2025.07 Deep forest bathing impressions

[Classmate of a veteran teacher (over 25 years!)]

What she needed most right now was forest time.

This year, my friend is the homeroom teacher for third graders at an Osaka elementary school.

Despite having a family, suffering from illness, and getting older, she is working really hard. In fact, on her first day on Yakushima, she was exhausted both physically and mentally.

To reward herself, she went to Yakushima and slept soundly in the forest.

I'm really glad we got to spend time together in the forests of Yakushima.

Thank you Mako.

Thank you so much to her sister and her kids for coming along too!

Here's a comment from her:

.................................... ..

"It was all a valuable experience.

The moment that made my heart warm the most was when I saw the shrine's torii gate. I prayed without my cell phone or anything else. It was a precious experience to know that I was about to enter the realm of the gods.

The good thing, and what made me feel better, was that I was able to have lunch, talk with the people I was with, and then take a nap while being watched over by the Yakusugi trees. I felt refreshed both physically and mentally in that place.

By taking a long nap that went beyond the scheduled time of the program, I was able to experience a feeling of refreshment that was recognized by myself and others.

The sounds of the forest, water, rain, birds, and insects all mixed together and created a very comfortable feeling.

And with all those beautiful green leaves, moss (it might have been the first time I'd ever seen moss properly), big trees, water...I felt like I'd been transported to another world.

The smell... it's hard to put into words... a scent you'd never experience in the city. But it felt somehow nostalgic, like I knew it... I've hardly ever been outdoors in my life, but... that's the feeling I got."