Gentle Fasting & Yoga Retreat at Izusan Hot Springs

The gentle fasting programme at ATAMI Sekaie is built around the idea that you can fast without suffering. Instead of cutting food out entirely, the kitchen serves a reduced, macrobiotic-leaning Japanese menu — small portions, natural ingredients, low burden on the stomach and intestines. The chefs are Japanese-cuisine specialists, and the food is plated so it looks as good as it tastes. Expect traditional Japanese dishes in small courses rather than a calorie-counted diet shake.

Day 1 starts at 15:00 with check-in. At 16:00 there is a Nature & Health Walk around the Izusan area, which sits on a hillside above the sea. Before the first lesson, guests are encouraged to take a half-body bath in the hot spring. The evening is left open for a light meal, bathing, and bed, with a breathing method suggested before sleep.

Day 2 is the core day. A personal yoga lesson at 8:00 is followed by a bath, then a meal. The pattern of meal, break, bath repeats through the day, with another half-body bath later on. The yoga styles used include power yoga, yin yoga and mindfulness meditation, so the sessions can be adapted to how you are feeling. Life advisory yoga, taught by Masami, is also available — this style was developed for family and child-rearing contexts but works just as well for anyone wanting to slow down.

Day 3 has no fixed programme. You can sleep in, take a final bath, or walk around Izusan before the 11:00 check-out. The whole stay is only two nights, so it is realistic for a long weekend from Tokyo — Atami is about 50 minutes by shinkansen from Tokyo Station.

The retreat is not for everyone. The programme specifically excludes pregnant guests, people undergoing treatment for diabetes, anyone wishing to recover from an illness, anyone wanting to go completely without food, and anyone currently ill or recovering from illness. If you have a medical condition, you need to clear it with your doctor first.

What's included

- 3-day/2-night stay at ATAMI Sekaie - Gentle fasting meals (macrobiotic-influenced Japanese cuisine) - Daily personal yoga lesson - Use of Izusan hot springs - Nature & Health Walk on Day 1 - Access to the resort's bathing facilities - Breathing method guidance before bed - Supervision by Ikuzo Fujino (Kiryu Fasting School)

What's not included

- Transport to and from Atami - Travel insurance - Alcoholic drinks - Additional spa or conditioning treatments - Personal expenses - Anything not listed as included