4-Day Autumn Yoga Retreat in a Traditional Japanese Onsen Village

Days here follow a pattern rather than a packed schedule. Day 1 starts with check-in from 2pm, free time to soak in the onsen, a welcome chat with Rowie at 4pm, then grounding yin yoga from 4:30–5:45pm and a degustation dinner with local sake. Day 2 opens with flow yoga and meditation from 7:30–9am, group brunch at Shizen Cafe, and a guided nature walk from 11am. The afternoon is yours — onsen, massage, the gondola, or rest — before restorative yin at 5pm. Dinner that night is free; you can eat solo or join Rowie at her favourite local izakaya (that dinner isn't included in the price).

Day 3 has an optional early start: a self-led walk through Nozawa's morning market on the main street from 6–7:30am. Then it's the same morning flow and brunch, free afternoon, restorative yin at 5pm, and a group dinner with a local chef at 6:30pm. Day 4 is the last one — final flow yoga and meditation at 7:30am, farewell brunch at the cafe, and check-out at 11am with luggage storage available if you want to squeeze in one more onsen or massage before you go. Timings can shift slightly depending on the group and the season.

What makes this different from a generic yoga retreat is that you're staying inside a working village, not at an isolated resort. Nozawaonsen is a real onsen town — locals use the community hot spring baths, and guests get free use of them. The ryokan has been family-run for more than 18 generations and has its own private indoor and outdoor onsen, sauna and cold plunge, so you can bathe at the accommodation or wander out to the public ones.

Rowie hosts this personally, and the whole thing happens in spaces she created. Morning and evening classes run at Shizen Yoga Studio with views over the mountains; brunches are at Shizen Cafe. Mats and props — premium natural rubber — are provided at no charge, so you don't need to bring your own.

The Shinrin-yoku forest bathing walk is guided by Rowie herself and rated easy to moderate, so it works for most fitness levels. A round-trip gondola ticket is included along with a picnic pack, and there's a welcome pack with a tote bag, a journal with reflection prompts, a local stamp collection guide and snacks. Onsite support is available throughout your stay.

What's included

- Welcome pack — tote bag, journal with reflection prompts, local stamp collection guide booklet, and snacks - Traditional ryokan accommodation in the heart of the village (family-run for over 18 generations) - Private indoor and outdoor onsen, sauna, and cold plunge at the ryokan - 3 x daily brunch at Shizen Cafe - 2 x farm-to-table degustation dinners with local chefs - Daily yoga and meditation with Rowie Geraerts (morning vinyasa flow, evening yin yoga) - Premium natural rubber yoga mats and props provided free of charge - Round-trip gondola ticket and picnic pack - Guided Shinrin-yoku forest bathing walk with Rowie (easy–moderate) - Free use of Nozawa's community hot spring baths - Onsite hosting and support throughout your stay - Hand-selected local experiences

What's not included

- International flights - Travel insurance - Saturday evening izakaya dinner (optional, not included in retreat price) - Massages and spa treatments - Personal expenses - Transport to and from Nozawaonsen (shinkansen from Tokyo not included)