Satoyama Conservation & Sustainability

Health and medical tourism through forest environment immersion. Evolved from the 'forest bathing' concept proposed in Japan in the 1980s. Over 100 locations certified as 'Forest Therapy Bases' nationwide. Scientific evidence demonstrates stress reduction and immune enhancement benefits. Experienced by millions annually with accommodation, guides, and related products generating hundreds of millions of yen. An important wellness tourism sector.

Japan's satoumi (human-sea coexistence) culture. Characterized by harmony between fishing and marine ecosystems in coastal areas. Sustainable fishing practices like seaweed and oyster aquaculture gain international attention. Like satoyama, satoumi conservation is key to global food security and marine ecosystem protection, recognized as an international sustainability model.

A conservation and restoration movement for 'satoyama'—the intermediate landscape between agriculture and natural forest. It supports Japan's biodiversity while preserving traditional farming culture. With increasing UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designations, it's recognized as a model for international sustainability practice. A uniquely Japanese environmental conservation strategy achieving both regional revitalization and SDG goals.

A traditional Japanese rural landscape where humans and nature coexist. Forests, rice paddies, and settlements form an integrated sustainable ecosystem model that has gained international recognition. It draws attention as a model case for biodiversity conservation and sustainable land use.

Traditional landscapes demonstrating harmony between humans and nature. Semi-natural areas where human management maintains biodiversity. Satoyama conservation efforts simultaneously address rural depopulation and environmental protection. Recognized by the UN as a sustainable regional society model, demonstrating integrated solutions to environmental and social challenges.

Activities to conserve satoyama—landscapes with human-nature coexistence in rural areas. Multifaceted value including biodiversity maintenance, community revitalization, and agricultural experience venues. Urban volunteer participation makes it important for regional revitalization. Growing international recognition through increased UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designations.

Ecosystems of hilly/coastal regions created through human-nature coexistence. Facing challenges from depopulation but gaining renewed value through tourism development and conservation efforts. Functions as integrated approach to biodiversity protection, regional revitalization, and carbon neutrality.

A concept representing agricultural and fishing villages where humans and nature coexist sustainably. Characterized by high biodiversity and traditional farming and fishing cultural heritage. Recently recognized as critical for urban-rural symbiosis, regional revitalization, and ecosystem conservation, satoyama and satoumi have become central to Japan's national sustainability policies, blending Japanese natural philosophy with practical sustainability.