Japan Yoga & Meditation Retreat (Wait list available)

Yoga, Mindfulness & Buddhism

Come to Japan on a Reclaim Yourself Yoga Retreat with Zephyr Wildman. Immerse yourself in Buddhist teachings with daily yoga, mindfulness and meditation and traditional Japanese culture. You’ll stay at a peaceful temple in Kyushu and meditate with a Zen master, enjoy a traditional tea ceremony, ikebana flower art and soak in the onsen thermal hot spring baths. Then a change of pace as we zip into the beautiful city of Kyoto on the Shinkansen bullet train to explore markets and temple gardens filled with cherry blossoms.

Your first destination is the peaceful countryside of the Kunisaki Peninsula on the island of Kyushu, where we stay at a beautiful temple with its own onsen. Little developed, our location is dotted with sleepy hamlets and temples with verdant forests and paddy fields interspersed with craggy ridges and mountains.

Our resident Zen Buddhist priest will offer morning meditation sessions and Zephyr will lead a deeply held and thoughtful yoga journey including themed talks, vinyasa and meditation practices with a focus on Buddhist teachings and how the key principles of Buddhism can support a mindful way of living.

The Japanese art of chado, the timeless and gentle traditional tea ceremony and ikebana flower arranging with a local expert using wild flowers and plants are part of your retreat. Between your sessions you’ll have time to soak in the onsen and enjoy the beautiful temple gardens.

We will also have some exploring the area, including the old Samurai village of Kitsuki. We visit Makiodo, a treasure house of Buddhist relics and a local sake brewery and walk to Tashibu-no-sho, a charming village with some of the most picturesque countryside found in Japan. We then walk along ancient pilgrims trails through forests to the spectacular Kumano Magai-butsu, the largest Buddha relief carvings in Japan that date back over 900 years.

Then it’s time to jump on the Shinkansen bullet train to the city of Kyoto. We have exclusive use of a boutique hotel near the Kamogawa river. Our time in Kyoto includes yoga at a local studio, a guided walking tour to Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, a temple famous for its rows of unique Buddha statues and Saihōji, a fairytale like moss temple. We will be eating are local cafes, noodle bars and restaurants to experience the many flavours and traditions of Japanese cuisine and there will be free time to explore the city at your own pace. 

Accommodation

We have 12 places on this retreat. In Kunisaki you’ll be staying in a traditional Japanese temple, a peaceful location set in beautiful forested mountains. Our temple also has its own onsen (hot springs) that we can enjoy each day. All rooms have tatatami beds and a private toilet. The showers are located in the private onsen.

In Kyoto we stay in a small 4 story boutique hotel in a quiet but central residential area near the Kamogawa river. We have all the rooms booked for our group. Rooms have Western style beds and are ensuite.

Your retreat menu

In Kunisaki you’ll enjoy 3 Japanese style meals each day. Meals include locally sourced fish but we can cater for vegetarian and vegan meals too. Please note that gluten free menus are not possible here.

On some days your lunch will be bento style as we will be out exploring.  On our trip to Midozo we will have lunch at a local farm, made up of local produce that includes foraged, seasonal wild vegetables. Water and green tea will be available with your meals.

In Kyoto we will eat in local cafes, noodle bars and restaurants and experience the many flavours and traditions of Japanese cuisine.

What’s included

Your yoga retreat includes the following:

• 4 nights accommodation in Kunisaki
• 3 nights accommodation in Kyoto
• Daily yoga classes with Zephyr
• Daily Zen Buddhist meditation at Futago-ji temple
• Unlimited onsen in Kunisaki
• All your meals in Kunisaki
• Daily breakfast, 2 lunches and 2 dinners in Kyoto
• Chado – traditional Japanese tea ceremony
• Ikebana – traditional Japanese flower arranging
• A day exploring ancient temples and rural life in Kunisaki
• Walking tour of Arashiyama in Kyoto
• Transfers from Fukuoka to Usa, Kunisaki
• Shinkansen train from Usa to Kyoto

What’s extra:

• Return flights Tokyo/Osaka
• Domestic flight or train to Fukuoka
• Train from Kyoto to Tokyo/Osaka
• 1 packed lunch on Shinkansen + 1 dinner in Kyoto
• Taxis in Kyoto

Travel to Japan

Travel from UK (mail us if you’d like advice on travel options from another location)

Our Japan Retreat takes place in 2 locations. We start at Fukuoka and we finish in Kyoto. The easiest travel route is via Osaka but Tokyo also works.

International flights from UK to Japan

You can fly London to Osaka with one stop or fly direct to Tokyo with British Airways, Japan Airways and Nippon Airways.

Domestic flights and trains

From Osaka or Tokyo you can take an onward domestic flight or train to Fukuoka. From Kyoto back to Osaka or Tokyo it is easy to take the train. We will send flight and train details and fares when you book.

The Shinkansen train from Kyushu to Kyoto is included in your retreat.