• Species: various
• Location: Kyoto Botanical Garden

I recently spent a beautiful morning inside Kyoto’s Botanical Garden, trying out the newly discovered concept of ‘forest bathing’ or shinrin yoku. The idea is to walk in a forest, soak up the atmosphere, and find calm and relaxation. Recently, scientist got involved and proved that being inside a forest is actually good for you, medically.

According to Wikipedia, the benefits of forest bathing are derived from “volatile substances” called “phytoncides,” also called wood essential oils. You breath in these “antimicrobial volatile organic compounds” that are expelled by trees for a number of reasons, including to ward off rot and to dissuade insects and animals from gnawing on their parts, and they, according to some scientists, help relieve stress, increase concentration, and even lower blood pressure.

I am no scientist, but I am an obvious believer and a big fan. While it is no ‘forest’, Kyoto’s Botanical Garden is a great place to get some bathing time among trees. The ‘garden’ actually consists of multiple ‘forests’… of Japanese Pines, China Fir, Japanese Maple, Peach, Weeping Cherry and Plum trees. Then there are the majestic Himalayan Cedars and the collection of Camellia trees and their beautiful blooms. There is also a dedicated area that is preserved as it is during the primeval ages.

The visit did not disappoint. Enjoy the photos.

One of the many revered Himalayan Cedars (cedrus deodara) on the grounds.

A cunninghamia lanceolata, or China Fir, looks like it can get up and walk away. Hello Mr Tree, nice to meet you.

A China Fir (cunninghamia lanceolata

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A plum tree grove, unfortunately not in bloom

A magnificent Japanese Pine (pinus densiflora)

A Japanese pine tree (pinus densiflora Sieb et Zucc)

Japanese pine forest

A glorious pink-flowered peach tree (amygdalus persicv)

A full spectrum of blooms

A peach tree in full bloom

The beautiful foliage of the Japanese Maple tree (acer palmatum), with its tiny red flowers

These amazingly fanciful trees are Pagoda trees, also known as sophora japonica var. pendula.

This tree is found inside a dedicated area that has preserved the original primeval forest that used to be in the region. The tree, (litsea lancifolia F. Vill), has no common name, simply that its latin name translates to ‘lance-shaped leaves’ tree

Another specimen from Kyoto’s primeval past. This one is a broad-leafed Nagi tree (podocarpus nagi). The Japanese name of the tree apparent means both to lull or die down and calmness, the idea being once the storm passes, you are left with serenity.

Another member of Kyoto’s primeval past, this michelia figo is also know as the magnolia figo/port wine magnolia.

Inside the grounds is a collection of different camellia plants. This is a classic example, but didn’t manage to get the name

Kyoto’s Botanical Garden is famous of its collection of tulips

exotic blooms of the daphniphyllum macropodum.

weird looking plant with beautiful flowers

exotic flowers

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Categories:International, Spring blooms, treelover, urbantreesTags: Botanical Garden, forest, forest bathing, greenery, Japan, Kyoto, landscape, nature, parks and gardens, shinrin-yoku, treelover, trees