Guide Training Immersion 4-Days
Japan, Yakushima – Shikino Yado – November 2027
- November 7, 2027
- to
- November 11, 2027
- Enrollment Open
An opportunity to connect with other guides from other cohorts and learn from the shared experiences.
If you have completed at least module 4 and submitted the corresponding assignments, of the six-month remote Forest Therapy Guide Training you’re eligible to apply. Completion of this immersion and the six-month training fulfills the requirements for full Certification. When space is available, ANFT-trained guides who have completed training in any past cohort can also participate. Please note that priority goes to students who need to take the immersion to get fully certified. Therefore, when you apply, you’ll be put on a waitlist until three weeks before the start of the immersion.
A 4 day in-person gathering, with 1 or 2 trainers, and people from different cohorts where you will have the opportunity to apply what you learned, experience in-person forest therapy walks and simply connect and share experiences and stories with other guides.
In this immersion, you will:
- Get a hands on experience of what you learned
- Get to know trainers personally
- Get to know other guides and connect
- Learn from shared experiences with other guides
- Deepen into the practice
- Get the opportunity to ask specific questions that might come up
Once you complete this four-day immersion, your certification will be moved from provisional to permanent. You have two years after you complete the six month core training course to complete an immersion. It will help to give you a sense of the community of guides that has grown and is active throughout the world.
About the Venue
Shikino Yado
Yakushima is a subtropical island, a part of Kagoshima Prefecture in Japan. It is covered by an extensive cedar forest that contains some of Japan’s oldest living trees, famously called Yakusugi, which are more than 1000 years old and some of which may be over 7000 years old. The lives, culture, and traditions of the people of Yakushima have been nurtured through their deep connection with nature.
With over 70 species of endemic plants, other flora and shores teeming with sea life, villagers on Yakushima enjoy a plentiful bounty of seafood and edible plants. But the water cycle also plays another important role in their everyday life. Most of Yakushima’s electricity is hydroelectric, making it an ideal island for eco-friendly stays.
Yakushima’s wet climate gives life to dramatic ravines, flowing rivers, and stunning green coats of moss, simply ideal for a forest therapy program! Also, wild, mysterious, and untouched ancient cedar forests are well protected by both the gods of folklore and a UNESCO World Heritage designation. This woodland kingdom served as the inspiration for the magical backgrounds of Studio Ghibli’s “Princess Mononoke”.
While the otherworldly cedar forests are Yakushima’s famous scene with various well-marked hiking trails, ranging from 1 to 12 hours in durations, the bountiful rainfall creates impressive waterfalls, one of which can be approached by kayak. Furthermore, the island is home to several simple and wild onsen (hot spring spots) such as the sea baths offering natural rock pools right on the edge of the ocean.
Lodging
𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗻. The equivalent that is provided in USD is an estimate only and based on current conversion rates at the time of publishing. Visit www.xe.com for the latest conversion rates.
The 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗲𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻. It includes 𝟰 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 + 𝟰 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀 + 𝟰 𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀, and is in addition to the tuition paid to ANFT.
Depending on the room type, the accommodation fees will range from 43,000 Yen – 80,000 Yen ($300 – $550).
Room types include:
– Japanese rooms with tatami
– Western rooms with beds
– Cottage rooms with futons
– Bungalows with futons
𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀:
1. Most rooms are on a sharing basis.
2. There are very limited single/private rooms.
3. All participants must stay on site.
4. Due to capacity issues, we are not able to accommodate your spouse, partner and family.
Once you register for this immersion, you will receive more information about the different room types and room booking process.
Accommodation Fee is paid directly to Shikino Yado on the day of your check-in.
Meals
𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 & 𝗠𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗦
𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻. We start with dinner on 7 November 2027 and end with breakfast on 11 November 2027.
Breakfasts and dinners are prepared by Shikino Yado.
For lunches, the training team will organise 3 pack lunches for everyone across 8 – 10 November 2027.
𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲:
𝗨𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆, 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀. 𝗡𝗼 𝘃𝗲𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻, 𝘃𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗻, 𝗴𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗻-𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲.
The fee for packed lunches is not included in the Accommodation Fee. You will need to pay 𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗙𝗲𝗲 (please see below).
———————————————————————————–
𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗘𝗢𝗨𝗦 𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗦
The Miscellaneous Fee covers 3 packed lunches, to/fro transportation to venue(s) during our 4-day immersion programme, cultural exchanges and professional talks etc.
The Miscellaneous Fee is expected to cost between 24,000 Yen – 35,000 Yen per person, depending on the final enrollment number. Nearer to the immersion, the Training Team will update everyone on the final amount for the Miscellaneous Fee. The Miscellaneous Fee will be 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 (𝗶𝗻 𝗬𝗲𝗻) 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺
on the day of check-in.
Transportation
𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗬𝗮𝗸𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗺𝗮
Option 1. Domestic flights from Kagoshima, Fukuoka or Osaka Itami.
Option 2. High-speed jetfoil boat from Kagoshima Port.
𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝗬𝗮𝗱𝗼
– Shikino Yado is situated at the southern part of Yakushima.
– By car, it is a 30 min drive from the Yakushima airport, 50 min from the Miyanoura port and 20 min from the Anbo port.
– Public buses run at low frequency from the airport and ports. From the Nakano bus stop, it is a 5 minute walk to Shikino Yado.
– The training team will share detailed information with trainees who have officially enrolled.
𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻
We will be heading out to a different venue on at least one day of the immersion. To/fro transportation will be arranged for the group. This is not included in the Accommodation Fee. You will need to pay 𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗙𝗲𝗲
(please see below).
Schedule Details
Arrival
Arrival and registration: 7 Nov 2027, between 2 – 4 pm
Welcome circle: 7 Nov 2027, 4 – 5:30 pm
Departure
Closing and check out: 11 Nov 2027, 12:30 pm
General Notes
Connectivity: Wifi is available around Shikino Yado.
Venue Policies:
No smoking.
No pets allowed.
No fire allowed.
– 21 or less days before the immersion, 30% of the accommodation fee will be charged.
– 7 or less days before the immersion, 50% of the accommodation fee will be charged.
Cancellations made 1 day before or on the day of the immersion will have the accommodation fee charged in full.
– Exception: No cancellation fee will be charged if you are unable to travel to Yakushima due to flight or ferry cancellations caused by weather or other transportation disruptions.
Tuition
The tuition for the four-day immersion is 495 (USD). Wait to pay until you are ready to register for a specific immersion. You will have two years from the completion of your core guide training to do the immersion.
Immersion tuition does not include transportation, lodging or camping fees and food. These expenses are separate from the program costs for the four-day immersion and are the responsibility of the trainee.
IMPORTANT: Please wait until you receive enrollment confirmation before booking travel and lodging.
Tuition figures are subject to change.
Training Team
- Makiko Sugishita
- Makiko is a Forest Therapy Guide and Therapist, based in Yakushima/Japan, where the first nature and forest medical research activities were conducted in the world. She is the first Japanese trained guide by ANFT and also certified by Forest Therapy Society in Japan. Since she moved to Yakushima in October 2020, she has been guiding over 500 people in her Kaleidoscope “deep shinrin-yoku” program. Prior to becoming the guide, for 20 years she has been involved in various international projects with JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) and other UN organizations, focusing on improving the health status of the vulnerable people especially in Africa and Southeast Asia regions. In addition to being a guide, she is currently delegated to be ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) global advisor for the School Board in Yakushima, giving lectures for teachers and pupils. She is also the Board member of Yakushima Onoaida clinic run by her husband who is engaged in forest medical research activities. She holds B.A. in international law from Kansai University in Japan, M.A. in Public Health (international health) from Johns Hopkins University, and M.A. in Economic and Social Development from University of Pittsburgh in USA.
- Youmin Yap
- Youmin is one of Southeast Asia's pioneer ANFT certified forest therapy guides. She trained with Cohort 18 in 2017 and has since been offering the practice full-time. Together with her professional and academic backgrounds grounded in science and research, she excels in navigating the worlds of logic and quantification, as well as that of the subtler art of wellbeing. Having guided thousands of participants, Youmin has worked on various projects including designing bespoke journeys for global brands, wellness workshops for hotels and spas and MNCs, support programs for community groups etc. Her work has also been shared at various local and international conferences. Youmin founded Forest with You (formerly known as Xiu Nature Connections), an award-winning wellbeing entity based in Singapore. For the innovative and collaborative ways of bringing forest therapy into the urban landscape, the company was conferred the prestigious Singapore Tourism Board Awards: Outstanding Wellness Experience award for 2023 and 2024. As a trainer, Youmin has trained and mentored 16 cohorts of guides from all around the world. One of her greatest joys is supporting and witnessing each individual’s discovery of their unique stories and offering their gifts to the world as they embark on the journey. She is also a qualified educator, a Certified Shinrin-Yoku International Instructor, and is trained in Yoga Nidra, Yoga (200 YTT), Forest Therapy Trail Consultancy and Mindfulness. She holds a Master’s in Science (Life Sciences) and is fluent in English and Mandarin/Chinese. Youmin currently spends time in Singapore and Thailand.
Certification Pathway
STEP 1
6-Month Remote Training
You will start with a 6-month remote training, covering the content on live calls with the support of your trainers, fellow students, a very user friendly learning platform, many self exploration and nature connection activities that are done outside. After completing this training you get a provisional certification as a Certified Forest Therapy Guide. To view the available trainings scroll down
STEP 2
4-Day In-Person Immersion
After completing module 4 you can apply to attend a 4-day in-person immersion, for hands on forest therapy guiding experience with trainers and fellow students. You have two years time to complete this step.
STEP 3
Get Your Certification
After completing the 6-month remote training and the 4-day in- person immersion, you will receive your permanent certification as an ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Guide and be part of the largest Forest Therapy Guide Community Worldwide.