4th World Conference on
FORESTS AND PARKS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
It is our great pleasure to invite you to the 5th World Conference on Forests and Parks for Public Health (WCFPPH 2027), taking place from 21-24 August 2027 at Nippon Medical School in Tokyo, Japan (https://www.nms.ac.jp/college/).
Nippon Medical School was founded in 1876, is the oldest private medical school in Japan, and located in central Tokyo, next to the famous Nezu Shrine and the University of Tokyo. There are many beautiful urban green parks in Tokyo.
Under the theme “Forests and Parks for Public Health”, WCFPPH 2027 will bring together scientists from academia, industry, and regulatory bodies and researchers and practitioners of forest therapy/forest bathing/Shinrin-yoku to exchange knowledge, strengthen collaborations, and explore the latest advances in Forests and Parks for Public Health, Forest Bathing/Shinrin-yoku/Forest Therapy, Forest Medicine and related disciplines.
Forest bathing/Shinrin-yoku as a healthy lifestyle was originally proposed in Japan in 1982 for the purpose of reducing stress and health promotion. Since 2004, serial studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of Forest bathing/Shinrin-yoku on human health, many scientific papers have been published and Forest Medicine as a new preventive medicine was established. It has been reported that Forest bathing/Shinrin-yoku boosts immune system; reduces mental stress, blood pressure, heart rate, and the activity of sympathetic nerves; increases the activity of parasympathetic nerves, improves sleep and shows preventive effects on lifestyle related diseases.
The Conference is co-organized with the Japanese Society of Forest Medicine (https://forest-medicine.jp/) and the International Society of Nature and Forest Medicine (INFOM, https://www.infom.org/).
Join us in Tokyo for inspiring scientific and social programs, thought-provoking discussions, and excellent networking opportunities in one of Asia’s most vibrant and beautiful cities.
Join us in Tokyo to enjoy the delicious, healthy Japanese food, sushi, sashimi, and more. There are 65 forest therapy bases in Japan (https://www.fo-society.jp/en/index.html), please enjoy the Japanese forest bathing/Shinrin-yoku/forest therapy and hot springs in the beautiful forest therapy bases during the conference.
We look forward to welcoming you to WCFPPH 2027 for an unforgettable Conference experience!
Warm regards,
Prof. & Dr. Qing Li
President of the Organizing Committee of the 5th World Conference on Forests and Parks for Public Health
Clinical Professor of Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
President of the Japanese Society of Forest Medicine
Vice president of INFOM (International Society of Nature and Forest Medicine)
Dear Colleagues,
It is a great honor and pleasure to welcome you, on behalf of the World Society for Forests and Parks for Public Health, to the 5th Conference on Forests and Parks for Public Health, held from 21 to 24 August 2027 at Nippon Medical School in Tokyo, Japan.
Over the years, our conferences have contributed to a growing understanding that forests and parks are essential for supporting human health and well-being. Research has shown their positive effects on physical health, mental balance, social cohesion, and overall quality of life, confirming that access to forests and parks is a vital component of health promotion and disease prevention.
This conference places a special session on the health effects of forests and parks on children. Early life exposure to nature supports physical development, emotional stability, and cognitive growth. These benefits are aligned with recommendations in WHO guidelines on child health, highlighting the importance of safe and equally accessible green spaces for healthy development.
Forests and parks also generate combined social and economic benefits for public health. They provide spaces for community engagement, physical activity, and social interaction, while their preventive health effects can reduce the burden of disease and contribute to more sustainable healthcare systems. By offering both health and social value, forests and parks are integral to creating resilient, inclusive, and health-thriving communities.
The World Society for Forests and Parks for Public Health brings together scientists, health professionals, policymakers, and community leaders committed to advancing knowledge and practice at the intersection of nature and health. We warmly invite scientists and researchers from all fields to join us, share their expertise, and contribute to this vibrant global community. Through research, advocacy, and international collaboration, the Society promotes the integration of forests and parks into public health strategies worldwide.
Japan, with its rich cultural relationship to nature and its leadership in forest medicine and preventive health research, provides an ideal setting for this conference.
We are deeply grateful to our Japanese colleagues, from INFOM and the Japanese Society of Forest Medicine, for their dedication and effort in organizing this conference and to Nippon Medical School for hosting this important global scientific event. Their commitment has made it possible to host this event in such an inspiring and welcoming environment.
It is with great pleasure that we warmly welcome our colleagues from around the world to join us at this conference. May this conference inspire new knowledge, foster collaboration, and strengthen the integration of forests and parks into public health practice and policies.
I wish you a successful and rewarding conference in Tokyo.
With warm regards,
Dr. Christos Th. Gallis
President,
World Society for Forests and Parks for Public Health.
