Mori no Yochien: Japan's Forest Kindergartens

Learn how Japan's forest kindergartens, mori no yochien, bring young children into mountains, rivers and woods, and how Nagano Prefecture certifies nature-based childcare.

Published October 19, 2026 at 11:33 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Mori no yochien means forest kindergarten, an early childhood program in which children spend much of the day outdoors in woods, fields or riversides. The idea has Scandinavian roots and has spread across Japan. Nagano Prefecture, which has many such groups, created its own certification and registration system for nature-based childcare, so families can look for recognized programs.

What a forest kindergarten is

Mori no yochien is the Japanese name for a forest kindergarten, and it describes a style of early childhood care in which nature is the main classroom. Children walk in the woods, play in streams, watch the seasons and learn through free exploration, instead of spending the day in a building. Programs may use a simple hut or shelter as a base, and some have no building at all.

The name is used broadly, and not every group calls itself a yochien, which formally means kindergarten. Many are small groups run by parents, nonprofit organizations or childcare providers, and some operate as part of a licensed nursery school. A page from Shinshu Honan College says the forest kindergarten approach traces its roots to Scandinavia and is spreading across Japan.

Where the idea comes from

Forest kindergartens began in Scandinavia, and the Japanese movement drew inspiration from that model while adapting it to local landscapes and seasons. A research review of Japanese and Australian perspectives on nature-based early childhood activities examined forest kindergartens next to formally registered early childhood programs and found that forest kindergartens show a close fit with ideas of sustainability and community involvement.

The same review notes that national guidelines for registered services in Japan focus their required nature-based activities on child development. The overall picture is that nature-based play is valued in many types of settings, from mainstream kindergartens with outdoor time to groups that spend most of the day outside. Families can find the full range by asking local childcare offices.

Shinshu Honan College, a junior college in Nagano Prefecture, describes Shinshu yamahoiku as an initiative in which young children learn and grow in mountains, rivers and forests, and its students practice leading outdoor activities with seasonal materials such as pinecones, snow and ice. The page shows how local education and childcare training can connect to the prefecture's nature-based approach.

Nagano Prefecture and its certification system

Nagano Prefecture, a mountainous region in central Japan, has become known for nature-based childcare, often called Shinshu yamahoiku or Shinshu-type nature childcare. The prefecture's own web page says that forests cover about 78 percent of its land and that it created its certification system to spread childcare that makes use of this natural environment.

The system is generally described as having two kinds of recognition. One is for groups that devote a large share of their time to nature-based experiential activities, which are reviewed against prefectural standards. The other is for groups that build nature play and other hands-on activities into regular childcare. The details of each category, including review steps and renewal, are set by the prefecture and may have changed since the system began.

What certification looks at

The certification is generally described as recognizing the content and quality of a group's nature-based activities, which is a separate matter from a license to operate. Licensed facilities, such as nursery schools and kindergartens, as well as smaller independent groups can be recognized for their outdoor programs. Because the requirements are set by the prefecture and may be revised, its current guidance is the place to confirm them.

Participating groups are commonly expected to share information about their activities and to send staff to training or exchange meetings, which helps spread good safety practice among programs. The prefecture, in turn, promotes recognized programs so that families can find them more easily. Since the system dates from the mid-2010s, its details may have changed, so check the current version directly with the prefecture.

A typical day

Programs vary, but a day often begins with a gathering, a walk to a favorite spot and long periods of free play, with snacks or a packed lunch outdoors. Children might climb, build with sticks, collect leaves, watch insects or play with snow or water, depending on the season. Staff keep watch, guide group activities and manage safety rules such as boundaries and meeting points.

Weather is part of the curriculum. Rain, wind, cold and heat are treated as conditions to prepare for rather than reasons to stay indoors, although programs have plans for extreme weather. Each group publishes its own schedule, so parents should ask about daily rhythms, staffing, shelter and emergency procedures during a visit. Details differ widely between programs.

Seasonal changes shape the year. Spring may bring flower picking and mud play, summer brings streams and insects, autumn brings fallen leaves and nuts, and winter brings snow in places that have it. Because the activities follow the weather, no two days are exactly alike, and some programs share photos or notes with families about what happened.

Benefits and things to consider

Supporters point to benefits such as physical activity, curiosity, cooperation and comfort in nature. These are common claims made by programs and educators, and researchers continue to study them, so it is helpful to treat them as part of a broader discussion. The research review mentioned earlier notes child-centered teaching and community engagement as strengths of forest kindergartens.

Parents may also weigh practical points: how far the site is from home, the hours, the staffing, the cost, whether the program is a licensed childcare facility, and how it connects to later schooling. Some programs run only a few days a week or on a part-time basis. Visiting, reading the safety policy and asking questions help families make a confident choice.

Tips for overseas parents

Start with the local city or prefectural childcare office to ask what nature-based options exist and whether a program is licensed or registered. In Nagano, the prefecture's website lists its certification and registration information in Japanese. A translation tool can help, and some programs welcome visitors who write ahead.

Prepare practical gear: layered clothing, rain gear, sturdy shoes, a hat, a change of clothes and a water bottle, following each program's list. Check the rules on insects, allergies and sun protection with the staff. Rules and certification details change, so check the current information directly. This guide shares general cultural information and published planning documents, not professional advice; for a child's health, talk with a pediatrician.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a mori no yochien?

It is a forest kindergarten, an early childhood program in which children spend much of the day outdoors in woods, fields or riversides. The concept has Scandinavian roots and has spread across Japan, with many groups in Nagano Prefecture. Programs differ in structure, so check the details of each one.

What is Shinshu-type nature-based childcare?

It is Nagano Prefecture's label for early childhood care that uses mountains, rivers and forests as learning places. The prefecture created a certification system for groups whose programs center on nature-based activities. Details such as categories, renewal and reporting are set by the prefecture, so check its website for current information.

Can foreign families enroll in a forest kindergarten?

Requirements differ by program and municipality, so it is best to ask each one directly. Licensed facilities usually go through the local childcare office, while smaller groups may enroll directly. Expect forms and communication in Japanese, and ask the program in advance whether staff can help with language needs.

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