IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PASONA GROUP
Living Well in JAPAN
Japan is steeped in rich wellness traditions enhanced by a natural environment that encourages living well in its many forms. Japan’s wellness culture is deeply rooted in traditions such as onsen (hot spring bathing), shinrin-yoku (forest bathing), and Zen practices that emphasize harmony between mind, body, and nature. Such traditions have been practiced for centuries and continue to play an important role in modern wellness.
Japan’s geology provides abundant natural hot springs, while forests cover roughly two-thirds of the country. Extensive mountain ranges, rivers, lakes, and long coastlines create exceptional settings for restoration and outdoor activity. Distinct seasonality is embedded into traditional culture, shaping its cuisine and customs. Japanese cuisine emphasizes freshness, balance, seasonality, and locality, reflecting a close connection between food, nature, and everyday wellbeing. Cultural practices such as tea ceremonies and Japanese martial arts emphasize mindfulness and harmony. The concept of what makes a life worth living – ikigai – along with a lifestyle of healthy eating, natural physical activity, and social connections, have been credited for the longevity of the centenarians in Japan’s Blue Zone.
JAPAN KEY FACTS
Population
123,975,371 (2024)
Life Expectancy for Men
81.1 years (2023)
Life Expectancy for Women
87.1 years (2023)
Example Modalities
Forest Bathing (“shinrin-yoku”)
Onsen Culture
Zen Mindset
JAPAN WELLNESS ECONOMY REPORT COMING SOON!
WELLNESS ECONOMY BY SECTOR IN JAPAN
The wellness economy, as defined by GWI, is broad and diverse. Its eleven sectors encompass many different types of consumer activities and expenditures, including products, services, travel, and technology. Every country’s wellness economy is unique. Its composition can vary widely from country to country, based on its development history, culture, socioeconomic conditions, and government policy. Below we present Japan’s top-line wellness economy data and how it ranks globally.
Japan Rankings out of 218 countries
KEY WELLNESS EXPERIENCES IN JAPAN
Wellness travelers are drawn to Japan for its unique combination of deep cultural heritage and spirituality, healthy cuisine, serene nature, and attentive hospitality, all woven into holistic wellness experiences that are unlike any other. Neighborhood sento bathhouses and “onsen towns” make mineral-rich thermal bathing widely accessible and communal, while a culinary focus on fresh produce and fish, as well as fermented foods like miso and mirin, supports nutrition and digestive wellness.
The wellness economy of Japan is increasingly focused on proactive wellness over reactive treatment, including wellness retreats combining Japanese tradition with modern medicine. A recent emphasis on slow travel and sustainable tourism has encouraged travelers to shift away from the well-worn “Golden Route” of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, toward authentic experiences such as the traditional crafts of Kanazawa, the snowy streets of Hokkaido, and the mythological heritage of Awaji Island.
J-Beauty is well-established with internationally renowned and innovative companies, which leverage Japan’s beauty traditions and the latest technologies to create products that emphasize natural, functional, nontoxic, and sustainable ingredients for better skin, sun protection, and anti-aging. Japan also cultivated Zen as a philosophy of living, making the country the ultimate destination to experience mindfulness.
OTHER GWI RESOURCES & REPORTS FOR JAPAN
PROVIDED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE Pasona GROUP
The Global Wellness Institute is grateful to the Pasona Group for supporting the development of this country report and making its important Japan-specific data available to the world.
Pasona Group is a Japanese multinational offering solutions across wellness and hospitality, human resources, regional revitalization, and other fields. Founded in 1976 upon the corporate philosophy of providing “Solutions to Society’s Problems”, the company develops new workstyles and lifestyles that empower people to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. From tranquil Awaji Island in western Japan, Pasona Group is helping shape Japan’s wellness industry and advance its vision of the NATUREVERSE, a world of physical, mental, and social well-being for all. Visit the Pasona Group website.
