#UrbanWellness

Tourism in Japan is soaring in 2025, with millions of international travelers flocking to major cities and iconic sites. Yet the spike creates crowd pressures for residents and visitors alike. A growing narrative points to traditional gardens as peaceful counterpoints to bustling itineraries. These serene spaces offer respite during peak seasons and provide a culturally rich alternative to crowded hotspots.

In early 2025, Japan welcomed around 14.4 million international arrivals in just four months, a 24.5% increase year over year. Analysts project annual totals could surpass 40 million, marking a new milestone for the country’s travel sector. The surge boosts local economies and cultural exchange, but it also raises concerns about overtourism and congestion at popular sites.

Japan is experiencing an unprecedented tourism surge in 2025, with record-breaking numbers of international visitors flocking to its major cities, historical landmarks, and global cultural icons. Yet as the nation grapples with the double-edged sword of economic gain and overtourism fatigue, new research and travel narratives are highlighting a calming solution: the country’s lesser-known but culturally essential gardens, which promise a tranquil escape for both domestic and international tourists during even the most crowded peak seasons.

Working out daily is often paired with the advice to rest between sessions, but a growing body of fitness expertise and medical research is highlighting one critical exception: the core. According to a recent expert review on TODAY.com, fitness professionals now recommend that you can safely train your core muscles every day, a message reinforced by leading trainers globally and findings supported by several reputable health organizations (TODAY.com, Mayo Clinic, Healthline). For Thai readers, this insight opens up new opportunities to build lifelong health, prevent pain, and shape efficient, time-saving home routines—whether in a busy Bangkok condo or a countryside home in Isaan.

Daily core training is increasingly endorsed by fitness professionals and medical experts as a safe habit—when varied and properly paced. Leading trainers agree that you can train core muscles every day, provided you mix exercises to target different areas and allow for adaptation. Biological health organizations and reputable outlets support the core’s importance beyond aesthetics, offering a timely chance for Thai readers to build sustainable wellness routines at home or in small urban spaces.

In major Thai cities, wellness trends are evolving rapidly as people seek relief from stiffness, chronic pain, and sedentary work. A growing curiosity about assisted stretching—popular in places like Los Angeles—poses questions for Thai readers: what exactly is a “flexologist,” and does this approach offer real benefits beyond DIY stretches and foam rollers common in home routines?

Assisted stretching has moved from elite therapy to mainstream studios. In the United States, brands like StretchLab have expanded to hundreds of locations, attracting office workers, seniors, and athletes alike. Sessions are typically one-on-one and led by trained practitioners who guide stretches targeting muscles and fascia to improve mobility and reduce discomfort. While this model is new to Thailand, it resonates with a long-standing local appreciation for bodywork and mobility.

The streets of Los Angeles are increasingly dotted with signs for dedicated stretching studios like StretchLab, Stretch Zone, and StretchMed, part of a nationwide wellness trend fueled by the promise of improved flexibility, pain relief, and athletic recovery. But the growth of so-called “flexology” and the rise of professional “flexologists” has left many wondering whether this new hands-on approach to stretching is worth the hype—and what it actually offers beyond the DIY foam rollers and home routines so familiar to fitness enthusiasts in Thailand and abroad (latimes.com).

A fresh wellness practice is gaining momentum online: color walking. Trending on social platforms like TikTok, this approach is praised for its simplicity and potential mental and physical benefits. As urban Thais seek accessible self-care, color walking offers a mindful, enjoyable way to slow down and reconnect with city life.

Color walking centers on choosing a color before a walk and then spotting objects of that hue along the route. Photographic wellness experts describe it as a modern twist on established mindfulness techniques, similar to the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding method or focused breathing. By directing attention to, for example, orange marigolds, blue tuk-tuks, or green mangoes, walkers leave rumination behind and engage fully with the present moment. Experts also note that the practice sharpens visual awareness and can be enhanced by nature photography. In-depth explanations highlight how this simple focus can anchor attention and foster calm.

As summer approaches and outdoor activity surges globally, a new wellness trend called “color walking” has captured the internet’s imagination and is now trending on social media platforms like TikTok. Unlike previous viral walking trends, such as the “hot girl walk” or “silent walking,” color walking is earning praise for its simplicity and its potential to bolster both mental and physical wellbeing. As more Thai people seek innovative and accessible self-care practices—especially in urban environments—color walking may offer a refreshing path to mindfulness and relaxation that aligns closely with local values and natural beauty.

A growing body of research shows that spending time at the beach isn’t just a holiday indulgence—it can be a powerful way to improve mental health and overall well-being, often referred to as “sea therapy.” The latest studies reinforce what many Thais have long sensed: proximity to blue spaces, including beaches, rivers, and lakes, can lift mood, reduce stress, and foster a sense of community and connection, making “beach days” more than a leisure activity but a practical mental health intervention.

Beach days are more than leisure. Growing evidence suggests time by the coast can lift mood, cut stress, and support overall well-being. This concept, often called sea therapy or blue health, is gaining attention as researchers highlight the benefits of blue spaces—coastlines, rivers, and lakes—for mental health.

Thailand sits at the heart of this conversation. With more than 3,000 kilometers of coastline, renowned resorts, and vibrant coastal communities, the sea is part of everyday life from Phuket sunsets to Pattaya weekend getaways. In a post-pandemic world, understanding how beach time supports mental health could help communities across the country make the most of Thailand’s coastal treasures.

Walking has long been a staple in daily Thai life, weaving through the rhythms of city streets and countryside paths alike. But as urban lifestyles grow more sedentary and gym culture rises, many are left wondering whether this simple, accessible activity can genuinely help us build muscle, burn fat, or both. Recent research, highlighted in a comprehensive GQ feature, draws on a global body of evidence and new scientific studies that shed fresh light on the true impact of walking—insights that offer practical guidance for Thais seeking healthier habits.

Walking is woven into daily life across Thailand, from busy city sidewalks to peaceful rural trails. Yet with more sedentary routines and rising gym culture, many wonder if this simple activity can truly build muscle or torch fat. A recent feature in GQ reviews a global body of research and new studies, offering practical guidance for Thais seeking healthier habits.

As obesity and sedentary work rise in Thailand, understanding walking’s benefits could shape both national health strategies and personal choices. Data from a multi-regional study shows walking remains the most popular form of physical activity worldwide, including in Thai cities where parks, elevated walkways, and footpaths bustle with walkers of all ages. For millions who stroll for exercise or daily transport, the big question is whether they are reaping real health benefits.

Pilates has surged in popularity globally and in Thailand, with local fitness centers offering more classes and brands like Virgin Active featuring Pilates prominently in their wellness line-ups.Virgin Active Thailand But what should fitness enthusiasts and health-focused Thais know about the two most popular forms: Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates? Recent research and expert opinions clarify the benefits, limitations, and best fit for different health objectives—an issue especially relevant as Thais increasingly seek gentler, holistic exercise options.

Pilates has grown popular in Thailand, with more studios, gyms, and wellness programs embracing its methods. As Thais seek gentler, holistic exercise options, understanding Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates helps people choose what best fits their health goals.

Originating from Joseph Pilates’ system in the early 20th century, Pilates emphasizes slow, controlled movements for core strength, posture, flexibility, and mindful breathing. The primary difference lies in equipment: Mat Pilates uses body weight on a mat, while Reformer Pilates uses a spring-loaded machine that provides resistance. Both approaches offer distinct benefits for different bodies, health aims, and lifestyles.