What is “GotoForest!”?

GotoForest! is a nationwide initiative held on May 4 in Japan, where people walk in forests across different regions on the same day, spending time in nature and sharing a sense of well-being.
May 4 is “Greenery Day,” a national holiday in Japan dedicated to connecting with nature, expressing gratitude for its blessings, and nurturing a peaceful and fulfilled mind.

The Beginning

This event began in 2017.It originated from a Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) event called “Thanks Greenery Day!” organized by the Future with Forest Association in a forest in Hachioji, Tokyo.
We started this initiative with the hope that even people who are not accustomed to spending time in forests could easily experience Shinrin-yoku in a more approachable way.

A Turning Point During the COVID-19 Pandemic

In 2020, due to the impact of COVID-19, it became difficult to hold in-person events.
Many forest guides and nature-based activity providers across Japan were no longer able to guide people in the forest.
Ironically, forests are open, well-ventilated spaces where people can spend time comfortably. In Japan, forests are also closely connected to everyday life, and people usually have easy access to nature without traveling far.

From a Local Event to a Nationwide Movement

Thus, we asked a simple question:
“Can we create opportunities for people to connect with nearby forests even during the COVID-19 pandemic?”

To encourage more people to visit and become familiar with forests, we reached out to forest activity practitioners and organizers across Japan and proposed holding events in local forests on the same day.
Many people resonated with this idea and voluntarily joined from forests in their own regions. As a result, the “GotoForest!” gathering grew into a nationwide initiative held on May 4, Japan’s Greenery Day.
In 2026, we hope to expand this meaningful initiative worldwide.

In 2026, as we continue to expand this meaningful initiative around the world, we are delighted to have confirmed events in 13 countries and 45 regions.

Organized by: GotoForest! Organizing Team
Supervised by: Future with Forest Association

Track Record in Japan

- 2021: 31 locations / 374 participants
- 2022: 31 locations / 568 participants
(Clean & Green theme, including forest clean-up activities)
- 2023: 24 locations / 501 participants
- 2024: 26 locations / 634 participants
- 2025: 23 locations / 377 participants

Participation in GotoForest! Initiative

Individuals, organizations, and businesses are welcome to join the GotoForest! initiative as local hosts.
Anyone who can safely organize a forest experience in their local natural environment may participate.

Basic Requirements for Participation:

Safe guidance in a forest or natural setting
An open and accessible event for everyone
Experiencing the forest through the five senses
Sharing appreciation for nature
Proper safety management
A spirit of community and co-creation

For this year, a participation fee of JPY 5,000 per host applies only to events held in Japan.
（No participation fee is required for events held outside Japan)
The fees will be used to cover website operations and basic administrative costs.

Participating Locations for 2026

Theme of GotoForest! 2026

Dialogueー対話ー

Resonating with life
Sharing with others
Turning inward to oneself

And this year,
Connecting with the world through the forest
Let’s GotoForest! Around the world.

From Japan to forests around the world,
may our hearts walk together as one.

Participation in GotoForest! Initiative

Basic Requirements for Participation:

Safe guidance in a forest or natural setting
An open and accessible event for everyone
Experiencing the forest through the five senses
Sharing appreciation for nature
Proper safety management
A spirit of community and co-creation

For this year, a participation fee of JPY 5,000 per host applies only to events held in Japan.
(No participation fee will be charged for events held outside Japan.)
The fees will be used to cover website operations and basic administrative costs.