1. Characteristics of the activity

① A free activity where you can go at your own pace

This tour does not have a pre-determined program.

Everyone has their own way of spending their time. Some people want to relax, while others want to be active in nature.

The biggest appeal of this activity is that you can spend your time comfortably, according to your mood and physical condition each day.

② A special feeling that can only be experienced because of its organizers

The activity takes place in a private forest managed by the organizers.

You can experience the feeling of being immersed in nature in places that are normally inaccessible.

Furthermore, this tour offers a unique opportunity to hear about the history and background of the land from someone who has spent many years working with this forest.

③ How to enjoy nature, which changes with the seasons

The way you enjoy this tour changes depending on the season.

In spring, you can enjoy mountain vegetables, and in autumn, mushrooms, experiencing nature’s bounty that is unique to each season.

Even in the same place, the activity changes depending on when you visit, so the fact that you can discover something new every time you go is part of its charm.

④ You can experience the currently trending wellness retreat

In recent years, wellness retreats, which involve harmonizing mind and body in nature, have been gaining attention.

While hotels and resorts across Japan are increasingly offering packages that combine accommodation and spa treatments, this tour takes a simpler approach, making the most of the forest itself.

This retreat is designed to be easily accessible and cherish the time spent in nature itself .

⑤ You can learn about the branded Nishiyama Cedar

In this forest, you can learn about Nishiyama Cedar, a brand of cedar from Oe Town.

It was impressive how learning about the mechanisms of tree growth and how to care for them slightly changed how I viewed the forest.

2. The activity

The activity starts by meeting up at Yanagawa Onsen, followed by a move to the actual destination.

This is my first time experiencing a forest retreat, so I’m a little excited.

After driving for a few minutes into the mountains and parking the car, we first headed to the cedar forest of the organizer, Mr. Suzuki.

Perhaps because it is well-maintained, soft sunlight filters through the cedar forests on either side of the road, creating a truly beautiful landscape.

After that, we got back in the car and headed to Mr. Suzuki’s workshop.

Upon arrival, we split into two groups: bonfire team and wood stove team, and began our activity of starting a fire.

Incidentally, this wood-burning stove is said to be the only one still in operation in all of Japan, making it quite rare.

It was impressive to see how the participants’ spirits naturally lifted and how much fun they were having while starting the fire.

There’s nothing quite like having a bonfire in nature.

Once the fire was fully lit, I decided to have some coffee, since I was already there.

Enjoying coffee brewed with spring water in a natural setting was a truly special experience.

Enjoying a drink in nature makes for a slightly special moment, doesn’t it?

After taking a breather, it was finally time to go for a walk in the forest.

While strolling, I looked at the trees,

We stroll leisurely through the forest, touching things along the way.

The fact that the route isn’t fixed and can be adjusted to suit the participants’ pace is a reassuring point.

If you have concerns about your physical fitness, you can let the organizers know in advance and they can arrange a more relaxed course for you.

Take a leisurely stroll through the mountains, a place you normally can’t enter.

Everyone enjoyed their time in their own way, whether it was chatting around the campfire or relaxing in a chair.

One of the charms of this activity is that there’s no set schedule, allowing you to spend your time at your own pace.

Please note that the toilets are not flush toilets, but rather simple bio-toilets.

3. Message

We have a message for everyone reading VISIT YAMAGATA.

In our busy daily lives, many of us forget to take time to pause and reflect. When that happens, please come and visit us here.

Here, we hope you can simply spend time in nature without worrying about titles or roles.

You don’t need to do anything special. Just walk around, sit, or watch the fire.
Please feel free to spend your time however you like at the time.

If you’re feeling like you want to relax even just a little, we’d love for you to come visit us.

4. Summary

This time, we introduced a forest retreat activity that you can enjoy in Oe Town.

I was impressed by how much more enjoyable the experience was, not just by walking through the forest, but also by spending time listening to stories.

This is an experience I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to spend some relaxing time.