Close to Nuuksio National Park, the city of Espoo makes a convenient jumping-off point. You’ll get modern hotels, lake views, and quick connections back to Helsinki.

8. Wye Valley, Wales, United Kingdom

The Wye Valley straddles the border between England and Wales, but what matters most here is the feeling: ancient woodlands, gentle hills, and a river that curves through it all like a silver ribbon. It’s officially an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty — and for good reason.

Forest bathing here has a romantic quality. Maybe it’s the history (monasteries, poets, ruins hidden in the woods), or maybe it’s the soft light filtering through beech leaves. Either way, you’ll find yourself wandering slowly, almost dreamily. And yes, you’ll probably take more photos than you planned, but that’s part of the charm.

For a charming base in the Wye Valley, try Ross-on-Wye. It’s a historic market town with welcoming B&Bs and pubs that make you feel at home.

9. Muir Woods National Monument, California, USA

Just outside San Francisco lies one of the most humbling forests in the world. Muir Woods is home to coastal redwoods so tall they make your neck ache to see the top. The light filters down in golden shafts, the air is damp and earthy, and every sound feels hushed under the sheer weight of those giants.

This is forest bathing on a grand scale. You don’t walk here to cover distance; you walk to be dwarfed, to feel small, to let the enormity of nature press pause on your thoughts. On foggy mornings, it’s almost otherworldly.

To visit Muir Woods, many travelers stay in Mill Valley in Marin County. It’s a laid-back town with boutique hotels and rustic B&Bs tucked into the hills.

10. Tsugaru Quasi-National Park – Juniko Lakes, Japan

Tucked away in northern Honshu, Juniko (“twelve lakes”) is a patchwork of deep-blue ponds surrounded by thick forest. The most famous is Aoike, a pool so vividly blue it almost looks unreal. Trails connect the lakes, weaving through beech forests that feel calm, steady, and timeless.

Shinrin-Yoku here comes with an added layer of surprise — the stillness of the trees combined with sudden flashes of blue water. It’s a reminder that nature doesn’t just soothe, it also amazes. A perfect ending note for anyone chasing the deeper meaning of forest bathing.

To reach the Juniko Lakes, the city of Aomori is a practical base. It offers a good mix of business hotels and traditional ryokan for overnight stays.

How to Practice Shinrin-Yoku (Quick Tips)

You don’t need much to start. No special gear, no guided tours (though they exist in many places). Just time and a willingness to slow down. Switch your phone to airplane mode, pick a trail that isn’t crowded, and let yourself notice what you usually ignore. Touch the bark of a tree. Breathe in the earthy smell after rain. Sit quietly by a stream and just… stay there for a while. Two hours is ideal, but even twenty minutes works wonders.

Closing Thoughts

The beauty of Shinrin-Yoku is how simple it is. Step into the forest, and you’re already doing it. Whether you’re wandering through Japan’s cedar groves, pausing by a Welsh riverbank, or looking up at California’s redwoods, the effect is the same — your body slows, your mind softens, and the forest does the rest.

And here’s the best part: you don’t have to book a retreat or fly across the world to try it. Many of the treehouses and treetop walks featured on Treehousemap sit right in the middle of forests that are perfect for this kind of mindful wandering. So next time you’re planning a getaway, don’t just think about where you’ll sleep. Think about where you’ll breathe.

Cover photo by Krišjānis Kazaks on Unsplash