Top

Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine

Published in:

01-01-2010 | Special Feature

Trends in research related to “Shinrin-yoku” (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing) in Japan

Authors: Yuko Tsunetsugu, Bum-Jin Park, Yoshifumi Miyazaki

Published in: Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine | Issue 1/2010

Abstract

“Shinrin-yoku”, which can be defined as “taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing”, has been receiving increasing attention in Japan in recent years for its capacity to provide relaxation and reduce stress. Since 2004, the authors of this paper have been involved in an investigation designed to ascertain the physiological effects of “Shinrin-yoku” within the framework of the “Therapeutic Effects of Forests” project. We have conducted physiological experiments, both in actual forests and in the laboratory, to elucidate the physiological effects on individuals of exposure to the total environment of forests or to only certain elements of this environment, such as the odor of wood, the sound of running stream water, and the scenery of the forest. We have obtained physiological measurements of central nervous activity, autonomic nervous activity, and biomarkers reflecting stress response that can be applied in this line of approach. Using these measurements, we have summarized the separate elements of forests in terms of the five senses. We have also reviewed a selection of field studies and introduced a number of results from ongoing projects as well as those from early studies. Future perspectives are also discussed.

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan. Trend survey on health and welfare in Japan; 2000.

Frumkin H. Beyond toxicity: human health and the natural environment. Am J Prev Med. 2001;20(3):234–40.CrossRefPubMed

Villringer A, Chance B. Non-invasive optical spectroscopy and imaging of human brain function. Trends Neurosci. 1997;20(10):435–42.CrossRefPubMed

Shaw RA, Mansfield JR, Kupriyanov VV, Mantsch HH. In vivo optical/near-infrared spectroscopy and imaging of metalloproteins. J Inorg Biochem. 2000;79:285–93.CrossRefPubMed

Oda M, Yamashita Y, Nakano T, Suzuki A, Shimizu K, Hirano I, et al. Near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy system for tissue oxygenation monitor. Proc SPIE. 2000;4160:204–10.CrossRef

Ohmae E, Ouchi Y, Oda M, Suzuki T, Nobesawa S, Kanno T, et al. Cerebral hemodynamics evaluation by near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy: Correlation with simultaneous positron emission tomography measurements. Neuroimage. 2006;29(3):697–705.CrossRefPubMed

Park BJ, Tsunetsugu Y, Kasetani T, Hirano H, Kagawa T, Sato M, et al. Physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the atmosphere of the forest)-using salivary cortisol and cerebral activity as indicators. J Physiol Anthropol. 2007;26(2):123–8.CrossRefPubMed

Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology the North American Society of Pacing Electrophysiology. Heart rate variability. Standards of measurement, physiological interpretation, and clinical use. Circulation. 1996; 93:1043–65.

Ohtomo N, Terachi S, Tanaka Y, Tokiwano K, Kaneko N. New method of time series analysis and its application to Wolf’s sunspot number data. Jpn J Appl Phys. 1994;33:2821–31.CrossRef

10.

Park BJ, Tsunetsugu Y, Morikawa T, Ishii H, Furuhashi S, Hirano H, et al. Physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the atmosphere of the forest) (5) Results of field tests at 24 sites throughout Japan. J Physiol Anthropol. 2007;26(6):608.

11.

Chatterton RT Jr, Vogelsong KM, Lu YC, Ellman AB, Hudgens GA. Salivary alpha-amylase as a measure of endogenous adrenergic activity. Clin Physiol. 1996;16(4):433–48.CrossRefPubMed

12.

Yamaguchi M, Deguchi M, Wakasugi J, Ono S, Takai N, Higashi T, et al. Hand-held monitor of sympathetic nervous system using salivary amylase activity and its validation by driver fatigue assessment. Biosens Bioelectron. 2006;21(7):1007–14.CrossRefPubMed

13.

Martin RA, Dobbin JP. Sense of humor, hassles, and immunoglobulin. A evidence for a stress-moderating effect of humor. Int J Psychiatry Med. 1988;18(2):93–105.PubMed

14.

Yamada F, Miyata Y, Takenaka K, Tanaka K. Secretory IgA as an index of stress reactivity (in Japanese). Bull Osaka Prefect Coll Nurs. 1995;1(1):47–50.

15.

Henningsen GM, Hurrell JJ Jr, Baker F, Douglas C, MacKenzie BA, Robertson SK, et al. Measurement of salivary immunoglobulin A as an immunologic biomarker of job stress. Scand J Work Environ Health. 1992;18 Suppl. 2:133–6.PubMed

16.

Tsunetsugu Y, Miyazaki Y. Correlation between baseline value and amount of change in salivary cortisol concentration and salivary immunoglobulin A concentration. J Physiol Anthropol. 2007;26(6):612.

17.

Suda R, Yamaguchi M, Hatakeyama E, Kikuchi T, Miyazaki Y, Sato M. Effect of visual stimulation (I)-in the case of good correlation between sensory evaluation and physiological response. J Physiol Anthropol Appl Hum Sci. 2001;20(5):303.

18.

Lee JM, Watanuki S. Cardiovascular responses of Type A and Type B behavior patterns to visual stimulation during rest, stress, and recovery. J Physiol Anthropol. 2007;26(1):1–8.CrossRefPubMed

19.

Tsunetsugu Y, Miyazaki Y, Sato H. Visual effects of interior design in actual-size living rooms on physiological responses. Build Environ. 2005;40(10):1341–6.CrossRef

20.

Tsunetsugu Y, Miyazaki Y, Sato H. Physiological effects in humans induced by the visual stimulation of room interiors with different wood quantities. J Wood Sci. 2007;53(1):11–6.CrossRef

21.

The Government Housing Loan Corporation, Japan. Survey on architectural details of the one-unit houses using government housing loan; 1992.

22.

Tokin BP, Kamiyama K. A Mysterious phytoncide in plants (in Japanese). Tokyo, Kodansha; 1980.

23.

Takagi S, Shibuya T. Science of smell (in Japanese). Tokyo: Asakura Publishing Co.; 1989.

24.

Miyazaki Y, Morikawa T, Yamamoto N. Effect of wooden odoriferous substances on humans. J Physiol Anthropol Appl Hum Sci. 1999;18(5):189.

25.

Itai T, Amayasu H, Kuribayashi M, Kawamura N, Okada M, Momose A, et al. Psychological effects of aromatherapy on chronic hemodialysis patients. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2000;54(4):393–7.CrossRefPubMed

26.

Hiruma T, Yabe H, Sato Y, Sutoh T, Kaneko S. Differential effects of the hiba odor on CNV and MMN. Biol Psychol. 2002;61(3):321–31.CrossRefPubMed

27.

Miyazaki Y, Motohashi Y, Kobayashi S. Changes in mood by inhalation of essential oils in humans II. Effect of essential oils on blood pressure, heart rate, R–R intervals, performance, sensory evaluation and POMS (in Japanese). Mokuzai Gakkaishi. 1992;38(10):909–13.

28.

Tsunetsugu Y, Morikawa T, Miyazaki Y. The relaxing effect of the smell of wood (in Japanese). Wood Ind. 2005;60(11):598–602.

29.

Dayawansa S, Umeno K, Takakura H, Hori E, Tabuchi E, Nagashima Y, et al. Autonomic responses during inhalation of natural fragrance of Cedrol in humans. Auton Neurosci. 2003;108(1–2):79–86.CrossRefPubMed

30.

Buchbauer G, Jirovetz L, Jäger W, Plank C, Dietrich H. Fragrance compounds and essential oils with sedative effects upon inhalation. J Pharm Sci. 1993;82(6):660–4.CrossRefPubMed

31.

Umeno K, Hori E, Tsubota M, Shojaku H, Miwa T, Nagashima Y, et al. Effects of direct cedrol inhalation into the lower airway on autonomic nervous activity in totally laryngectomized subjects. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2008;65(2):188–96.CrossRefPubMed

32.

Tsuchiya T, Tanida M, Uenoyama S, Nakayama Y, Ozawa T. Effects of olfactory stimulation on the sleep time induced by pentobarbital administration in mice. Brain Res Bull. 1991;26(3):397–401.CrossRefPubMed

33.

Komori T, Matsumoto T, Motomura E, Shiroyama T. The sleep-enhancing effect of valerian inhalation and sleep-shortening effect of lemon inhalation. Chem Senses. 2006;31(8):731–7.CrossRefPubMed

34.

Tanida M, Niijima A, Shen J, Nakamura T, Nagai K. Olfactory stimulation with scent of lavender oil affects autonomic neurotransmission and blood pressure in rats. Neurosci Lett. 2006;398(1–2):155–60.CrossRefPubMed

35.

Sakuragawa S, Kaneko T, Miyazaki Y. Effects of contact with wood on blood pressure and subjective evaluation. J Wood Sci. 2008;54(2):107–13.CrossRef

36.

Miyazaki, Morikawa T, Sueyoshi S. Effect of touching to wood on humans. J Physiol Anthropol Appl Hum Sci. 1999;18(5):189.

37.

Mishima R, Kudo T, Tsunetsugu Y, Miyazaki Y, Yamamura C, Yamada Y. Effects of sounds generated by a dental turbine and a stream on regional cerebral blood flow and cardiovascular responses. Odontology. 2004;92(1):54–60.CrossRefPubMed

38.

Miyazaki Y, Motohashi Y. Forest environment and physical response. In: Agishi Y, Ohtsuka Y, editors. Recent progress in medical balneology and climatology. Hokkaido: Hokkaido University; 1995. p. 67–77.

39.

Ohtsuka Y, Yabunaka N, Takayama S. Shinrin-yoku (forest-air bathing and walking): effectively decreases blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. Int J Biometeorol. 1998;41(3):125–7.CrossRefPubMed

40.

Ohira H, Takagi S, Masui K, Oishi M, Obata A. Effect of Shinrin-yoku (forest-air bathing and walking): On mental and physical health (in Japanese). Bull Tokai Women’s Coll. 1999;19:217–32.

41.

Morita E, Fukuda S, Nagano J, Hamajima N, Yamamoto H, Iwai Y, et al. Psychological effects of forest environments on healthy adults: Shinrin-yoku (forest-air bathing, walking) as a possible method of stress reduction. Public Health. 2007;121(1):54–63.CrossRefPubMed

42.

Tsunetsugu Y, Park BJ, Ishii H, Hirano H, Kagawa T, Miyazaki Y. Physiological Effects of Shinrin-yoku (Taking in the Atmosphere of the Forest): In an Old-Growth Broadleaf Forest in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. J Physiol Anthropol. 2007;26(2):135–42.CrossRefPubMed

43.

Li Q, Nakadai A, Matsushima H, Miyazaki Y, Krensky AM, Kawada T, et al. Phytoncides (wood essential oils) induce human natural killer cell activity. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2006;28(2):319–33.CrossRefPubMed

44.

Li Q, Morimoto K, Nakadai A, Inagaki H, Katsumata M, Shimizu T, et al. Forest bathing enhances human natural killer activity and expression of anti-cancer proteins. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2007;20(2 Suppl 2):3–8.PubMed

45.

Li Q, Morimoto K, Kobayashi M, Inagaki H, Katsumata M, Hirata Y, et al. Visiting a forest, but not a city, increases human natural killer activity and expression of anti-cancer proteins. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2008;21(1):117–27.PubMed

46.

Li Q, Morimoto K, Kobayashi M, Inagaki H, Katsumata M, Hirata Y, et al. A forest bathing trip increases human natural killer activity and expression of anti-cancer proteins in female subjects. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2008;22(1):45–55.PubMed

47.

Takayama N, Kagawa T, Kasetani T, Park BJ, Tsunetsugu Y, Oishi Y, et al. The comfortableness of the light/thermal environment for bathing in the forest atmosphere (in Japanese). Land Res J. 2005;68(5):819–24.

48.

Ohira T, Matsui N, Takayama N, Kagawa T, Koyama Y, Fujisawa M, Masaki S. Volatile substances released from forests II (in Japanese). Abstracts 2005 Annu Meet Chub Branch Jpn Wood Res Soc. Japanese Wood Research Society, 2005; 64–5.

49.

Matsui N, Ohira T, Takayama N, Inoue M, Kagawa T, Koyama T. Volatile substances released from forests III (in Japanese). Abstracts 2005 Annu Meet Chub Branch Jpn Wood Res Soc. Japanese Wood Research Society, 2005; 66–7.

50.

Toda M, Makino H, Kobayashi H, Morimoto K. Health effects of a long-term stay in a spa resort. Arch Environ Occup Health. 2006;61(3):131–7.CrossRefPubMed

51.

Kanamaru Y, Kikukawa A, Shimamura K. Salivary chromogranin-A as a marker of psychological stress during a cognitive test battery in humans. Stress. 2006;9(3):127–31.CrossRefPubMed

52.

Hartig T, Evans GW, Jamner LD, Davis DS, Gärling T. Tracking restoration in natural and urban field settings. J Environ Psychol. 2003;23:109–23.CrossRef

53.

Herzog TR, Maguire CP, Nebel MB. Assessing the restorative components of environments. J Environ Psychol. 2003;23:159–70.CrossRef

54.

Korpela KM, Hartig T, Kaiser FG, Fuhrer U. Restorative experience and self-regulation in favorite places. Environ Behav. 2001;33(4):572–89.CrossRef

55.

Lauman K, Gärlin T, Stormark KM. Selective attention and heart rate responses to natural and urban environments. J Environ Psychol. 2003;23:125–34.CrossRef

56.

Shin WS, Kwon HG, Hammitt WE, Kim BS. Urban forest park use and psychosocial outcomes: a case study in six cities across South Korea. Scand J For Res. 2005;20(5):441–7.CrossRef

57.

Shin WS. The influence of forest view through a window on job satisfaction and job stress. Scand J Forest Res. 2007;22(3):248–53.CrossRef

58.

Van den Berg AE, Koole SL, Wulp NY. Environmental preference and restoration: (How) are they related? J Environ Psychol. 2003;23:135–46.CrossRef

Title: Trends in research related to “Shinrin-yoku” (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing) in Japan
Authors: Yuko Tsunetsugu
Bum-Jin Park
Yoshifumi Miyazaki
Publication date: 01-01-2010
Publisher: Springer Japan
Published in: Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine / Issue 1/2010
Print ISSN: 1342-078X
Electronic ISSN: 1347-4715
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12199-009-0091-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Trends in research related to “Shinrin-yoku” (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing) in Japan

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 1/2010

Association between dioxin concentrations in breast milk and food group intake in Vietnam

Forest experience and psychological health benefits: the state of the art and future prospect in Korea

Effect of forest bathing trips on human immune function

The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing): evidence from field experiments in 24 forests across Japan

Association between interpersonal relationship among high-school students and mental health

Promoting human health through forests: overview and major challenges