Sensing Beauty
JAPAN
Yoga Retreat
April 18 - 24, 2027
Nagano, Japan
Imagine enchanted forests filled with ancient cedar trees, sacred paths, and Shinto temples. Picture majestic gardens coming alive with delicate, pink cherry blossoms. Snow-capped mountains surround beautiful villages and historic Buddhist temples. This is Japan's Nagano Prefecture, known for its slower pace and wild, natural beauty.
Traditional Japanese practices rooted in spirituality, ritual, and mindfulness have inspired the theme of this retreat: Sensing Beauty. On retreat, we'll practice forest bathing, participate in a traditional tea ceremony, meditatively copy Buddhist scriptures, and soak under the stars in a 100-year-old onsen bath. These are just some of the experiences that make Nagano an ideal place to decompress, learn from the Japanese people, and deepen our yoga practice.
The Japanese philosophy of Wabi-sabi has shaped our vision for Sensing Beauty. In a world that encourages us to strive for perfection and pursue more, Wabi-sabi offers an alternative. It's a way of living that values the natural world and recognizes the beauty of imperfection, impermanence, and simplicity.
As we journey, yoga will guide us inward to reframe how we see and engage the world around us. Sensing Beauty retreat invites you to slow down, attune to your senses, and live with intention. After our time in Japan, you will return home feeling a renewed sense of mindfulness, appreciation, and inspiration.
KYOTO EXTENSION (OPTIONAL)
April 24-27
No trip to Japan would be complete without visiting Kyoto, the cultural capital of Japan for centuries. It was home to emperors and thousands of Buddhist temples. Kyoto has become one of the most popular places to visit in Japan. After our time in Nagano, we have planned a three-day retreat extension focused on Kyoto's most picturesque Buddhist temples and the historic Gion district, home to the city's iconic geishas.
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![Buddhist Temples]()
Buddhist Temples
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![Village in Japan]()
Picturesque Villages
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![Sakura (Cherry Blossoms)]()
Sakura (Cherry Blossoms)
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![Japanese Bridge]()
Natural Beauty
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![Japanese Tea Ceremony]()
Tea Ceremony
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![People on bridge in Japan]()
Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing)
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![Forest Bathing]()
Forest Bathing
Trip Highlights
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![Yoga Studio Japan]()
Yoga
Angela will lead a thoughtful yoga journey, including themed talks, slow flow yoga, and meditation practices. We will also focus on how Japanese philosophy and Buddhist wisdom can nurture a mindful way of living.
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![Nagano Zenkoji Temple]()
Excursions and Sites
In Nagano, we will explore Nagano City, Chikuma, Obuse, and Togakushi. Bram will teach about the culture and history of Japan and help bring to life the places we visit.
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![Copying Buddhist sutras]()
Japanese Cultural Activities
We have hand-picked and planned cultural experiences to learn more about our host country. These include copying Buddhist sutras, tea ceremony, forest bathing, and visiting Buddhist and Shinto temples.
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![Japanese soba]()
Delicious Meals
Experience the delicate flavors and arrangement of Japanese cuisine. Bram’s superpower is finding the best places to eat wherever we travel.
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![Outdoor onsen bath]()
Onsen Baths
Our hotels in Nagano have traditional indoor and outdoor hot spring mineral water baths to relax your body and mind.
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![Angela and Eriko]()
Local Partner
Our dear friend Eriko will accompany us as our local guide and translator. She and Angela have been soul sisters since their first yoga teacher training, almost 15 years ago! Eriko lives in Nagano; it’s basically her fault we fell in love with the region.
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![Kyoto temple at sunrise]()
Temple Mornings in Kyoto
Each morning we will set off early to visit Kyoto’s beautiful Buddhist temples. Our visits will incorporate brief meditation sessions.
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![Monks at Zenkoji Temple]()
Zenkoji Temple
A sunrise visit to one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in Japan. We will join the monks for O-Asaji (morning service), their meditation and chanting ritual, in a candlelit hall.
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![Togakushi Shrine]()
Ancient Shinto Trail
We’ll visit Togakushi to hike the ancient Shinto trail made up of several shrines. We’ll practice Forest Bathing while winding through towering cedar trees. You’ll feel transported to a mythical place.
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![Hokusai’s Wave]()
Hokusai Museum
In Obuse, we will visit the Katsushika Hokusai Museum. The artist famous for his wave woodblock print lived in Obuse during the last five years of his life. The museum houses an excellent collection of his work.
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In Nagano
7 days, 6 nights accommodation in a traditional Japanese ryokan
Delicious meals
Breakfast and dinner every day
3 lunches are included
Every meal has vegetarian and vegan options
Train from Tokyo to Nagano.
Private bus for day trips
Daily yoga & meditation classes with Angela
Daily discussions about Japan and East Asia’s history and culture with Bram
Unlimited onsen (natural hot spring bath) at ryokan
Chado - traditional Japanese tea ceremony
Hanami - cherry blossom viewing
Day trip to Togakushi Shinto Shrine with shinrin-yoku (forest bathing)
Day trip to Obuse. including the Hokusai museum
Visit to Nagano Zenkoji Buddhist temple
Participation in morning prayer services at the temple,
Zazen (seated meditation)
Shakyo (Buddhist sutra copying)
Taxes & Fees
In Kyoto
Train from Nagano to Kyoto
3 nights in a sustainable hotel
3 breakfasts and dinners
At least 2 classes with Angela
2 mornings visiting Buddhist temples
Walking tour of Gion (Geisha district)
Travel card for Kyoto
Taxes & Fees
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Airfare to and from Japan
Travel insurance
Spending money
Alcohol
Tips for staff
In Nagano
Transportation from Nagano to Tokyo
Lunch on 2 days
Sake tasting in Obuse
In Kyoto
Transportation from Kyoto to airport
Lunch
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Our Japan retreat is much more than a yoga holiday. It’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in Japanese culture, customs, and daily life.
In Nagano, we will sleep at a traditional lodge, savor Japanese food, and head deep into the mountains to hike the sacred Togakuchi shrine trail.
As we get lost in the rhythms of Japan, the living beauty of the landscape, the culture, and the people of Japan will be active participants in our practice. The wisdom of wabi-sabi will gently guide our awareness to what really matters - sensing the simple beauty of nature, connecting more deeply to ourselves and each other, and learning from the Japanese people.
Ichi-go ichi-e is a well-loved Japanese phrase meaning “this meeting, this time only.” It reminds people to treasure this particular experience as it will never be repeated.
Bram will lead the outward portion of our journey. He will guide us through and explain Japan’s culture and history.
Angela will guide the journey inward with yoga, meditation, and mindfulness practices. She will help you dive deep within yourself to notice the imprint of this inspiring place and its people.
Eriko will be our local guide and translator. A trained yoga teacher who lives in Nagano Prefecture, she will explain local traditions, culture, and things to see off-the-beaten-path.
“Thus travel spins us round in two ways at once: It shows us the sights and values and issues that we might ordinarily ignore; but it also, and more deeply, shows us all the parts of ourselves that might otherwise grow rusty. For in traveling to a truly foreign place, we inevitably travel to moods and states of mind and hidden inward passages that we’d otherwise seldom have cause to visit.” - Pico Iyer
Accommodation
Nagano
Traditional Japanese Ryokan
Our first accommodation is a charming boutique inn offering a tranquil cocoon with serene gardens.
Sit down on the tatami mat floor and unwind with a cup of tea as you enjoy the soothing ambience of your room. Open the shoji screens for views of your private garden or the surrounding mountains.
The onsen baths are the heart and soul of this inn. You have unlimited access to indoor and outdoor natural hot spring mineral water baths to relax your body and mind.
We have secured exclusive rental of this ryokan, so you can relax in traditional Japanese style and feel at home with our group.
Click on images to enlarge.
Kyoto
Chic, Sustainable Hotel
Our accommodation in the heart of Kyoto offers comfort of mind and body. Guided by the philosophy that “good things take time,” this hotel emphasizes natural materials with a focus on wellness, the environment, and sustainability. Relax in sophistication with the “essence of Kyoto” captured in the design of the hotel.
Despite being in Kyoto’s bustling downtown, this hotel has an abundance of spaces to enjoy greenery and nature, including a wall of ivy and a private space for yoga.
Click on images to enlarge.
Pricing
Nagano
Private room
$3900 per person - Early Bird Discount until September 1
$4200 after September 1
Shared room
$3400 per person - Early Bird Discount until September 1
$3700 after September 1
Kyoto Extension
Private room
$2400 per person - Early Bird Discount until September 1
$2700 after September 1
Shared room
$2200 per person - Early Bird Discount until September 1
$2500 after September 1
An $800 non-refundable deposit secures your spot on the retreat. If you want to add the Kyoto extension, an additional $200 non-refundable deposit is required.
The second payment is due by October 1, 2026.
The remaining balance is due by February 1, 2027.
If you’d like to discuss alternative payment options, please contact us.
FAQs
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Travel in Japan
All international travel requires stepping outside one's comfort zone. If you have never traveled with us before or have any questions about travel in Japan, we ask that you have a chat with us before submitting your deposit.
Weather
April is an ideal time to visit Nagano, Japan. It’s springtime, and the cherry blossoms are in bloom. Days are pleasant with temperatures in the 60s Fahrenheit. The evenings are cooler.
Kyoto will be slightly warmer, but still pleasant.
Visitors should prepare for a range of temperatures and pack accordingly.
Amenities & Internet
Wi-fi access is complimentary. Laundry service is available for an additional cost.
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What Airport Should I Fly Into?
Everyone should fly into one of Tokyo’s two international airports. Narita (NRT) is further from the city center. Haneda (HND) is closer. It is easy to take a train from either airport to downtown Tokyo.
We will meet downtown at Tokyo Station and take a train to Nagano, as a group.
What Airlines Do You Recommend?
Most major airlines fly to Japan. Choose the airline that works best for you.
When Should I Arrive?
Plan to arrive in Tokyo no later than 6 am on Sunday, April 18, so you have time to get to Tokyo Station in downtown and meet the group.
We recommend arriving at least one day early and spending a night in Tokyo. That way you can see a little bit of Tokyo and begin adjusting to the time change.
When Should I Depart?
That depends on where you want to go after Nagano. If you are flying home on April 24, it’s easiest to fly out of Tokyo airport.
Please book your flight departure no earlier than 6 pm. We will depart from Nagano at 10 am. It can take up to 4 hours to get to the airport.
If you are continuing on to Kyoto with the group, you can fly home from Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Osaka. It takes about an hour to travel from Kyoto to KIX airport.
Please book your flight departure from Osaka no earlier than 3 pm. We will depart from Kyoto at 11 am.
What are good resources to look for Flights?
Our preferred search engine to first look for an international flight is Kayak. Expedia and JustFly are also good resources. We also recommend looking at an airline’s website after you find a flight on a search engine. There are sometimes better deals on the airline’s website.
How Long Should I Wait to Buy My Flight?
The recommended time to purchase international fares at the best deals varies. You’re likely to find the best deals 6 months to 3 months before your travel date.
Kayak also makes recommendations about when it is a good time to buy a flight.
Flight Booking Advice
We recommend booking flights directly with the carrier, rather than through a third party. Some tickets booked through third parties can be difficult to change due to unexpected events, such as inclement weather.
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The $800 or $1000 deposit secures your place and is non-refundable.
If you wish to cancel your trip, you must notify Angela and Bram via email. Once we’ve received your notice, cancellation will take effect subject to the following:
If cancellation takes place on or before September 1, 2026, any payments made will be refunded, minus your deposit.
If cancellation takes place after September 1, 2026, all payments will be forfeited, and no refunds will be given.
Any refunds will incur a 6% administrative cost
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Always purchase travel insurance that covers your trip interruption, trip cancellation, luggage and/or valuables loss, and medical assistance, including repatriation if necessary. We recommend travel insurance that includes "cancel for any reason" coverage.
Please ensure that your passport is valid, with at least 6 months until expiry, and that you are aware of immigration/visa laws in Japan.
Visas: As a US citizen, you do not need a visa to enter Japan.
If you have any questions that we have not answered, please write to us HERE.