Forest Bathing in Temple and Enjoy onsen with healing power
Overview
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
This is a forest bathing journey. We begin at Odawara Station, traveling by train to the forest area. Here, a 600-year-old temple awaits, surrounded by ancient cedars that have stood for centuries. These towering giants are central to the Shinrin-yoku experience, inviting you to slow down, breathe deeply, and absorb the forest atmosphere.
As we practice mindful forest bathing along the temple path, you'll engage all your senses—feeling ancient bark, listening to rustling leaves, and inhaling phytoncides released by the trees, known to boost wellness. After immersing in the healing silence, we'll enjoy lunch at a local temple chaya nestled in the woods.
The experience culminates in the ultimate Shinrin-yoku tradition: a therapeutic onsen within the same forest. Let mineral-rich waters melt tension while surrounded by nature. This seamless blend of mindful walking, cultural connection, and thermal healing creates a holistic Shinrin-yoku session you won't find elsewhere.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What To Expect
Daiyuzan Saijoji Temple (Doryoson)
We will enjoy a stroll in the forest in this temple. The forest has huge trees of over 500 years old and it is a forest that heals your mind and body. Lunch is in a Chaya in the forest area that provides Japanese lunch. Their Japanese confectionary is famous among the local people. The healing onsen is also in this mountain where we will enjoy the water that has healing water after lunch. You return to Odawara station after onsen at the end of the tour.
What‘s Included
National Certified Pro Guide with wilderness first aid certificate
personal expenses e.g. souvenirs or alcohol
Lunch for your group only (around 2000 yen each)
Transportation fee for your group
Onsen fee for your group (around 2000 yen each)
Options
Forest Bathing in Temple and Enjoy onsen with healing power
Reviews
19 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing experience with Akihiro!
Tourist815709,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00From the time we booked this tour with Akihiro, until we met him at the Odawara Station, and throughout the entire tour, the entire experience has been nothing short of perfection. Akihiro always responded in a timely manner, and provided great detailed instruction about what to expect on the tour and where to meet. Once on the tour, it was clear he was an amazing guide with a vast array of knowledge and passion about this magnificent area. This tour may well have been the highlight of our entire trip and we can credit Akihiro for that.
Up and through the forest and Temple near Aki's birthplace and Hakone home.
I5953WUpauls,Mar 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Akin wss great. Perfect for the location, gracious and well prepared. Highly recommended for mid sixties active couples.
Magical!
Traveler132456879,Feb 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful time with our guide, Aki. The forest and temple where he brought us were not full of people so we were really able to soak in and feel the peace and beauty of it. The combination of towering cedar and cypress trees, the waterfalls and zen gardens, the ancient statues and traditional temples as well as the stories and culture Aki shared really made the trip magical. Afterwards, the Japanese traditional meal was delicious. Finally the onsen, sitting in nature in the thermal pools, was heaven. Very highly recommend it!
Five stars!
O3674GVjeng,Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely wonderful — 5 stars. Our autumn forest-bathing hike to the serene temple in Odawara was unforgettable. Aki, our guide, was incredibly knowledgeable about the local flora and temple history, and balanced informative stories with peaceful moments of silence. He was professional, very accommodating (even bringing snacks for everyone), and took stunning photos that truly highlighted the vibrant fall colors and the temple’s quiet beauty. I highly recommend this trip to anyone visiting Odawara in autumn — it felt restorative, well-organized, and beautifully documented.
Forest Bathing - Saijo-Ji Temple - wonder guide Akihiro
mashida,Nov 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Just a wonderful time with our guide, Akihiro (https://coconutshikejapan.com/) who took us to a beautiful temple Saijo-ji (https://daiyuuzan.or.jp/) about 30 mins from Odawara station in Hakone. We went on a 2k walk up a gentle slope to the temple, and even though it was a holiday, the walk and temple were not crowded, only a few other people. And the leaves were in peak season with brilliant bursts of color. We felt like we were pilgrims walking up the path, isolated in a forest, and then reaching the temple with its beautiful colors and substantial buildings. Definitely worth the walk! Forest Bathing - this is a term for just inhaling the nature and trees along the trail to refresh the body and soul - it works! We appreciated the leaves and lack of crowds when we went to Kyoto two days later - where we decided not to go to some temples because of the crowds Akihiro is an experienced guide, who grew up in Hakone often just miles from our hike and also has over 20 years guiding travelers into hikes and camping. He served us coffee and snacks at the top. We learned about the forest, the trail and the temple on our way up the mountain. His English skills are excellent and he was a good companion on the walk explaining nuances of the forest and the temple's history. Finally, he took pictures of us on our walk which reflected his skill as a photographer (later uploaded to us on Google Drive). Our hike culminated in a discrete tea house "Jinoma" at the foot of the trails, serving a vegetarian meal and tea and sweets. What a magical end to the temple visit! Definitely one of the highlights of our 2 week Japan visit. Beauty, leaves like fire against a green background, and a true sense of Buddhist tranquility.
Beautiful and serene.. a forest bath hike
LA Food Wine,Oct 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I visited in October and joined Akihiro for a “forest bath” hike near Odawara—it was everything I hoped for! The other participants canceled, so it became a private tour, which made the peaceful, scenic hike even better. Akihiro’s knowledge of the area and history was excellent, lunch at a local teahouse was delicious, and ending the day with a relaxing onsen soak was absolute bliss. A perfect escape from the city—highly recommend!
Phenomenal experience!
priyankamE1855DI,Oct 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience! Our teenage boys loved it and want to do this again. Aki is phenomenal and really took care of us. What a great experience!!
Forrest walk, visit to stunning Buddhist Temple, lunch and visit to Onsen
V4018TQchrisg,Jun 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an interesting, visually stunning and relaxing day. Akihiro our guide was very knowledgeable, explaining cultural context for the Temple, and the Onsen we visited. Highly recommended.
A Beautiful Experience
Tiffani B,Apr 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The day was perfect for a nice walk up towards a very famous temple, forest, bathing, good exercise, beautiful temple shrines and buildings made of Cedar and Cypress wood. Ending with the delicious lunch at a local tea house.
Wonderful experience of Hakone
Meander49662190255,Mar 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a fantastic time on our forest bath. Akihiro is very knowledgeable and great at telling the stories of the rich history of Hakone. My wife and I saw many beautiful scenes and got great pictures taken of us! We absolutely loved the entire experience. If you’re staying near Hakone (we were in Odawara and it’s a short train ride away) I fully recommend this. Thank you Mr. Akihiro for the great day!
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Operated by Coconuts Hike Japan