Nature, Zen and Yoga Retreat in Japan October 2023  

Nature, Zen and Yoga Retreat in Japan October 2023

FRI,13OCT2023 - WED,18OCT2023

An amazing opportunity to pause from your daily life, be surrounded in nature and calm, to reset, nurture and remind ourselves of the simple joys and curiosity of life.

In this retreat, we will meet in the ancient capital of Japan, Asuka, where we explore the wonders of original Japan - first temples, shrines, tombs, and stone momuments of Japan. With the backdrop of rice fields and mountains, we will slowly dissolve the rush of all the travels from the blessings of nature and settle into our temporary home for 2 nights where we enjoy locally produced foods, cooked with care, and warm wooden artefacts throughout the facility representing a way to co-existence with nature and farming.

We then travel to Mount Koya, a world heritage listed temple village known as one of the most sacred places in the country. We will spend a quiet and peaceful time surrounded by magnificent old temples and serene energy for the last 3 nights. A slow journey to come back to our heart as we immerse ourselves in zen tradition and eternal nature.

During these special experiences grounded in kindness, you will also have your yoga practices daily except arrival day throughout your stay.

Your yoga practices will include both the yin and yang side of yoga physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

You will have plenty of free time daily to reflect as well as adventure out to be lost in the culture, food, nature and the present moment.

My intentions for you are;

• Create a relaxing and safe environment to be your natural self
• Empty out the mind from day to day “doing” and just “be”
• Reconnect to nature
• Bring the joy of movement
• Learn and experience Yoga 
• Share the wonderful culture of Japan 
• Have fun and play 
• Hold a loving and peaceful space

What’s included;

• 5nights 6days accommodation in 2 locations. Daily yoga practice with Eriko (Except D1 arrival)
• All breakfast and dinner
• Rental cycle in Asuka Day 2
• Luggage transfer on Day 3 when we move accommodation
• Local transportation fees when in groups (you will receive more details before departure)
• Bonus class by Kaori, a founder of Ugoki fitness
• Extra support by Kaori
• Zen meditation and morning prayers
• Free time to explore the areas
• Noble silence each mornings
• Love

What’s not include;

• Flights to Japan
• Individual’s transportation
• Yoga mats & props
• Lunches
• Attraction entrance fees

About the programme*;

FRI 13 Oct 23

Meet Eriko at Sakurai station, 2 hours away from Osaka Airport. Don't worry, we will tell you how to get there!

Arrive to accommodation in group taxis (inclusive) where we wind down and have a relaxing welcome dinner.

SAT 14th Oct 23

Give yourself permission to have a restful morning. Morning Yoga is on offer to unravel from a possible jet lag, weather permitted. Enjoy the local produce breakfast and we head to Asuka village for sightseeing. Free time in Asuka with your bicycles (inclusive) to explore the temples, historic tombstones, walk through a street from the Edo period, and enjoy the nature that surrounds. Head back to accommodation to take a rest and wind down the day with a Yoga practice. Dinner included at the accommodation.

SUN 15th Oct 23

Start your morning with a reflective yoga practice, weather permitted. After breakfast, we will journey out to Mt Koya! You will have the convenience of leaving the luggage to professionals to be reunited at Mt Koya for a couple of hours light travel in local transportation.  Enjoy the scenery of Mount Koya on arrival before we head to the accommodation. You will reset yourself with afternoon Yoga before dinner is served at the accommodation.

MON 16th Oct 23

Start our day in connection to sacredness with early rise yoga practice, followed by a morning prayer with the local monks. Enjoy a plant based breakfast to start the day fresh. Reflective time for yourselves and plenty of time to discover more about Mount Koya in your time until we meet in the afternoon for a yoga practice. Enjoy dinner at the accommodation.

TUE 17th Oct 23

Day 3 in Mount Koya, we find our routine in the morning yoga & prayer with the monks. Followed by breakfast, and free time. Meet back at accommodation for an afternoon yoga with Eriko and zen meditation with the monks. Dinner included at the accommodation.

WED 18th Oct 23

Final day at the retreat. We finish off with a morning yoga practice and a breakfast. We will check out and unleash our curiosity in the land of the rising sun, as you continue with your journey ahead.

*Timings are approximate and could alter without notice. 

About the accommodations;

Asuka -

A relaxing space with local ingredients and wood , where you can feel the blessings of nature. You will experience the "food" and "agriculture" rooted in the region of Nara as we make this a home for 2 nights.

Amidst the lush green woodland scenery, this accommodation offers a relaxing space with flavourful seasonal Yamato vegetables, regional brand ingredients, and furniture made from carefully selected local wood. 

Mount Koya -

Shuku-bo. The Japanese word shukubo literally means “accommodatoin of the monks.” Shukubo is an accommodation experience in which the traveler lodges within a Buddhist temple. A casual style of temple stay that you can experience in historic temples in Japan. You will experience dishes called shojin-ryori, which exclusively contain plant-based ingredients instead of using animal products. You can experience zazen, a traditional Buddhist form of meditation which is known as zen meditation in western countries, and participate in a sacred ceremony at a silent temple in the early mornings.

As is common with Japanese traditional accommodations, baths and toilets are shared. Yukata, face towels, bath towels and toothbrush sets are provided in your room.

PRICE (per person); 

Shared room (2 people) AUD 2790 pp

Single supplement AUD 500 pp (Add this on top of Half twin price to have your own room.)

EARLY BIRD PRICE (per person);

Shared room (2 people) AUD 2570 pp

Single supplement AUD 420 pp (Add this on top of Half twin price to have your own room.)

EARLY BIRD PRICE finishes on Thursday, 27 April 2023 5 pm AEST 

Booking procedure;

Please send an email (eriko.yoga.booking@gmail.com) or click on the "registration" to kick start the booking process. Please specify the choice between a shared room or single use room.  If you are sharing a room with someone, please advise the name of the person. You will then receive an email reply with payment details. Please pay a $600 non refundable deposit to the nominated bank account. Once payment recieved, you are in the retreat programme. 

You will be reminded to pay the rest of the fees 90 days prior to the start of the retreat.

Cancellation policy;

• If you cancel before 90 days of the start of retreat, you will be refunded fully except the deposit. If you have a replacement attendee(s), then the deposit will be fully refunded.
• If you cancel 60-89 days before the retreat start date, you will receive a 40% refund of the whole retreat fees. If you have a replacement attendee(s), then you will be fully refunded.
• If you cancel within 59 days of the retreat start date, you will forfeit the entire payment.
• In case of government imposed covid lockdown, your deposit will be fully refunded.

Hosts;

Eriko

A relatable, life loving yogi, a student of  yoga for the last 15 years, made a move 6 years ago to be a full time yoga teacher from the corporate world. She enjoys sharing the wisdom of yoga through dynamic flow, precise alignments, individualised practice, philosophy, slow yin, and understanding of oriental medicine.

Kaori

A friendly smile and caring nature, you will feel at ease with Kaori the moment you meet her. Kaori is an ex-dancer, with fitness coach background. Currently she focuses on sharing moving from core and the importance of training your pelvic floor. She lives in Kyoto with her two children and her husband.