Koyasan Retreat
November 28-December 2nd
2024年11月28日-12月2日
4-nights, 5-days 4泊5日
maximum 12 participants 12定員
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.
A place to step into the Japanese concept of ‘ma’ 間 the negative space between objects, movements, actions. The space between breaths, between thoughts.
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. We will speak less, and more quietly.
Take time for yourself, but still enjoy the company of people during free time, 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 from the meditation each evening until breakfast the next morning, to process and assimilate each 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.
It could be cool depending on the weather. Bring a jacket and maybe some layers so we can take full advantage of the healing power of the forest, the clean, crisp, fresh air, and the calm of being amongst the trees.
We leaving the forest via 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. Lead by a local monk, take this chance to learn the history and ask some questions.
Focus
Mindful Tracing
In the temple lodgings we will take part in traditional mindful tracing of Buddhist images or the Heart Sutra. 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 or take it home as a protective charm.
Meditate on Sanskrit character ‘A‘
Ajikan Meditation 阿字観
In Shingon Buddhism, Ajikan is the established form of meditation. It is said that in the same way that different buddha take different humanesque or animal forms, some take on the form of written characters. We can meditate upon these forms to gain closeness to the Buddha.
An interesting practice, closer to yoga than other meditation styles (eg zen) undertaken in the main hall of the temple.
Walk a section of the women’s pilgrim route
Nyōnin michi 女人道
Until 1872, women were not allowed onto Koyasan. Until that time women were only allowed to visit the lodges scattered along the trail in the mountains surrounding the village.
We will walk one section of this route. It takes 2 - 2.5 hours. There are some short steep sections but we will take it slowly. We pass by the reminder of one of the lodges and the training temple for many of the monks.
Stay
Temple lodgings 宿坊
Our lodgings are in a 900-year-old temple conveniently located near near major sites. This temple has been in the same family for 49 generations. We will not only stay here, but also participate in the morning service, practice traditional Buddhist mindful practices as well as practice yoga and enjoy sound baths too.
Check in from 3pm on the first day. Leave your bags earlier if you would like to go sightseeing beforehand.
Share a simple Japanese style twin room. Tatami mats provide a blood pressure lowering effect, the calm earthy construction and tones bring calm. This temple has the most comfortable futons I have ever slept on!
Dorm room with 2-3 others available for groups/families traveling together.
The lodging has shared toilet and bathroom facilities, featuring a large communal bath to soak in at the end of each day. Bathing being another mindful practice to incorporate into your stay.
Nourish yourself - breakfast & dinner included
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).
Lunches in different locations provided at local restaurants during free time.
Gluten-free is available if ordered in advance, so please let me know when you reserve your spot.
Gluten-free temple fare
On day 3 or 4, weather dependent, there will be a reduced schedule to allow for sightseeing and rest. On previous retreats we have found that people are getting profound shifts on the mountain so need space and time to process the experience. I will be at the morning service to translate for those who wish to participate, and will run afternoon yoga, but nothing is compulsory.
Please take the time you need to yourself
Sightseeing is also an option that day
Reserve your spot
4 nights & 5 days of peace & calm for ¥198,000 twin share Including:
twin-share traditional Japanese lodging in 900yo working temple
scheduled activities (and transport between)
4 dinners, 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches
interactions with working monks including Q&A time
hotel pick up in Namba on first day (limited locations) or meet at Namba station in the morning to be guided to the lodgings. Or meet us at the lodgings later in the day
All rooms have shared toilet and communal bath facilities, separated for men and women
This is a stay in a working temple. Service is friendly and simple.
Hotel pick up available from limited hotels at Namba station with guide to lodgings.
or meet us at Namba station to be guided up the mountain
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
I love Koyasan so much, and get a sense of ‘home’ whenever I return. I feel so fortunate to be able to share this calm, peaceful, sacred place with you.. Just being able to be there and breathe the fresh air is a privilege.
I love teaching yoga to meet the needs of the individual within the class. I’ll be teaching gentle, strengthening hatha, revitalising, restorative yoga, meditation and sound baths 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 later in the year.
Not Included in price:
transport to/from the retreat & during free time
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, cancellation fees are 0%
Until 21 days beforehand , cancellation fees are 30%
Until 10 days beforehand, cancellation fees are 50%
2-9 days beforehand cancellation fees are 80%
Cancellation the day before or on the day of the retreat, 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.