Meditation Retreats

Cultivate Your Heart in Beautiful and Sacred Areas of Japan

In Buddhism, one of the words for “meditation” is “bhavana,” literally meaning exercise or cultivation of the heart. We gather together at temples, on old sacred islands, around the mountains, and other sites around Japan to deepen our practice. All retreats are led by highly experienced teachers who will help you develop your meditation practice, whether you are a beginner or very experienced practitioner. Besides sitting meditation, retreats may include contemplative walks around the sacred lands, yoga and tai chi or other forms of moving meditation, and reflective exercises.

Locations and Themes

Retreats may be run near Kyoto, or other locations around Japan, such as Koyasan, Tomogashima, and Yakushima. Some of these are old sacred sites of such outstanding natural beauty, they became inspirations not only for monks and ascetics in history, but also animators for Ghibli films. We hope the beauty and energy of these settings enhance your experience. Most of the multi-day retreats are held in summer and winter, but we hope to expand offerings in the future.

Please see the events page for specific details or contact us for private guided mountain treks. For 1-day retreat experiences, see the “Contemplative Tours” or “Mountain Hiking and Healing” trips.