Our journey begins on Ishigaki Island, part of the remote Yaeyama archipelago in Okinawa Prefecture—Japan’s far south, where coral reefs fringe jungle-covered islands and time moves a little differently. This isn’t the Japan you see in guidebooks. It’s a wilder, more elemental version—salt-washed and sunlit, full of gentle wonder and unexpected depth.
We are based in Shiraho, a small coastal village known for its traditional houses and rare blue coral reef. Our retreat home is a beautifully restored 19th-century merchant house, just a minute’s walk from the beach. Nestled in a traditional fishing and farming village the house blends timeless wooden architecture with peaceful gardens, shaded decks, and simple, comfortable rooms.
Life here is slow and soothing. Start your mornings with a swim at sunrise, then settle into your daily yoga practice with Katarina. This is an immersive retreat led by one of the UK’s most experienced yoga teachers. Morning sessions will energise and prepare you for the day ahead, while evening practices will help you unwind and ease into a restful night’s sleep.
During the day, you’ll snorkel in luminous waters, visit neighbouring Taketomi Island with its preserved Ryukyu heritage, and spend an unforgettable day exploring nearby Iriomote—canoeing through quiet mangrove forests, then hiking through lush jungle to a hidden waterfall where you can cool off with a swim.
Each night, there’s the chance to stargaze beneath the vast subtropical sky. Ishigaki is known for its dark skies and dazzling constellations—so prepare to be amazed as you lie back under a canopy of stars.
For the last two days of our retreat, we travel north to Honshu for a complete shift in landscape and energy. Here, in the sacred shadow of Mount Fuji, we stay at a forested boutique hotel. You’ll soak in traditional onsen baths, enjoy a BBQ dinner under the stars, and hike part of Fuji’s historic pilgrim trail to a mountaintop shrine. This part of the retreat connects you to Japan’s spiritual roots, where mountains are gods and silence is sacred.
Traditional Japanese meals throughout are nourishing and thoughtful—local flavours, seasonal ingredients, and time to truly savour. There’s no rush here, only space to reconnect with yourself and the world around you.
If you’re seeking a retreat where wild nature meets mindful practice—this retreat offers a rare chance to experience Japan in its most awe-inspiring forms.
