By Stana Luxford Oddie
I will never forget the memorable day-long experience alongside other ANFT trainers as we embarked on a Shinrin-yoku Discovery Journey to the ancient Asuka Village in Japan, led by Nagisa Ono founder of Future with Forest Association and her team of Shinrin-yoku facilitators.
That morning, I remember, while we visited the Asukakawakaminiimasu Usutakihimenomikotono Shinto Shrine, Shinrin-yoku Facilitator, Sumie Ojima quietly shared with me her mission of world peace, one walk at a time. Her energy felt so clear and full of life and love. I immediately felt inspired and excited to discover what other treasures the day would hold.
After a delicious and carefully prepared sit-down lunch, we were divided into two groups to experience a guided Shinrin-yoku walk. The whole experience was a delight, as we began by being introduced, in a heart-felt way, to the history of the land. Throughout our time, the facilitator circled back to awakening our five senses. What a joy it was to be invited to feel the sunlight with my hands as if my hands had become sunflowers stretching up to find the light, and to notice the contrasting coolness when away from the light. Or the connection that I received from a tree touching experience. Or the laughter and joy of smelling the soil from holes that we each playfully dug into the earth, as the gleeful and hearty shouts of ‘yahooo!!’ echoed down the valley I was taken by my first ever “Komorebi catch” using a simple piece of paper and sunlight to see the shadows cast by the bushes, trees, or any beings that happened to make a visit between the paper and the light. Later we ended our time together with a chance to rest quietly on a tarp spread on the earth, punctuated by a matcha tea ceremony, consisting of a sweet snack and matcha served to all of us with such love.
I am grateful to have had a Shinrin-yoku experience with my training colleagues, guided by Japanese Future with Forest Association facilitators. During our final sharing together at the end of our day, Nagisa explained, that during a guided Shinrin-yoku experience, the facilitators’ intentions are to share with others the importance of harmony between humans and nature, to weave into the guided experience the connection of everything within the cycles of the ecosystem, as well to remember the interconnectedness of the past, present and future. With those intentions, Shinrin-yoku supports the health and vitality of both people and the forests.
Nagisa also shared that the Future with Forest Association facilitators connect people with their five senses so they can experience the forest with their senses, by infusing people with the memory and history of the forest and by offering an opportunity to imagine the future. The sharing of Shinrin-yoku with the two organizations truly was a day to experience the Japanese expression: “Ichigoichie” – once in a lifetime meeting in this moment.
It was such a memorable experience that I felt called to set up another Shinrin-yoku experience with a Future with Forest Association facilitator before leaving Japan. I am grateful for the kind and patient guidance and hospitality from Nagisa Ono, Sumie Ojima and Yuri Adachi, who helped set up a solo Gokan – “Five Senses” Shinrin-Yoku walk in the heart of Tokyo. I was honoured to have Yuri personally guide me from the subway to a gem of an oasis named Shizen Kyoiku En_ (Park for Nature Study) to experience a Shinrin-yoku walk.
Adachi has been a Shinrin-yoku facilitator with Future with Forest Association since 2024. Based in the Tokyo Urban Forest, she offers forest bathing programs throughout the year. Her aim is to help urban residents feel a closer connection to nature and improve their well-being through forest bathing. By fostering harmony between people and nature, she strives to create a healthier environment for all.
Yuri was exceptionally hospitable, ensuring I had access to a washroom at the education centre, as well as a place to lock up my belongings so my load would be minimal. We took a moment for a sit down and Yuri continued to share more about the history of the forest within which we would be spending our two hours together. She also made sure to check in with how I was feeling before heading out into the forest.
We ventured down what Yuri called the Flower Road. We smelled and touched and marvelled until we landed at what felt to me was like a natural tree “Torii gate” where we took off our hats, bowed and entered the next part of the forest. Yuri invited us to move our bodies with some stretches and notice our breath, which felt enlivening and invigorating. I was profoundly supported into this presence by moving my body first.
With joy and playfulness, we started to notice the various “carpets” of the trails and roads we ventured on… flower petals, mosses, soil, grasses. Yuri kindly introduced me to the magnificent Story Telling Tree and shared a stunning vista, planting a seed for later in the walk, that we might encounter a different perspective. I was excited when, at one point, we brought out our “elephant ears” to enhance our hearing by cupping our hands behind our ears to make them bigger.
We crossed tiny bridges where many families and individuals were out with huge-lensed cameras taking pictures of the animals and the beauty of the calm still waters. It was truly a perfect day. To my delight, out came our Komorebi catch papers, as we played with sunlight and beings. At one point, I was cued to close my eyes, and Yuri gently led me to an incredible scene, a field of flowers with butterflies dancing. I felt pure bliss!
After we had been out for quite some time, Yuri invited us to have a rest on some benches in the shade of some tall trees. Out came her thermos and tiny brown paper cups. We enjoyed a matcha green tea and so many delicious Japanese treats. I was grateful for the different tastes and this very special time. With all my senses heightened my taste buds were strong.
Before I knew it, we were gazing upon the opposite side of the Story Telling Tree from a distance. Yuri gave me some space to lean against a large tree and rest. Before we passed back through the natural “Torii gates” created by the trees, Yuri invited in some more time for quiet meditation.
We completed our time back at the Centre at the tables where we had started, and Yuri checked in with how I was feeling post walk. We then had a little visit in the Centre. It was just what I needed. My system was asking for a little forest time after experiencing some of the excitement of Tokyo.
Since returning home, I think, and even dream about Japan almost every night. In my work here in Canada for Cataraqui Conservation guiding various ages in Forest Therapy and nature connection, stories and invitations come bubbling up from my time in Japan. What a wonderful time! I am touched deeply by the consistent kindness I received. My direct experiences with Shinrin-yoku have inspired me to stop and pause, to openly bow more often, and to remember the sacredness and beauty that can be found everywhere. My time in Japan reminds me of Thich Nhat Hanh’s calligraphy “Peace in oneself. Peace in the world.”
Based in Canada, Stana is a certified ANFT Forest Therapy Guide (cohort 6 in 2016) and a trainer (since 2018). She is in her 26th year as a nature educator with Cataraqui Conservation. Stana developed two Professional Development courses for guides: Guiding Forest Therapy for Children & Youth and Guiding Forest Therapy in Winter and Cold Weather. She is passionate about supporting relationship building and nature connection for all ages in all seasons.
Note: Special thanks to Yuri Adachi, Sumie Ojima, Nagisa Ono, Jim Barber, Anne Gallivan, Lachlan Oddie, Tam Willey, Gio Bosquealma, Mish Moore and Makiko Sugishita for your support in completing this blog post.