Japanese wellness tourism has hit new heights generating more than 14 billion in recent years. Find out why below.

Intro
Five of the Best Japanese Health and Wellness Practices
1. Onsen
2. Shinrin-yoku
3. Hara hachi bu
4. Wabi-sabi
5. KonMari
Bonus Recommendations

Intro

Japan has long been considered a major destination for those interested in the health and wellbeing of both body and mind. With a Japan Rail Pass in hand, you can travel the length and breadth of this beautiful country to discover the very best health and wellbeing practices Japan has to offer - perfect for those looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of their daily lives at home.

Rooted in centuries of tradition and refined by modern innovation, Japanese-inspired wellness practices offer a balanced, mindful path to wellbeing. From forest bathing to fermented superfoods, these trends promise not only to boost physical health but also to nurture mental and emotional resilience. With this in mind, we have curated a concise guide to some of the most inspiring Japanese wellness trends currently making waves around the globe. Each of these travel trends are designed to promote a healthy mind, body, and soul, and would make a wonderfully restorative activity during any trip to Japan.

Five of the Best Japanese Health and Wellness Practices

As the country who invented on-trend wellbeing practices such as mindfulness, Japan remains a world-leading destination for those seeking to restore their bodies and minds. Here are five of the best trends to consider trying while visiting Japan with a JR Pass for almost unlimited travel on the country’s trains: 

1. Onsen

In Japan, ‘onsen’ refers to natural hot springs, bathing facilities, and the traditional inns built around them. These heated geothermal springs often contain mineral-rich water, traditionally thought to have rejuvenating properties, hence their popularity. While their use in Japan dates back more than 1,000 years, travelling to onsen towns has remained a go-to getaway for relaxation for Japanese people and millions of international visitors. A significant reason for this is the beautiful natural landscapes surrounding many of these onsens, with different regions offering unique onsen experiences. In 2023 alone, 120.71 million people stayed at an onsen overnight in Japan. While every onsen is distinct, it is important to note that most require guests to bathe without clothing, and many prohibit entry to those with tattoos, although some are more accommodating. It is always best to check the onsen’s policy in advance.

There are many onsen resort towns across Japan to choose from. Beppu and Yufuin are hotspots in Kyushu, with baths overlooking the sea in Kagoshima, while Nagano boasts outdoor onsen frequented by Japanese snow monkeys. One of our recommendations would be Kinosaki - a small, pleasant and famous onsen town with seven public baths and many private ones at a diverse range of traditional ryokan inns. Kinosaki Onsen is located in the Kansai Area and is best visited from Kyoto or Osaka. There are different limited express services from both Kyoto and Osaka to Kinosaki Onsen, taking a little over 2 hours. Visitors coming from Tokyo or other regions in Japan can use bullet trains to travel to either Kyoto or Shin-Osaka stations and take a limited express train from there. Trains to Kinosaki-Onsen are covered by the JR Pass. Read more about Kinosaki in Visiting Kinosaki Onsen with the Japan Rail Pass. You can read much more about different kinds of onsen throughout Japan, more about their cultural significance, and the important etiquette and customs when visiting in our guide Relax and Unwind in an Onsen. Either way, they are a brilliant way to detox and cleanse the body and mind.

2. Shinrin-yoku

Shinrin-yoku is the Japanese practice of ‘forest bathing,’ which involves immersing yourself in the natural environment, typically forests, to connect with nature and reap the benefits for both your physical and mental health. Shinrin-yoku has also been adapted by the Western world, particularly in California, where it is used in conjunction with other forms of meditation such as yoga. Forest bathing has gradually increased in popularity in recent years, with the term receiving over a 5,000% increase in global online searches over the past month alone. Japan is blessed with plentiful forests across the country, so you’ll be spoilt for choice.

One of our recommendations would be Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in northwestern Kyoto near the base of the ‘storm mountains’. This spectacular bamboo grove is a wonder to behold and one of the most famous and beautiful forests in Japan. You can read a detailed guide to this forest and how to get there using your Japan Rail Pass in our guide Arashiyama Bamboo Forest: The Jewel of The Storm Mountains. Other recommended forests include... However, with more than 60% of Japan being covered with forests, you’ll have lots of others to choose from, including many within the country’s incredible National Parks. These are a great place to indulge in a forest bathing detox. 

3. Hara hachi bu

Hara hachi bu (also spelled hara hachi bun me) is a Confucian-inspired eating practice, mainly used by the people of Okinawa, which suggests eating until you are 80% full. Studies of this discipline have shown that it can help lower BMI, contributing to a longer life expectancy and a healthier overall lifestyle.

At a time when dangerous diets are often promoted online, hara hachi bu offers a balanced alternative, helping you to naturally reduce your calorie intake without the pressures of restrictive eating. For more on Japanese cuisine and its many health benefits, read our guide to A-Z guide to Japanese Ingredients or our guide to How To Cook Japanese Food at Home. 

4. Wabi-sabi

Wabi-sabi is a Japanese philosophy that emphasises the beauty of imperfection. While initially an aesthetic trend, it can also promote wellness in everyday life by allowing us to look at our flaws and accept them as a part of nature. Finding peace in impermanence, such as the cracks in a bowl or the withering of a flower, allows us to appreciate the past and present rather than focusing on the stress of the future. Similar to the art of kintsugi, where cracks in broken objects are repaired with gold, wabi-sabi encourages us to appreciate our lives as they are and recognise that our ‘cracks’ make us more beautiful.

5. KonMari

KonMari is an organisational trend created and popularised by Japanese organisation consultant Marie Kondo. This practice aims to help you declutter your home and, by extension, your mind by keeping only objects that ‘spark joy.’ The idea behind using this method for wellness is that a cluttered space often reflects a cluttered mind, and that by organising your belongings, you are also prompted to confront the sources of stress and anxiety in your life.

Bonus Recommendations

From spiritual tours of Japan to digital detoxes and ecotourism, our dedicated blog has a wealth of interesting articles focussed on Japanese wellness for mind and body. Here is a short selection for further reading.

• Looking to make a fresh start with your health and wellbeing? Read our guide on how to Detox in Japan.
• A Spiritual Guide to Japan is the best place to start for anyone interested in reconnecting with their spiritual side while discovering more about Japan’s centuries-old religious beliefs.
• Japan’s delicious cuisine is also known for being healthy, nutritious, and low-fat. As a starting point, try this guide to Getting Started with Green Tea - a favourite ingredient in Japan and a well-known antioxidant.
• Of course, it’s also important to stay active and Japan is the perfect place to get outdoors. Cycling is very popular in Japan and we’ve put together a list of the country’s Best Cycle Routes for you to discover.