KYOTO, JAPAN
The land of the rising sun, Japan is full of ritual and a quiet reverence for simplicity.
Tea ceremony and yoga in temples will ground us, while walking the ancient paths filled
with shrines, delicate blossoms, and whispering bamboo will fill our days.
Why do we love Japan?
There is such a stark difference in culture in Japan. You automatically have to adjust to the differences—be prepared to go off autopilot. There is beauty in the way everything is done here. You can quickly see the respect people have for their work, their homes and their land. It is no wonder Marie Kondo has such a following in the west— when we think of the food and the spaces in Japan, the word clean comes to mind. We are drawn to the attention to detail, the appreciation of simplicity, and the zen energy of the way life is lived here. We come home with such perspective for the way we live our everyday lives. Kyoto offers a glimpse into this quiet, structured and spiritual place.
What is there to experience in Kyoto?
We have chosen to stick to Kyoto as our base of exploration because it has the best of the culture in a concentrated, calm area. You can always add the hustle and bustle of Tokyo or other cities to your trip, but we wanted to experience one place fully. To start with, Kyoto has over 1600 temples and shrines, including the famed Golden Pavilion and the Torii Gates. You can walk the Gion entertainment district, where the cotton candy colored attire of the geishas that work in the area provide stark contrast to the pale wooden restaurants and zen gardens of the area. You can stop at Nishiki Market, known as Kyoto’s kitchen, to explore local food culture. And nature is sure to wow you here—from the Sagano Bamboo Forest to the cherry blossoms floating over the Shirakawa River, it’s easy to feel calm and introspective.
Why come on a wellness retreat to Japan?
We cannot think of a single other place that is so perfectly in tune with wellness. Japan incorporates spirituality and ritual into everything they do. From tea ceremony to meditation, they are the source of the basis of many of our wellness practices in the west. Their onsens (bathing rituals) have been around for centuries, so spas are not considered a luxury, but an essential part of living. Clean, vegetable and fish based foods are not health foods here—they are just food. There are endless opportunities for introspection and reflection at the temples and parks here, and the minimalist setting creates space for creativity. From meditation led by a monk to daily yoga in a temple, we love getting to incorporate the best of Japanese wellness into this retreat.
CURRENT KYOTO RETREATS
YOGA + CREATIVITY [LUXURY] - Back by popular demand! Our newly redesigned Japan itinerary is set for the colorful & picturesque autumn season in the land of the rising sun. Stay in a boutique hotel, and enjoy cultural activities, tastings, yoga in a temple, a Japanese spa day, and more!