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To further encourage Middle Eastern guests to visit and return to Kyoto, a new attraction known as Shinrin-yoku in Japanese, or ‘Forest Bathing’, is being touted as a new attraction to not only experience the natural beauty of Kyoto’s Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, but provide visitors with wellness effects that are reported as reducing stress and increasing wellbeing. 

Says Shuhei Akahoshi, Managing Director Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau: “Contemplative walks through the woods that reconnect the individual with nature can lead to decreased stress, natural mood elevation and even a stronger immune system. This means of mobile meditation has been recognized by the Japanese government since 1982 and has been endorsed by the Forest Agency of Japan as a means of improving quality of life. We invite visitors from the Middle East to share in this unique Kyoto experience, to not only enjoy the cultural, shopping and gourmet offerings that Kyoto is famous for, but also to return home feeling uplifted, healthy and inspired by nature.”

Forest Bathing can be enjoyed throughout the year, with each season providing its own unique experience. In addition to strolling along the bamboo grove paths, visitors have the option of traversing the groves by rickshaw. For female visitors, there is even the possibility of choosing a female rickshaw driver. 

Dr. Qing Li, President of the Japanese Society of Forest Medicine and senior professor at Nippon Medical School in Tokyo, has studied the effects of Forest Bathing and found that by using a mood profile, participants' feelings of stress, anxiety or anger had decreased through Forest Bathing experiences, and their perceptions of energy or vigour had improved. In two other related studies, Li and fellow researchers sent groups of young men and women on three-day trips that included several forest baths and a stay in a hotel in the middle of the forest. Blood tests taken before and after these trips showed a significant boost in natural killer cells, which play a vital role in the immune system's ability to fight off illness. Li speculated that forest bathing allows participants to breathe in air that contains essential oils from surrounding trees with active components such as limonene that have antimicrobial and immune-boosting properties.

To further promote Forest Bathing and Kyoto’s many attractions among the Middle East’s travel agencies, the Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau is participating at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) being held from 24 – 27 April, 2017 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Joining them are co-participants from the Hotel Granvia Kyoto and Japan Tour Operator Ayabex, which in conjunction with Cathay Pacific, are launching a number of special holiday packages with exceptional value, tailored to visitors from the United Arab Emirates, and allowing them to easily visit Kyoto and enjoy Forest Bathing. 

Among the packages are a 7-day family package for a minimum of 6 persons highlighting the best of Kyoto and Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, starting from AED 8,400 per person. The package includes return economy class flights from Dubai with Cathay Pacific, 3-star hotel accommodation with breakfasts, seat-in-coach tours in both Kyoto and Hokkaido and airport transfers by English-speaking drivers. Starting from AED 15,300 per person, the package can be easily upgraded with business class flights and accommodation at higher grade hotels such as the Sapporo Prince Hotel and Hotel Granvia Kyoto, which includes private tours in Hokkaido and Kyoto. (Packages do not include domestic flights between Hokkaido and Kyoto and seasonal surcharges might apply). The package is available through local U.A.E. travel agents and is valid until the end of December 2017. 

For further information regarding Kyoto visit the official Kyoto Travel Guide at: http://www.kyoto.travel/ 

Muslim travellers are encouraged to visit: http://kyoto.travel/muslim/