The goal of nature therapy research is to elucidate the “interaction between humans and nature.” We use data on the functions of brain (e.g., using near-infrared spectroscopy), autonomic nervous system (e.g., heart rate variability and blood pressure), endocrine system (e.g., cortisol in saliva), and immune system (e.g., NK cell activity) as physiological indicators. The experiments are conducted in outdoor fields, such as forests or parks, as well as indoors (single or combined stimulation for each sense in an artificial climate room). By clarifying the physiological relaxation effect of nature therapy, we will contribute to stress reduction, which is currently a social problem. From the perspective of preventive medicine, this study is also expected to contribute to decreasing medical costs.
News & Topics
- 2024.04.09
A new paper entitled Mood and physiological effects of visual stimulation with images of the natural environment in individuals with depressive and anxiety disorders has been published in the Journal of Affective Disorders (IF:6.6). - 2024.01.23
A press release was issued on the results of joint research with Nomura Real Estate Development Co., Ltd.
Nomura Real Estate and Chiba University Joint Research “Seascape Relaxes the Human Body” Elucidation of Relaxation on Brain and Autonomic Nervous Activities - 2023.12.21
A new paper entitled Current status of "Forest bathing without forest" research in Japan has been published in 18th International conference Days of Applied Psychology -Current challenges in psychological science Conference Proceedings. - 2023.10.04
The 2022 edition of Science-wide Author Databases of Standardized Citation Indicators, jointly compiled by Stanford University and Elsevier Publishing, based on the Scopus citation database, has been released.
Approximately 210,000 researchers worldwide were selected, with Emeritus Professor Yoshifumi Miyazaki ranked 109,241 and Assistant Professor Harumi Ikei ranked 181,283. - 2023.09.16
An interview with Emeritus Professor Yoshifumi Miyazaki was published in the German newspaper of Süddeutsche Zeitung*. *Reprinted with permission from the publisher. - 2023.07.14
An article entitled 5 Japanese books that will teach you a lot about ultimate health, beauty and success in The Free Press Journal introduced Emeritus Professor Yoshifumi Miyazaki's book. - 2023.07.14
An article entitled Swiss forest bathing: What it is, how to do it and why you should hug a tree today in The Swiss Times introduced Emeritus Professor Yoshifumi Miyazaki's research. - 2023.07.12
A new paper entitled Physiological effects of visual stimulation by a Japanese low wooden table: a crossover field experiment has been published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - 2023.04.27
Emeritus Professor Yoshifumi Miyazaki made a press release about Sounds from Nature: A Soothing Remedy for Gambling Addiction.
Click here for the main text of the press release.
The following eight news websites have published this press release.
Newswise Medindia sciencenewsnet.in Medical News Medical XPress ScienMag Mirage News Bioengineer - 2023.04.23
In a bibliometric analysis article published in Healthcare (IF: 2.01), "Nature Therapy Project, Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences" and "Dr. Harumi Ikei and Dr. Yoshifumi Miyazaki" were introduced as the most prominent group and authors in the world in nature therapy research. - 2023.04.13
A webinar (in Portuguese) on forest bathing was held on the YouTube channel of Japan House São Paulo, Brazil. - 2023.04.05
A new paper entitled Physiological adjustment effect of visual stimulation by fresh rose flowers on sympathetic nervous activity has been published in Frontiers in Psychology (IF:4.232). - 2023.03.29
An article (in Spanish) on forest bathing research has been published in MONTES Magazine (founded in 1868, Spain), the third oldest forestry magazine in the world. - 2023.03.27
A new paper entitled Relaxation effect of nature sound exposure on gambling disorder patients: a crossover study has been published in Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine (IF:2.381). - 2023.01.19
A dialogue between Emeritus Professor Yoshifumi Miyazaki and a Swiss artist, Art and Nature (30 minutes), was broadcast on the Swiss Embassy Podcast. - 2022.12.29
A new paper entitled Physiological and psychological responses of viewing a waterfall image: a crossover study has been published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IF:4.614). - 2022.10.18
Dr. Harumi Ikei, Dr. Hyunju Jo, and Dr. Yoshifumi Miyazaki are editing the MDPI Topic Nature Therapy: The Physiological Effects of Nature on Humans. The Topic is now accepting abstract submissions through 25 October 2023 and manuscript submissions through 25 December 2023. Looking forward to receiving and hearing about your amazing research! - 2022.10.15
A new paper entitled Effects of visual stimulation using wooden-wall images with different amounts of knots on psychological and physiological responses has been published in Wood Science and Technology (IF:2.898). - 2022.09.26
A new paper entitled Seasonal differences in physiological responses to walking in urban parks has been published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IF:4.614). - 2022.09.15
A new paper entitled Physiological and psychological benefits of viewing an autumn foliage mountain landscape image among young women has been published in Forests (IF:3.282). - 2022.05.14
A video interview with Dr. Yoshifumi Miyazaki by Dr. Marlo Thurman, President of the US Autism Association, was available on Youtube. - 2022.04.14
Our flower therapy research was selected as the Japanese research result (poster presentation) presented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries at the international horticultural exposition Floriade being held in the Netherlands (April to October). - 2022.03.29
Grand opening of our new website. - 2021.07.15
A new paper entitled Effects of forest-derived visual, auditory, and combined stimuli has been published in Urban Forestry and Urban Greening (IF:4.537). - 2021.05.20
A new paper entitled The Mood-Improving Effect of Viewing Images of Nature and Its Neural Substrate has been published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IF:3.390). - 2020.12.6
A new paper entitled Comparing the impact of forest walking and forest viewing on psychological states has been published in Urban Forestry and Urban Greening (IF:4.537). - 2020.11.26
A new paper entitled Physiological Effects of Visual Stimulation Using Knotty and Clear Wood Images among Young Women has been published in Sustainability (IF:3.251). - 2020.09.29
A new paper entitled Individual differences in the psychological effects of forest sounds based on type A and type B behavior patterns has been published in Urban Forestry and Urban Greening (IF:4.537). - 2020.08.14
A new paper entitled Effect of Viewing Real Forest Landscapes on Brain Activity has been published in Sustainability (IF:3.251). - 2020.07.29
A new paper entitled Association between the Psychological Effects of Viewing Forest Landscapes and Trait Anxiety Level has been published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IF:3.390). - 2020.07.24
A new paper entitled Relaxing Effect Induced by Forest Sound in Patients with Gambling Disorder has been published in Sustainability (IF:3.251). - 2020.06.21
A new paper entitled The Possibility of Sustainable Urban Horticulture Based on Nature Therapy has been published in Sustainability (IF:3.251). - 2020.04.22
A new paper entitled Positive physiological effects of touching sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) with the sole of the feet. has been published in Journal of Wood Science (IF:0.572).