Wellness Retreat with Onsen Hot Springs and Yoga in Hakone, Japan

The retreat is held at Aura Tachibana, a ryokan that sits on the highest hill in Hakone Yumoto, overlooking the mountains. The inn has a sky terrace and a mix of Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats and Western-style rooms, all with mountain views. The hot springs are a central part of the experience — there are indoor and outdoor baths, and some rooms have their own private onsen. The water is natural hot spring water, with abundant flow and a pH of 8.7, which is said to be beneficial for the skin.

Daily yoga is held in an indoor Japanese-style banquet room with tatami flooring, looking out over the gardens. Mornings start with a vinyasa flow class that links movement with breath, including strengthening and lengthening poses, and options for backbends, arm balances, and inversions for those who want them. Evenings are yin yoga, with longer-held seated and supine poses that target deeper layers of connective tissue. Each class includes guided meditation.

Beyond yoga, the retreat includes several group outings. One full day is a trip to Kamakura, a coastal city about an hour away, where you'll visit a Buddhist temple, a Shinto shrine, and the Great Buddha statue. Another day includes a boat trip on Lake Ashi, followed by a cable car ride at Owakudani, a volcanic valley with hot springs and views of Mount Fuji. There's also time to walk the nature trails around Hakone and Lake Ashi.

The retreat is led by Sally Mitchell, who has been teaching yoga since 2010 and leading retreats since 2014. She's a certified massage therapist, Reiki practitioner, and ChiRunning instructor, and she integrates these into her teaching. The group is small — usually 20-25 people — so you get personal attention.

The main difference between this retreat and others in the area is the combination of daily yoga with the onsen bathing culture. The hot springs are a genuine part of the experience, not just an add-on. The ryokan stay itself is also a highlight, with its traditional Japanese architecture, multi-course dinners, and attentive service.

What's included

- 4 nights accommodation at Aura Tachibana ryokan (single, double, triple, or quadruple occupancy) - Daily Japanese-style gourmet breakfasts and dinners - 2 yoga classes daily (vinyasa flow and yin yoga) with guided meditation - Day trip to Kamakura (Buddhist temple, Shinto shrine, Great Buddha) - Boat trip on Lake Ashi and cable car ride to Owakudani with Mount Fuji views - Walking on nature trails in Hakone and Lake Ashi area - Free time to relax in onsens (open-air, indoor, public, and private) - Transportation during the retreat - Luggage storage - WiFi connection - Linens, towels, toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, soap, lotion, hair dryer)

What's not included

- Airport transfers - Flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Additional activities not included in the itinerary - Additional treatments (e.g., massages) - Alcoholic beverages and drinks outside of meals - Personal expenses