The “Shinrin-Yoku and Satoyama Retreat” invites you to reconnect with yourself in the heart of nature at Tsuchizawa Forest in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture. This program offers busy adults a quiet and fulfilling opportunity to enjoy their “own time.” Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and spend some time letting your mind and body breathe deeply. Through forest bathing, the scents of the forest, and the retreat experience, you can rediscover yourself in the autumnal satoyama landscape.
A Unique Satoyama Retreat
About 60% of Sagamihara City is covered by forest, and roughly 90% of those forests are located in the Tsukui region. The rich water nurtured by the mountains is essential to people’s daily lives.
One of the initiatives to pass on the beauty of Tsuchizawa Forest—a forest where the rich, ever-changing nature of the Tsukui region comes alive through the seasons—is the “Forest Bathing and Satoyama Retreat.”
Here, you can slow down and enjoy the simple feeling of “being in the moment.”
The venue is also conveniently located, just a five-minute drive from the KEN-O EXPWY Sagamihara IC.
Program
Refresh your mind and body with forest bathing and a scent workshop! The program is divided into morning and afternoon sessions, allowing participants to fully immerse themselves in nature.
| Morning | Forest bathing – Guided by a certified forest bathing facilitator (Shinrinyoku-Facilitator®), you will experience the quiet satoyama with all five senses. Emphasis is placed on “feeling” rather than acquiring knowledge, helping you release everyday thoughts and focus on the present moment. |
| Lunch | Enjoy a meal prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. This is a time to cherish yourself while connecting with nature, away from the busyness of daily life. |
| Afternoon | Forest Scent Workshop – Using branches pruned from the satoyama, you will make your own aroma water, balms, and other items. You can take the scents of the forest home as a souvenir. The plants available for crafting change with the seasons, offering new discoveries each time you visit. The program concludes with a cozy bonfire, allowing your mind to relax completely. |
<Example for the Forest Scent Workshop (First Half of 2025)>
January: Distillation of cypress leaves and balm-making
March: Distillation of cherry leaves and creation of cherry-scented spray
April: Mugwort oil and balm-making
May: Tea leaf picking
*The workshop contents may vary according to the season.
Event Details
| Dates | Session 1: Friday, October 24 (Backup: Friday, October 31) Session 2: Sunday, November 16 (Backup: Sunday, November 30) Session 3: Friday, December 5 (Backup: Friday, December 12) Session 4: Sunday, January 18 (Backup: Sunday, January 25) Session 5: Wednesday, March 18 (Backup: Wednesday, March 25) *Each session runs from 10:15 AM to 3:00 PM. In case of severe weather, the backup date will be used. |
| Location | Tsuchizawa Forest, 2142 Negoya, Midori Ward, Sagamihara City |
| Capacity | 8 participants per session (first-come, first-served) |
| Fee | 7,000 JPY (tax included, includes lunch and forest-scented souvenirs) *Parking fee: 550 JPY |
| Language | All session will be conducted in Japanese. For non-Japanese speakers, may bring their own interpreter if needed. |
*The program flow is the same for all five sessions.
Participant Reviews
Past participants have shared their experiences:
I felt so much life and energy among the small creatures here. I felt like a child again. Why am I always in such a hurry? To reach a destination? In this forest, you can enjoy ‘wasted’ time. Spending time with others allowed me to hear different perspectives, making the experience much richer.
I didn’t expect to be able to do so many things in this forest. Drinking tea here feels completely different. It made me realize how everything is connected. Unlike shopping at a store, this experience made me feel closer to nature and myself.
Instructor Profiles
Kaoru Aoki
Nurse and former nursing school instructor. Since 2010, she has led the “Tsuchizawa Forest Play Group,” guiding over 3,000 people through forest experiences over 13 years as a certified forest bathing facilitator.
Akiko Nishihara
In charge of the “Forest Scent Workshop” at Tsuchizawa Forest, serving as a Forest Bathing Facilitator, Forest ESD Instructor, and NEAL Instructor.
How to Apply
Those interested in participating can apply through the official website of Heritage Keeper,GK.
※Contact: heritagekeeper2021@gmail.com（Aoki）
The “Shinrin-Yoku and Satoyama Retreat” offers a special opportunity to reconnect with yourself and nature. With a small group size, you can fully enjoy the serenity of the forest. When you are tired of city life or want to reset your mind, the forest will warmly welcome you.
