Returning to Nature and Harmony in Yakushima

Yakushima, the island located in the south of Japan was designated a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 1993. And also its virgin forest is famous for where the movie “Princess Mononoke” took place. Every year, many travelers from all over the world are coming to enjoy its great nature. We focus on the culture and people living on this wonderful island and deliver it by videos.

―”We use iPhones, iPads, Androids, Wiis and DSs. We have been using electricity for about the past 100 years of our evolution. But it is in environments like these forests that have played the biggest role in developing our brains over time. In other words, our brains are made to adapt in forests and natural environments like this.” – Kenichiro Mogi

Neuroscientist Kenichiro Mogi talks about the enchantment of Yakushima
Presented by Yakushima Broadcasting Station

Calming Effect of Nature

Ever since I was a child, the strongest feeling I get from being in natural environments like this is its calming effect. It really is. We make artificial spaces and live within them.

We use iPhones, iPads, Androids, Wiis and DSs. We have been using electricity for about the past 100 years of our evolution. But it is in environments like these forests that have played the biggest role in developing our brains over time.

In other words, our brains are made to adapt in forests and natural environments like this.

Self-Healing Abilities

So, returning to a place like this draws out your most basic of instincts from deep within. This is especially important to those who are injured or suffering, providing a beneficial environment for healing. Once you study the brain, it becomes clear that humans do in fact have inherent self-healing abilities.

Modern medicine uses things like surgery and drugs, which in themselves are a necessity in most cases. However, we also have within us, the power to heal ourselves.

For example, in the field of neuroscience we have what is called the “Placebo Effect”. This is when equal results are observed between someone who is given medicine and some someone who is given a sugar tablet (placebo) but told that it is medicine. The frontal lobe tells the body it will heal after taking the medicine and the body then heals itself.

So, if someone takes the placebo and it is effective, who provided the treatment? It wasn’t the sugar tablet. It was the person themselves. If fact, the brain can do a lot of self-healing.

Increasing Self-Healing Abilities

Subsequently, when you are in the city and feel a little sick, you visit a doctor who tries various things that just make you get weaker and weaker.

But when you immerse yourself in an environment like this, all you have is yourself to rely on.

The power to make your body work for you is really heightened in a natural environment like this.

Our body produces many cancerous cells each day. When these cells appear it is our immune system that attack and break them down.

Our immune system has the power to protect us, but things like stress hinder our immune system’s ability to work effectively. You might have a lot on your mind with work or school, home life etc. These sorts of stresses all build up and lower your immune system.

In order to best bring out your brain’s self-healing ability you need to immerse yourself regularly in a stress-free environment. A place you can relax and find peace in.

Culture of Relaxation

It’s a slow process and you might not see results immediately. But, to really change yourself from within you need to spend a decent amount time in that environment.

So while I’m enjoying being surrounded by the beauty of Yakushima, I can’t help but think how important it is for everyone to be part of a culture that is rooted in relaxation.