Japan Yoga & qigong Retreat

28th NOVEMBER - 5th December 2024

 
 

Get ready for an immersive trip where you’ll experience a beautiful mix of mindfulness, yoga, qigong, meditation and traditional Japanese culture.

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 thermal baths.

Little developed, our location is dotted with sleepy hamlets and temples with verdant forests and paddy fields interspersed with craggy ridges and mountains.

Then a change of pace as we zip into the beautiful city of Kyoto on the Shinkansen bullet train to stay in the old geisha district, explore more temples and gardens and enjoy delicious Japanese food.

About the practice, activities and more. Highlights include:

  • Twice daily yoga and qigong classes with James

  • Daily Zen Buddhist meditation

  • Unlimited onsen in Kunisaki

  • All your Michelin star meals in Kunisaki

  • Daily breakfast 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

  • A temple morning and Gion night tour in Kyoto

 
 

Our resident Zen Buddhist priest will offer morning meditation sessions and James will lead a deeply held mindfulness and movement journey combining breath work, yoga and qigong. 

The Japanese art of chado, the timeless and gentle traditional tea ceremony and ikebana flower art with a local expert using wild flowers and plants are also part of your retreat.

Between all these sessions you’ll have time to soak in the onsen and enjoy the beautiful temple gardens.

 
 
 
 

We will explore the old Samurai village of Kitsuki and visit Tashibu-no-sho, a charming village with some of the most picturesque countryside found in Japan.

We will 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.

Our retreat will then continue in the city of Kyoto, including 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 also have a night tour of Gion, the famous geisha district and we will be eating at local cafes, noodle bars and restaurants to experience the many flavours and traditions of Japanese cuisine.

 
 
 
 

On this retreat you’ll be eating delicious, traditional Japanese food.

If you have not been to Japan previously, you may find some of the dishes unfamiliar.

Our chefs are wonderful and the food is amazing but do be prepared to be adventurous!

 
 
 
 

Practice level and suitability

James teaches in an open and inclusive way, with many different options and levels.

During our time in Kyushu, you’ll practice twice a day. Your morning practice will be 90 minutes long combining breath work and mindful, flowing movement including qigong.

No prior knowledge of qigong is required and is suitable for all levels. It works to leave you feeling calm and clear in mind, and revitalised and strong in body.

Your afternoon practice will be a 90 minute qigong and yoga fusion. These classes combine fluid, slow flowing vinyasa sequences of postures linked through breath and awareness. There will be a focus on embodiment, inner connection and playfulness; leaving you feeling uplifted and vibrant.

 
 

Pricing

Twin Room

£3595 (per person)

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Twin room ensuite

£3995 (per person)

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Private adjoining room

£4395 (per person)

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Private room

£4995 (per person)

Prices include 4 nights accommodation in Kunisaki and 3 nights accommodation in Kyoto, all your Michelin star meals in Kunisaki, daily breakfast and 2 dinners in Kyoto plus many activities

Prices do not include flights, train to Fukuoka, train from Kyoto to Tokyo/Osaka, 2 lunches + 1 dinner in Kyoto, taxis in Kyoto