Authenticity
No shortcuts, no marketing speak, no false promises. Every product exists because we needed it in our own practice. Real origins, real people, real results.
Our Story
Born from the stillness of the forest
A Tokyo studio rooted in Japanese forest wisdom, devoted to making mindful living accessible in every season of life.
The Origin
A walk in the Okutama forest that changed everything
Tranquil Cedar Flow was founded in 2017 by Riko Yamashiro, a former landscape architect who discovered the practice of shinrin-yoku during a period of burnout. Standing among the ancient cedars of Okutama, she experienced something that no amount of urban wellness could replicate: the deep physiological ease of simply being in the presence of trees.
Returning to Tokyo, she found no accessible path for city dwellers to integrate that experience into daily life. So she built one — first as a series of small guided walks, then as a growing collection of products and practices, all rooted in the same quiet intelligence she found in the forest.
Our Philosophy
Slow is not lazy. Slow is the pace of living things.
At Tranquil Cedar Flow, we believe the dominant rhythm of modern life — fast, optimised, measured — is fundamentally at odds with human biology. Every meaningful process in nature takes time: seeds germinate slowly, trees grow over centuries, seasons turn with patient deliberateness.
Our practice is an invitation to match that pace. Not as an escape from the world, but as a way of returning to yourself within it. We draw on the Japanese tradition of ma — the fertile space between things — as our guiding aesthetic and ethical principle.
The Practice
A small studio. A deep commitment.
Our team of six practitioners, artisans, and researchers works from a studio in Jingumae, Shibuya. Every product is tested personally before release. Every guide is written by people who practice what they teach. We keep the team small deliberately — quality of attention is not scalable.
We partner with certified forest therapy guides across Japan, independent distilleries in Nara and Shizuoka, and paper artisans in Echizen to ensure every element of what we offer carries the integrity of its origin.
Come and Walk With Us
Our Values
Five principles guiding every decision
Accessibility
Mindful living is not a luxury for the wealthy or the geographically fortunate. We design every offering to be available to practitioners regardless of income or location.
Sustainability
We source from forests that are regenerating, not declining. We work with artisans using traditional, low-impact methods. Every material choice honors the origin ecosystem.
Simplicity
Complexity obscures truth. We remove everything unnecessary. Every ritual has a clear purpose. Every product serves a genuine need. Nothing is ornamental.
Continuity
We measure success in decades, not quarters. We reinvest in forests, in practitioners, and in deepening our understanding of what truly heals the human nervous system.
Our Journey
Seven years of growth rooted in practice
2017
The Beginning
Riko Yamashiro leads her first guided shinrin-yoku walk in Okutama forest. The group expands from 4 people to 20 within six months.
2018
First Products
We release our initial handcrafted journal and the Cedar Forest Bathing Kit. Direct requests from practitioners inspire a seasonal box programme.
2019
Retreat Expansion
Our first multi-day retreat in Hakone sells out. We establish relationships with forest managers and local artisans in Nara and Echizen.
2021
Urban Maps Launch
Recognising urban practitioners' needs, we release the Urban Forest Map series for Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima. Partnerships with local shrines deepen.
2023
International Recognition
Featured in slow-living publications across Europe and North America. International practitioners begin attending retreats and requesting custom guides.
2024–Present
Deepening Impact
3,200+ active practitioners. 18 retreat locations across Japan. Team expanded to include certified guides, artisans, and research partners. Commitment remains unchanged.
Credentials
Built on science, guided by tradition
Our approach to forest bathing is informed by peer-reviewed research into phytoncide exposure, parasympathetic nervous system activation, and attention restoration theory. Riko Yamashiro has completed advanced training in Japanese forest therapy and holds certifications from the International Association of Nature and Forest Therapy.
We work alongside botanists, neuroscientists, and foresters who advise on sustainable sourcing and evidence-based practice design. Our retreat guides are nationally certified forest therapy practitioners with a minimum of 200 hours of guided experience each.
We are committed to full transparency in our sourcing and supply chain. Every oil we sell traces back to a named forest and distillery. Every paper product carries certification from its maker.
