Sorry this retreat is being postponed until 2024 - new date to follow soon
We’ve teamed up with Bluerise Retreat again to bring you this wonderful Japanese retreat in the heart of the stunning Kiso valley during cherry blossom season.
See the old-world vistas of Japan that the Kiso valley is known for, take inspiring yoga classes with Naomi Hayama and enjoy life in a 5* traditional Ryokan with it’s Onsen hot spring spa, delicious food and on-site massages.
We will begin our 9- day magical journey together in Tokyo, where we will meet, dine and have one night in the Park Hotel Tokyo, to have the opportunity to see Tokyo and give our bodies time to rest. The next day after breakfast we will take the train together through stunning scenery, via Nagano, before arriving at our retreat centre in the Kiso valley. There will be guided walking on beautiful trails on most days of the retreat, a few fun workshops (calligraphy, soba noodle and chopstick making) and inspirational yoga classes twice daily (before breakfast and dinner). All activities are optional. Please see below for the full schedule.
Check out this video to get an idea of the peaceful, traditional nature of the Ryokan and the beautiful surrounding valley.
This retreat includes:
A full body massage
1 night at the Park Hotel Tokyo
7 nights accommodation in a 5* traditional Japanese Ryokan in the Kiso valley
Healthy and delicious meals. Breakfast, most lunches and dinner (lunch at local restaurants at your own expense on 3 occasions)
A full week of yoga classes (check the retreat schedule for detailed info)
Guided hikes through the Kiso valley
A calligraphy workshop
A visit to the Kiso culture centre to learn about Japanese traditions and take part in fun workshops like chopstick making
All travel between Tokyo and the retreat centre
ACCOMMODATION
Our retreat centre in Japan is a luxury Ryokan (a traditional Japanese Inn) surrounded by the old-world vistas of Japan that the Kiso Valley is known for. This 5* Ryokan features indoor and outdoor therapeutic mineral springs, communal spaces both inside and out where guests can relax and take in the beautiful views, rooms with woven-straw flooring, traditional Japanese furniture and futon mats.
The modern, elegant rooms are all en suite. They have traditional Japanese furniture, living areas with sofas and tables, as well as terraces with garden views. Rooms with tatami floors, futons and chabudai dining tables are available. Upgraded rooms have open-air baths on the balcony.
4 types of en suite rooms available:
Standard Japanese room – up to 2 people (can be reserved as single occupancy)
Japanese room with semi open air bath – up to 2 people (can be reserved as single occupancy)
Large Japanese room with open air bath – up to 4 people (perfect for couples or a small group of friends)
Large deluxe Japanese room with open air bath – up to 4 people (perfect for couples or a small group of friends)
HEALTHY EATING
The quality of the food on our retreats is very important to us. You will enjoy healthy, nutritional vegetarian meals carefully chosen by our local chef to complement the retreat perfectly. The food will be absolutely delicious and mostly vegetarian or vegan but you can opt for fish or meat when booking your retreat. Please include your dietary requirements in the section provided at checkout. We use organic and local produce where possible.
ABOUT THE TEACHER
Naomi Hayama will guide you through an inspiring week of classes. Specialising in Hatha Yoga and Mindfulness Meditation, Naomi also interweaves Vinyasa Flow, Restorative Yoga, Yin Yoga and somatic movements.
She will introduce you to wonderful relaxation and meditation practices that will help you to feel relaxed and focused. You will also learn refined elements of yoga such as Pranayama (energy/breathing techniques), Nada Yoga (vibration/sound) and Mudras (seal/gestures). Her creative classes will have you feeling balanced and energised.
For over 16 years, Naomi has been teaching people of all abilities, from complete beginners to experienced practitioners. She can tailor the classes to suit your own specific needs, making this retreat available to all. She will guide you to deepen your yoga practice in an enjoyable and balanced way.
As well as a wonderful break in stunning surroundings, this yoga retreat will help to encourage and instil your own personal practice once you return home, meaning that the benefits you’ve gained will stay with you.
THE HIKES
Experience guided walks through the stunning Kiso valley during cherry blossom season.
Our gentle half day hikes last 2 – 4 hours (including stopping for lunch) with plenty of time to take in the beautiful views. On our hikes we will visit some wonderful rural villages along the Nakasendo trail (more on this below). No prior fitness level is required and it’s optional to attend.
THE KISO VALLEY
The Kiso Valley (木曽路, Kisoji) is located in Nagano Prefecture, and runs alongside the mountains of the Central Alps in Japan.
From the early 1600s until the late 1800s, the Nakasendo (“path through mountains”) served as a vital travel artery, connecting Kyoto and Edo (now Tokyo). 70km of this ancient trade route ran through Kiso along with 11 of it’s ‘post towns’; from Magome in the south to Niekawa in the north. Restrictions enforced by the shogunate in the 17th and 18th centuries meant that travellers had to make their trip on foot, which lead to the development of post towns every few kilometers to provide travellers with places to eat and rest.
Along the Kiso Valley, a few post towns, particularly Magome, Tsumago and Narai, have been incredibly well preserved to look as they did when they served travellers of the Nakasendo. On our walks through the Kiso valley we will be able to enjoy the stone paths and traditional wooden Japanese buildings of a bygone era.
Some Kiso facts:
The Kiso Valley is bordered by the Central Alps to the east and Mt Ontake to the west
The wooden products you find for sale around Kiso are made from top quality hinoki cypress; prized by emperors, it will last for centuries
The Ontake faith is a blend of Shinto, esoteric Buddhism, and ancient shamanic practices
At 3,067 meters, Mt Ontake is Japan’s second highest volcano after Mt Fuji
BOOKING
Please book directly with Eleanor from Bluerise Retreat. We are currently offering 10% discount for early booking. Please use ‘yogajapan’.
PRICE
Price starts from £2,450
We are currently offering early bird 10% discount. Use ‘yogajapan’ on checkout.
Feedback from previous yoga retreat with Naomi
"The yoga was so good for me, Naomi, I had expected to be at a loss, after not doing it for so long, but your excellent way of teaching reminded me what an important and restorative thing it is to do, and convinced me to continue" - Lorna from 2017 retreat.
"It was fantastic to have so much time to explore different yoga practice which normally there would not be time for. It was great to be able to practice outside. The whole retreat was very enjoyable" - Danny from 2018 retreat.
“I feel relaxed for the first time in many months! Just what I needed. It was really fabulous. I really liked how the classes built upon each other and the pace to reach different asana was really good. I also liked the atmosphere and attitude towards yoga - relaxed and fun but also very informative. Really good balance” - Julia from 2020