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Japan’s Ancient Wellness Secrets: What the Country’s Health Practices Can Teach Us

On a trip to Japan there are many lessons to learn about effective approaches to healthy living, say the experts at Holafly

Japan consistently ranks among the world’s healthiest nations. With one of the highest life expectancies globally, the lowest rates of obesity in the developed world, and a culture that has refined the relationship between daily life and wellbeing over centuries, Japan offers a living model of health practices that Western audiences are only beginning to understand. For UK women interested in natural health, a trip to Japan is not just a holiday. It is an education in how a society can structure itself around the principles of long, healthy living.

Shinrin-yoku: The science behind forest bathing

The Japanese concept of shinrin-yoku, which translates literally as forest bathing, is the practice of spending time in forested environments for health benefit. It is not hiking, not exercise, not meditation in any formal sense. It is simply being present in the forest, breathing the air, and allowing the sensory environment to work on the body.

The scientific evidence behind shinrin-yoku has accumulated substantially since the Japanese Forestry Agency first promoted it in the 1980s. Research published in environmental health journals has documented measurable reductions in cortisol levels, blood pressure, and heart rate following even short periods of time in forested environments compared to urban settings. Natural compounds called phytoncides, released by trees as part of their own immune defence, have been shown to increase natural killer cell activity in humans for up to a month after a forest bathing session.

In Japan, designated shinrin-yoku trails exist throughout the country, certified for their therapeutic potential. Nara, with its ancient cedar forests and deer park, is one of the most accessible locations for UK visitors seeking this experience. The deer that roam freely through the park add an element of wildlife encounter that deepens the sensory immersion.

Onsen culture: The therapeutic hot spring tradition

Japan sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, which means natural hot springs are found throughout the country, from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south. The culture of onsen bathing, soaking in these mineral-rich geothermal waters, is woven into Japanese life in a way that has no equivalent in Western culture.

The minerals in onsen water vary by location. Sulphur-rich waters are associated with skin benefits and respiratory health. Sodium bicarbonate springs leave the skin exceptionally soft and are known in Japan as bijin-no-yu, the beauty spring. Iron-rich springs have been used traditionally to support circulation. Modern research has begun to document what Japanese communities have experienced empirically for generations.

“Sodium bicarbonate springs leave the skin exceptionally soft and are known in Japan as bijin-no-yu, the beauty spring.”

Funaoka Onsen in Kyoto’s Kita Ward, rated 4.3 from nearly 1,500 reviews and open Wednesday through Monday from 3 pm to 11:30 pm, with Sunday opening from 8 am, is one of the most atmospheric traditional sentos accessible to visitors. The wooden carvings, multiple bath varieties including outdoor pools, and the genuine neighbourhood character make it an authentic introduction to onsen culture rather than a tourist-oriented experience. Reviewers specifically note the therapeutic atmosphere and the welcoming attitude towards foreign visitors.

Staying connected during your wellness journey

For UK women planning a wellness-focused trip to Japan, practical logistics matter as much as the itinerary itself. Japan sits outside the EU, meaning post-Brexit UK carrier roaming charges apply. EE, Vodafone, and O2 all charge daily fees for data access in Japan ranging from £2 to £15 depending on your plan. Over a two-week trip, this adds £28 to £210 to your phone bill before a single activity is booked.

Holafly’s eSIM in Japan activates via QR code from home before you leave the UK, connects to local Japanese networks from the moment you land, and keeps your UK number active on your physical SIM for calls and texts. In a country where navigation requires Google Maps, accommodation booking uses apps, and finding your designated forest bathing trail means GPS access, reliable data from arrival makes a practical difference to the quality of the experience.