Technology · Cross-sector intersections / Cross-sector intersections

Forest therapy trails & certified guides (shinrin-yoku)

Guided, mindful immersion in forests for mental and physical health, delivered on certified trails by certified guides — over 60 certified forests in Japan and a Chinese plan for 1,200 bases by 2035.

Maturity 7/9 Risk: low Bio-Tourism & Nature Recreation Wellness & Preventive Bio-Living CN verified 2026-10-16 · 4 Sources

1 · What it gives

Forest therapy, also called shinrin-yoku or forest bathing, is a research-based practice of mindful, multi-sensory immersion in a forest to support mental and physical health. It is seen as a complementary treatment for people with health issues and a wellness practice for others. It has reached commercial scale: Japan has more than 60 certified forests, and China plans 1,200 national bases by 2035.

2 · What it replaces 6

D3	Forest defoliator control (Siberian silk moth, spongy/gypsy moth, nun moth, pine moths) with Bt kurstaki, nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) and pheromone mating disruption — instead of aerial chemical insecticides Replaces: Aerial spraying of pyrethroids (cypermethrin, deltamethrin), organophosphates, and chitin-synthesis inhibitors (diflubenzuron) over forests	PEST
D1	Spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) and pine beetle management by early sanitation felling, pheromone monitoring, anti-aggregation pheromones and forest diversification — instead of insecticide-treated trap logs, nets and log-pile spraying Replaces: Pyrethroid (cypermethrin, alpha-cypermethrin)-treated trap logs, insecticide-netted log piles, spraying of timber stacks; historically …	PEST
D1	Biochar made by clean pyrolysis of crop, forestry and processing residues — used as a soil amendment and sold as durable carbon removal — instead of open burning, dumping or landfilling of those residues Replaces: Open burning of straw, husks, shells and prunings; dumping and landfilling of processing residues; traditional earth-kiln charcoal making …	AGROCHEM
D1	Soil-biodegradable mulch films (certified to EN 17033: starch/PLA/PBAT/PHA blends) and paper/organic mulches — instead of conventional polyethylene (PE) mulch films that fragment into soil microplastics Replaces: Non-degradable low-density polyethylene mulch films (and so-called "oxo-degradable" films, banned in the EU since 2021)	PACK
D3	Conifer root and butt rot (Heterobasidion) prevention by stump treatment with the competitive fungus Phlebiopsis gigantea (Rotstop) — instead of chemical stump treatments Replaces: Urea and borate (disodium octaborate) stump treatments; historically other chemical stump treatments	PEST
D2	Dairy mastitis prevention with selective dry-cow therapy, internal teat sealants and bacteriocin (nisin) teat disinfection Replaces: Blanket dry-cow antibiotic therapy (all quarters, all cows: cloxacillin, cephalosporins incl. 3rd/4th generation, penicillin–aminoglycoside …	VET

3 · How to implement 4 steps

1
Select the forest
Choose and assess forests or trails against the site criteria of the certifying body.
2
Train guides
Train guides through a certification programme (for ANFT: about six months remote training plus a four-day in-person immersion).
3
Safety
Require first-aid credentials for guides (Wilderness First Aid or First Responder in the ANFT route).
4
Certify and operate
Register the trail or base with a certification or network body and run guided sessions.

4 · Who delivers

Matched suppliers (matched automatically)

Asia Biogas	Indonesia	Services / consulting	active
Benur Top Group	Indonesia	Producer	active
Mintek	South Africa	Research / RTO	active
Torise Biomaterials	China	Producer	active
Euphoria Retreat	Greece	Services / consulting	active
ALBORS SRL \| Animal Health & Welfare	Italy	Research / RTO	active
Bloomage Biotechnology	China	Distributor	active
CMPC (BCS: CMPC)	Chile	Producer	active
Euglena Company (TSE Prime)	Japan	Research / RTO	active
Kao	Japan	Producer	active
Meihua Biological 梅花生物 (SSE 600873)	China	Research / RTO	active
Pherobio Technology Co., Ltd	China	Producer	active

Leading companies and institutes (from the brief)

The Forest Therapy Society (Japan) and the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) are the notable bodies for practice and guide certification.

5 · Rules & route to market

Route into Russia / EAEU: PEST · Ministry of Agriculture (Minselkhoz)
2-3 years (registration trials over seasons)
Information, not legal advice — confirm the procedure for your product. (2026-10-06)

United States

The sources reviewed on 2026-10-16 identified no the US regulator or standard specific to this technology. Treat the route as case-by-case and ask for a check.

European Union

The sources reviewed on 2026-10-16 identified no the EU regulator or standard specific to this technology. Treat the route as case-by-case and ask for a check.

China

China’s National Forestry and Grassland Administration and other departments regulate forest therapy development, aiming at national bases and service standards. The sources note that clearer site-selection criteria are still needed.

6 · Money: tenders & grants

Grant	Health of ecosystems and wild species, predictions and impacts on human health, in the face of existing and … European Commission · EU	Sep 22, 2027 341 days
Grant	Microbiome for terrestrial livestock sustainability and health within a One Health approach European Commission · EU	Sep 23, 2027 342 days
Grant	Advancing Global Health Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy · United States	Feb 14, 2027 121 days
Grant	DOD Defense Health Agency (DHA) Research & Development FY23-FY27 BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT for Extramural … Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA · United States	Sep 30, 2027 349 days
Grant	Innovative biotechnologies to restore soil health and improve agricultural competitiveness and resilience European Commission · EU	Apr 8, 2027 174 days

7 · Tech stack & innovations

Main risks from the sources: regulatory — clearer criteria for site selection are needed; economic — investment must be balanced against sustainable development and profitability.

Sources 4

Fo society.jp — www.fo-society.jp 2026-10-16
Anft.earth — anft.earth 2026-10-16
Mdpi.com — www.mdpi.com 2026-10-16
Gov.cn — www.gov.cn 2026-10-16