Koyasan Retreat
May 10-12th, 2024年5月10-12日
Or, when would you like to go??
Contact Sam here for your tailor-made Koyasan retreat experience.
Relax in the fresh air, forest scents and 1200+ years of history
Yoga, meditation, traditional Buddhist mindful experiences on Koyasan
UNESCO World Heritage monastery village
founded in 816AD by Kukai below the lotus-like 8 peaks of the Ryujin Quasi-national Park
For me, Koyasan is a place to slow down, to breathe the cooler forest air, and to focus on my health for a few days.
While there are tourists, there is a respectful, slower-paced vibe than other major destinations.
There’s a sense of space for introspection and stillness.
Take time for yourself, but still enjoy the company of people over a meal, if you like.
The feel and design of the buildings, including our beautiful lodgings pings all the right things in my brain.
The chance to slow down over meals helps me appreciate the food and ingredients so much more.
Let your creativity flow as you allow your mind the space and time to reset, to reboot
Re-ground each day with mindful activities, free time, nutritious temple fare
Appreciate silence in meditation each evening to process and assimilate your day
Find stillness
in the traditional mindful practices of Kukai’s Buddhism & yoga
and still have time to see the local sights
Practice
Yoga & Meditation
Reset, reboot and reenergise with movement and stillness. Practice outside between temple buildings, and inside traditional spaces. Wherever we practice you will feel the calm and space of this ‘Power Spot’ as Koyasan in called by the locals.
Both yoga and meditation are suitable for beginners, with options provided for more experienced practitioners.
Shinrinyoku 森林浴
Sacred trees, natural space
We’ll take the opportunity to forest bathe in a quiet section of the mountain. Away from the roads and the developed parts of the mountain. Bird sounds, the breeze through the trees, fresh air, a babbling brook. Reconnect with nature, revitalise the body and mind with the fresh air and the profound quiet of this sacred space.
Afterwards we will walk to the Oku-no-in Temple complex, home to Japan’s largest cemetery with both historical and modern grave stones. You then have free time to sightsee and relax as you like until afternoon yoga.
Experience
Koyasan by night
The history, atmosphere and architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage village provided in English and Japanese on this quiet, atmospheric tour of sites near the temple lodgings
Focus
Mindful Tracing
In the temple lodgings we will take part in traditional mindful tracing of Buddhist images. Allowing the flow of the calligraphy pen to be our meditation.
Choose the Heart Sutra, Buddha, Kannon or other deity image you would like to trace. Concentrate enough to leave aside your other worries, relax into the movement of the pen tip, then offer the resulting image for the altar at the service the following morning.
Cleanse your mind, body & soul
Water meditation
At the heart of Kukai’s Koyasan, Oku-no-in, take part in this mindful practice, under the falling water of the stream flowing through the temple complex.
Allow the cool water to take your mind from the everyday, helping with focus and breath control as you chant with the water flowing over your head and shoulders.
Nourish yourself
Shōjin ryōri 精進料理
Delicious traditional vegan dishes made in the temple kitchen. Enjoy season vegetables, tofu, fu (gluten), and Koyasan’s local specialties: sesame tofu (gomadofu), and freeze-dried tofu (Koyadofu).
Gluten-free is available if ordered in advance, so please let me know when you reserve your spot.
Gluten-free temple fare
Stay
Temple lodgings 宿坊
Stay in lodgings at a 900-year-old temple conveniently located near near major sites. We will not only stay here, but also participate in the morning service, practice yoga and tracing of traditional images.
Check in from 1pm Friday. Leave your bags earlier if you would like to go sightseeing beforehand. Share a dorm room with 2-3 others to make new friends, or book early for a single room (limited number).
Reserve your spot
2 nights & 3 days of you time from ¥50,000 total
Single stay attracts additional ¥4000 tariff to retreat component (¥32,000 pp).
Twin stay attracts additional ¥2000 tariff to retreat component (¥30,000 pp).
You can reserve a 3- to 4-person Japanese dorm-style room (futons on tatami mats) and make new friends if travelling alone.
Secure your spot by paying the retreat component
Accommodation fees are paid upon arrival at the Temple Lodging
Testimonials
“Koya-san is such a special place and it is a real treat to be able to experience a yoga retreat in this magical location. It feels like stepping into a different world.
Sam clearly put a lot of thought into the choice of accommodation and activities. The temple we stayed at had the most comfortable futons I have ever slept in and the morning service was lead by kind and approachable monks. The food was particularly delicious and healthy.
We had the privilege of doing morning yoga outside surrounded by the temples amidst the serenity of birdsong and chanting in the distance.
I was nervous about the water meditation, but it ended up being the absolute highlight of the trip for me. It was exhilarating and calming all at the same time.
All of this is with Sam’s attentiveness and personal touch. She meets you exactly where you are and truly just wants you to be enjoying the experience.
Cannot recommend highly enough. Would definitely be interested in joining future retreats.”
“Early morning yoga at Koyasan Danjo Garan was truly a wonderful experience. The sound of woodpeckers pecking at the trees, the chirping of the Japanese bush warbler, and the voices of the monks’ morning prayers that seemed to well up from the depths of the forest to the heavens, all surrounded by the pure and solemn air of nature and faith, allowed me to regulate my body and mind with a relaxing yoga practice. Yoga in the historic Japanese-style room of the lodge was also very relaxing.
While doing the morning service, I felt the importance of putting myself in a space of pure prayer, away from daily life. I encountered rare lovely plants on Nyonin-michi walk, and on the Night Tour, was impressed by the beauty of the architecture reflected in the shadows. It was also a good opportunity to learn about Japanese Buddhism and Kukai once again.
I felt healed, restored, and energized in body and mind in a way I had never felt before. Koyasan Yoga retreat has universal healing benefits regardless of religion or race.
Thank you, Sami, for this wonderful event!”
Yoga instructor & retreat facilitator
Sam Seghers
Koyasan is such a special place to take this time for yourself. To slow down, be a little more mindful about how we move through each day, as well as our own hearts and thoughts.
I love teaching yoga to meet the needs of the individual within the class. I’ll be teaching gentle, strengthening hatha, revitalising, restorative yoga, and meditation so you can get the most out of your time on Koyasan. All classes are suitable for beginners with variations offered for more experienced practitioners.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me. I’d love to hear from you, and see you in September.
Early bird until Feb 29th 2024 ・早期割引2024年2月29日まで・
Early bird until Feb 29th 2024 ・早期割引2024年2月29日まで・
Reserve your place now
From ¥50,000 total per person・Includes:
2 nights/3 days temple lodging in Koyasan, including dinners and breakfasts
Yoga & meditation
Buddhist sutra, or art, tracing
Buddhist morning service in temple main hall
Night walking tour
Water meditation
Shinrinyoku
Reserve your spot by
paying the deposit through the links belowremainder paid upon arrival at Temple Lodging
Not Included in price:
transport to/from the retreat
lunches
entrance fees during free time
personal purchases such as souvenirs, snacks, etc
travel insurance
Cancellation Terms and Conditions
In the case of refunds being provided, any fees involved in payments and refunding payments will be paid by the client.
From Payment until 30days before the retreat (April 10, 2024), cancellation fees are 0%
Until 21 days beforehand (April 11 - 17th, 2024), cancellation fees are 30%
Until 10 days beforehand (April 18th - 30th, 2024), cancellation fees are 50%
May 1st - 9th, 2024, cancellation fees are 80%
Cancellation on the day of the retreat (May 10th, 2024), during the retreat, or no shows will incur a 100% cancellation charge
In the case of typhoon, or other natural disaster, that leads to a national or local area stay at home order and therefore cancellation of the retreat, all funds will be returned minus any fees incurred in the payment of, or required to return those funds.