Essence of Zen: A 9-Day Yoga & Mindfulness Retreat Through Japan's Temples and Alps

Day one begins in Tokyo, where the group meets and has an opening practice before travelling out. By day two you're in Nagano, in the historic streets around Zenkoji Temple, staying in traditional temple accommodation. The temple area is a former samurai town, and mornings here start with Zen meditation and yoga before breakfast; afternoons are for the tea ceremony, walking the temple precincts and exploring on foot. On at least one morning there's the chance to sit with local monks.

The middle stretch moves to Nozawa Onsen, reached by train and road through the Japanese Alps. Nozawa is a working hot-spring village — narrow streets, wooden buildings, steam rising from the springs — and it becomes home for four nights. The daily structure holds: Ashtanga or Mysore-style practice in the morning with hands-on assists, breakfast, a free block in the middle of the day, then a workshop or an outing such as a nature walk or pilgrimage route, followed by Yin, restorative or Zenthai-inspired movement at 4pm and dinner at 6:30. Evenings are open, and the village onsens are a short walk from the accommodation.

What separates this from other Japan yoga trips is where it sleeps. Three of the nine nights are in temple accommodation in Nagano, which most commercial retreats don't arrange, and the Nozawa leg puts you in a genuine onsen village rather than a hotel outside it. There are also three facilitators rather than one, so the group gets individual attention in both the yoga sessions and the cultural visits — Kimiko in particular brings local knowledge as a Japanese teacher who runs her own Ashtanga studio.

Food is plant-based and communal: breakfast and dinner are included each day, eaten together at the accommodation or at local restaurants, and dishes run to Japanese home cooking — miso soup, rice, seasonal vegetables, pickles, tofu — rather than a Western menu. Lunch is usually left open so you can eat where you end up, whether that's a soba shop in Nagano or a bakery in Nozawa.

The pace is deliberately unhurried. There's one workshop or tour most afternoons, not a packed schedule, and the free block from mid-morning to early afternoon is protected. The final days loop back toward Tokyo for departure. Practically, this suits people who want to practise daily without it being an intensive training camp, and who are happy to move between towns by train with a small group.

What's included

- 8 nights / 9 days Japanese-style accommodation (Western style on request where available) - Plant-based breakfast and dinner throughout the retreat - Daily yoga and meditation programme (twice most days) - Zen meditation guided by local monks - Traditional Japanese tea ceremony - Tours and experience fees within the retreat itinerary - Nature walks and pilgrimage site visits - Transportation between retreat locations during the retreat - Guidance from three experienced facilitators

What's not included

- International flights - Airport transfers to and from Tokyo - Lunches - Travel insurance - Personal expenses and souvenirs - Optional activities outside the itinerary