NEWS&PRESS
INFOM News on 5th INFOM International Symposium and Workshop on Forest Medicine during September 26-28, 2025
Last Updated:Nov 17, 2025
2025 INFOM International Seminar and Workshop
The 5th INFOM International Forest Medicine Seminar and Workshop was held on September 26-28, 2025 at Akasawa Natural Recreational Forest in Nagano prefecture, the birthplace of Forest Bathing in Japan.
Twenty-eight participants from 6 nations participated in the Academic Forest Medicine Seminar and Forest Bathing Workshop.
https://www.infom.org/symposiums/workshop_2025.html
On the first day (September 27), the participants received the following intensive scientific forest medicine lectures at Techno Plaza Okaya in Nagano prefecture.
Academic Seminar Program (September 27, 2025)
09:00-17:00
Program in the morning (9:00-12:30)
Chairperson
Prof. Qing Li, MD, PhD (Nippon Medical School, Vice-President of INFOM)
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Introduction of INFOM
Michiko Imai, MD, PhD, President of INFOM, 9:00-9:20 -
The effects of forest therapy (forest bathing/shinrin-yoku) on the human psycho-neuro-endocrino-immune network
Qing Li, MD, PhD, Prof of Nippon Medical School, Vice-President of INFOM, 9:20-10:20 -
The latest research findings on the health promotion and disease prevention effects of forest therapy (forest bathing/shinrin-yoku) using a randomized crossover study design on the human immune system
Qing Li, MD, PhD, Prof of Nippon Medical School, Vice-President of INFOM, 10:20-11:10 -
The effects of forest therapy (forest bathing/shinrin-yoku) on the human mental health
Norimasa, Takayama, Ph.D., Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 11:20-11:40 -
The activities of forest therapy (forest bathing/shinrin-yoku) in the birthplace of forest bathing in Japan (Akasawa Forests)
Shigeyoshi Kumeda, MD, Ph.D., Kiso Hospital, 11:40-12:10 -
Green space and health benefits for Chinese population: Evidence from epidemiological studies
Bo-Yi Yang, MD/PhD/ Prof., Sun Yat-Sen University, China, 12:10-12:30
Program in the afternoon (13:30-17:30)
Chairperson
Dr. Michiko Imai (President of INFOM)
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Randomized Controlled Trial on the Efficacy of Forest Walking Compared to Urban Walking in Enhancing Mucosal Immunity
Dr. Hiroko Ochiai, Medical Specialist in Forest Medicine Certificated by INFOM, 13:30～14:30 -
Research on the Differences Between Urban-Related and Forest-Related Stimuli (Indoor Experiments)
～Review of research by the Miyazaki Laboratory at Chiba University from 2016 to 2018～
Dr. Hiroshi Takayama, Medical Specialist in Forest Medicine Certificated by INFOM, 14:30～15:20 -
Practical Lecture on 「Shinrin Therapy® with Doctors」 by INFOM Forest Medicine Doctor
Dr. Mayumi Watanabe, Medical Specialist in Forest Medicine Certificated by INFOM, 15:20～15:40 -
Practical Lecture on 「Shinrin Therapy® with Doctors」 by INFOM Forest Medicine Doctor
Dr. Yoshinari Taniuchi, Medical Specialist in Forest Medicine Certificated by INFOM, 15:40～16:00 -
Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing ) in world natural heritage island Yakushima
Dr. Jun Fukuda, Medical Specialist in Forest Medicine Certificated by INFOM 16:00～16:30 -
Shibi Bamboo Forest: A Community-based Forest Therapy Model for Sustainability
Hung Chinyuan, 16:30～16:50
Q&A 16:50～17:10
On the second day (September 28), the participants received an intensive shinrin-yoku practice at a forest therapy base, Akasawa Natural Recreational Forest in Nagano prefecture, the birthplace of Forest Bathing in Japan (https://www.rinya.maff.go.jp/j/kokuyu_rinya/kokumin_mori/katuyo/reku/rekumori/akasawa.html) and were trained by Forest
Medicine specialists and certified Forest Therapists.
Before and after shinrin-yoku practice, blood pressure, pulse rate, body temperature and SPO2 were the measured and a questionnaire was taken.
At the closing ceremony, Dr. Imai and Dr. Li presented the certificates to the participants.
Medical doctor (MD) participants received a Certificate of Medical Specialist in Forest Medicine.
Non-MD participants received a Certificate of international Shinrin-Yoku instructor.
The certificates were double-signed by President of INFOM, Dr. Michiko Imai and Vice President and Secretary General of INFOM, Dr. Qing Li.
After the seminar and workshop, a forest bathing tour was conducted to enjoy the forest therapy bases in Japan.
On behalf of INFOM, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the participants and all staff.
Thank you very much for your participation!
Prof. Qing Li, MD, PhD (Nippon Medical School, Vice-President of INFOM)
