An article today in the Yomiuri Shimbun highlights the rise of package holidays aimed at promoting physical and spiritual health. Here are two of the items, one involving ‘forest therapy’ in Nagano Prefecture, and one involving hiking on the Kumano pilgrimage trails (and resting on large rocks to absorb the vibes).
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March 17, 2014 The Yomiuri Shimbun
Forest therapy By Nana Ando
NAGANO—A nonprofit organization is promoting forest therapy, where tourists nourish their body and mind through physical exercises in forests in Iiyama, Nagano Prefecture.
The Tokyo-based Forest Therapy Society said there were 48 forest therapy bases across the nation as of the end of February. Iiyama was the first such lo-cation to be certified in the NPO’s inaugural inspection in April 2006.
A wide variety of experiences await in the city, including walking and yoga in the summer and trekking come winter time. About 1,500 people visit each year, mainly women in their 30s and 40s.
Located in a region with heavy snowfall, skiing used to be the city’s main tourist attraction in the winter, but the ski boom ended and tourist numbers have been falling year by year. However, the city government has expressed high expectations as forest therapy has been an effective draw in luring summertime tourists.
Fees change according to the seasons, but prices generally hover at about ¥15,000 for a two-day, one-night stay.
One of the more popular courses among middle-aged couples and women includes health checks in a city hospital, followed by nutritionally balanced, low-salt lunches.
“I hope visitors will take a second look at their everyday lifestyles by spending time in forests and using their five senses,” said Kenichi Takano, 37, manager of the Nabekura Kogen Mori no Ie accommodation facility.
Pilgrims making their way down the steps to the Nachi waterfall
Ancient pilgrimage By Eiko Negishi
TSU—In January, the city government of Owase and other munici-palities in Mie Prefecture began organizing walking tours on Kumano Kodo, an ancient pilgrimage route that is part of the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range, a World Heritage site.
Owase has been troubled by a declining population, prompting municipalities to promote walking tours as a beneficial activity for good health and beauty.
The city government and Mie University in Tsu jointly researched the health effects of walking on Kumano Kodo for three years, beginning in 2009. Results indicated that walking on stone pavements surrounded by greenery can reduce stress, based on data gathered from electrocardiograms and saliva analysis on participants.
The tours are guided by instructors who are well-versed not only in Kumano Kodo but also in healthy walking methods for effectively burning calories.
Twelve people participated in one of the February tours, in which participants walked through Magose Toge mountain pass on Kumano Kodo. They walked for about 4½ hours, occasionally lying down on big rocks.
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