Travellers to Japan
Welcome to Kyoto, and the rest of Kansai!
As you enjoy the sights and the amazing food, be sure to take some down time for yourself so you can be fully present to see everything this amazing city has to offer.
I love sharing Japan with people who want to know more. I love sharing the food and the out-of-the-way places that are just as interesting and way less crowded than the ‘must sees’.
Come along to yoga or meditation to help reset yourself to take in the finer details of your stay
Yoga
Regular schedule:
Come to a regularly scheduled class in the studio, or Kyomachiya on Wednesday 6pm (traditional kyoto townhouse)
Casual class: ¥3500
Travel Pass: ¥8500 - come to any, or all, regularly scheduled classes for a week
Email me here, or message through Instagram to book your spot.
For morning classes please try to book in the night before to secure a spot.
Special classes:
Keep an eye out on Instagram and on the classes page to see if there are any upcoming special classes. Eg singing bowl meditation, Yoga with Rescue Cats etc.
Prices listed on individual event pages
Private classes:
Classes for you and your group.
In your hotel
in the studio (4 people maximum)
in one of the Machiya (Kyoto-style townhouse) locations I have access to in Kyoto
with rescue cats in a traditional machiya (4 people max) only available in the afternoon
in a temple
in Arashiyama area - Kyoto city (4 people max) or
in Eastern area - Kyoto city (10 people max)
In Osaka, 13th floor with city views (Shinsaibashi area) up to 8 people
Prices depending on location rental/entrance fees and distance/transport fee from the studio.
Basic private class fee is ¥10,000 plus ¥2500 per extra person.
Retreats
Regularly scheduled:
Come to a regularly scheduled retreat on Koyasan, or in Kyoto Kanzaki on the beach. Maximum 12 people. There are also semi-private retreats available at premium rate.
2-night, 3-day retreats start from ¥98,000 in a 2-person shared room with shared facilities. Dinner and breakfast, all activities included.
1/2-day and full-day retreats also listed on the retreats tab
See retreats tab for all current retreats
Bespoke retreats:
Depending on availability and notice, bespoke retreats will be available on Koyasan and in Kyoto. Both locations are temple stays with shared facilities.
Within each retreat we will experience traditional Japanese mindful activities - some buddhist, some secular. Eat delicious traditional temple fare and local produce prepared in the local way.
These are private retreats just for you and your group. I cannot find other travellers to join you. However , if you are looking for people to do this retreat with, please put a call out on Japan Travel facebook pages and gather your own group if you like :)
Mindful tours
Half day:
The nine-headed dragon - a unique way of praying
The shrine is named after the 9-headed dragon that is worshipped here. The Shine is in the foothills of the north of Kyoto, out of the crush of the city.
We will write on our votive candles, place them, do nine laps of the shrine as proscribed, as a walking meditation. We will then take the o-mamori and burn the outer wrapper in the provided spot to complete the ritual.
Following our mindful observances at the shrine, the tour can be extended to include the nearby ‘cat temple’ which is actually an art gallery filled with amazing art, much of it done while the artist was in their teens. The same artist created the painting of the dragon at the nine-headed dragon shrine. If we’re lucky, the ‘head monk’, also a cat, will be there!
Tour includes votive candle and edible o-mamori (amulet/good luck charm)
Dragon tour - 2-2.5 hours ¥24,0000 up to 6 people
Dragon & Cat tour - 3.5 hours - ¥35,000 up to 6 people
Full day:
7-hour day - depending on walking pace
Visit 1200-year-old temple, a hidden shrine, stunning riverside hike. Packed lunch included.
We’ll take the bus to the trailhead in the mountains north west of Kyoto, and visit a temple with a unique way of driving off evil - we throw clay tiles into the gorge to drive all the evil away.
From there we will walk down the gorge along the beautiful river scenery over 4 hours, via a small but spectacular waterfall shrine (time permitting), to the station and take the train back to Arashiyama.
There will be time for a quick swim at lunchtime at the swimming pools for those who are keen in summer.
Drive off the evil tour:
¥38,000: up 1-2 people. Includes packed lunch, 1x temple & shrine entry, 3 evil-expelling tiles per person.
¥3000 extra per person up to 6 people total.