On October 10, 2025, the Kyoto Model Forest Association held a “Public Lecture for Residents” to explore the vital role of forests in supporting Kyoto’s history, culture, and landscapes. Under the theme “Forests and Yojo (Holistic Self-care Therapy),” 23 participants gathered to learn how interacting with nature can revitalize both the environment and our own well-being.
The morning session, held at the Miyama Kayabuki Museum, featured a lecture titled “Forests and Yojo” by Dr. Kazunori Ito from the Meiji University of Integrative Medicine. He spoke about applying the wisdom of “Yojo”—the traditional East Asian practice of health cultivation—as a form of preventative therapy for modern life, emphasizing harmony with nature and the changing seasons.
In the afternoon, participants chose between two experiential therapy programs. One group practiced Moxibustion Therapy under the guidance of a licensed acupuncturist, using “Daiza-kyu” and “Hako-kyu” (box moxibustion) to warm the body and ease physical tension. The other group participated in a Forest Therapy session, which included a mindful forest walk and a “body scan” relaxation exercise on a yoga deck overlooking the woods.
The event concluded with positive feedback from participants, with many sharing that they felt deeply refreshed by the forest and inspired to incorporate “Yojo” principles into their daily self-care. We will continue to offer these therapeutic opportunities to share the importance of Kyoto’s forests and the many blessings they provide to our health and sustainable future.
This project was supported by the “Forest Fund for Green and Water” of the National Forestry Extension Association.
Forest Therapist (Shinrin-Therapist® in Japanese) is a registered trademark of the Forest Therapy Society.
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