Nature serves as one of the most powerful forms of therapy available to humanity. It has the remarkable ability to soothe the soul, refocus the mind, and calm the nervous system, supporting virtually every aspect of our physical and mental wellbeing. This understanding has led to the growing popularity of forest bathing, a mindfulness practice known as shinrin-yoku that was developed in Japan during the 1980s and represents the ultimate form of natural immersion therapy.
What was once marketed as simply the new spa day has evolved into something far more significant and medicinal. Extensive research from prestigious institutions including the NHS, Harvard Health, the American Psychological Association, and the Mayo Clinic demonstrates that immersing ourselves in nature for as little as 20 minutes can produce remarkable health benefits. These include reduced blood pressure, lower stress levels, improved cardiovascular and metabolic health, and relief from depression.
The healing properties of forest bathing have gained widespread recognition within the medical profession, as evidenced by the growing trend of green social prescribing. This approach sees healthcare professionals referring patients to non-clinical interventions in natural settings. The best part is that no prescription is required to experience these benefits.
At its core, forest bathing involves mindful access to and appreciation of the natural environment – literally an exercise in seeing the forest for the trees. As this trend gains momentum worldwide, those seeking a more elevated experience now have numerous design-focused options to choose from.
Casa de Baños in Mexico stands out as an exceptional example of forest bathing architecture. Located on 450 mountainous acres west of Mexico City, this circular bathhouse was designed by Robert Hutchinson Architecture and JSa Arquitectura. The 700-square-foot structure features vertical tongue-and-groove pine siding and southern yellow pine construction, creating far more than just a bathroom with a view. The building is intrinsically connected to nature through four distinct zones: hot bath, sauna, steam shower, and washroom, all offering views of the surrounding forest. At the center, a cold plunge pool opens directly to the sky above.
In Japan, the birthplace of forest bathing, the Shishi-Iwa House hotel demonstrates intuitive natural design at its finest. This 34-room establishment unfolds across three architecturally striking buildings in the small forest town of Karuizawa, less than an hour from Tokyo. The first two buildings were designed by renowned Japanese architect Shigeru Ban in 2018 and 2022, while the third was created by Ryue Nishizawa in 2023. The property's gardens showcase more than 250 trees, including evergreens, cherry blossoms, and Japanese maples, with natural materials featured throughout the design. Every room includes a private balcony overlooking the gardens, forest, and mountains, while interiors remain purposefully stripped back and simple to encourage deeper focus on the natural world outside.
China's Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring spa offers a striking contrast between industrial design and natural beauty. Created by Vector Architects, this unique structure sits against the cliffs and forests of Wuling Mountains Yanshi Village. Designed to resemble a piece of hot spring apparatus, the bathhouse features eight lightwells that look like chimneys on top. Surrounded by 30-meter-high poplar trees, the location presents both opportunities and challenges. The lower levels, which house shower and changing facilities, benefit from natural privacy but suffer from limited natural light. Higher up, a relaxation room with floor-to-ceiling windows sits within the tree canopy, while the spa itself occupies the top level.
Denmark's Treetop Hotel Lovtag takes forest immersion to new heights with nine treetop cabins perched six to eight meters off the ground on the Als Odde peninsula. Each cabin, designed by Sigurd Larsen as part of the famous Lovtag retreat, literally has nature at its heart. Not only do these structures offer uninterrupted forest views through panoramic windows, but actual tree trunks run through their interiors. Outdoor showers mounted to each façade provide guests with authentic forest bathing experiences in the most literal sense.
Finally, Arcana in Canada combines forest bathing with optical illusion in this immersive cabin retreat located two hours north of Toronto. The facility harnesses the power of reflection to blend seamlessly into the woodland environment. Twenty-three steel structures snake along 3,000 feet of waterfront, each designed to facilitate solitude and minimize disruption so that no interaction with staff or fellow guests is required. Open year-round, the retreat relies heavily on its pristine location to promote and support deep connections with nature.
These five exceptional retreats represent the cutting edge of architectural design focused on forest bathing experiences. Each facility demonstrates how thoughtful architecture can enhance our connection with nature while providing the therapeutic benefits that research has proven so valuable for human health and wellbeing.
