Forest swimming, also known as “Shinrin Yoku,” is a practice developed in Japan that supports immersion in the forest atmosphere and aims to promote physical and mental health. A key feature of Shinrin Yoku is the mindful experience of nature with all your senses – combined with relaxation exercises. For almost 50 years, forest swimming in Japan, promoted by politics and science, has been a recognised part of a healthy lifestyle. The Far Eastern country is a leader in studies that examine the forest as a health-promoting factor. This forest medicine is an established field of research there:
Breathe in, breathe out, forest swimming! See you soon in the forest!
This is led by Klaus Herzmann, a certified forest swimming trainer, in our paradise 30 kilometres from the easternmost city in the EU – Ilomantsi – on a wooded peninsula on a tributary of Lake Nuorajärvi.
The highlight: a night in a tree tent, floating between the trees, overlooking the gentle waves – an experience that touches the soul.
10:00 am Start of forest swimming with a snack at noon and a 3-course menu in the evening, depending on the weather, in the outdoor kitchen on an open fire or in the cosy living room prepared by the chef. And in the evening, you can relax in the lake lounge or hammock and review the day with a magnificent sunset.
The highlight: a night in a tree tent, floating between the trees, overlooking the gentle waves – an experience that touches the soul.
The event wraps up the next morning after breakfast (around 10:00 a.m.)
The log cabin is located in the solitude of the Finnish forests, completely self-sufficient without connection to the public electricity grid and running water. Solar panels provide energy and the water comes from the well. Here, you'll still find luxury goods in abundance: endless peace and quiet and plenty of time.
The new bio toilet is in the wooden shed and the outdoor bathroom (with a warm shower) and a view of the lake is directly behind it. Finland without a sauna is unthinkable, followed by a jump into the lake, of course.
What else is there to do? Finland's smallest national park isn't far away, as is the cultural site of Möhkö, the Karelian village in Ilomantsi, the easternmost point of the EU, and so on and so forth – or you could just glide out on the mirror-smooth lake by canoe or SUP board and try your luck at fishing.
