As the expansion and heat of summer begin to wane, the days become darker and softer, the veils thin, we meet here. We meet on the low balcony over looking the garden. We meet around the table, resting on tatami, drinking hojicha tea. We meet in circle, in ceremony and in poetry as we honour and celebrate the equinox portal, a soft turning of the year. We meet sharing home cooked food made before us in a traditional kitchen. We meet beside seasonal flowers and candlelit nights, spent quietly together.
A short distance from the bustling and historic seaside town Kamakura, you will find Hayama Village. A quiet pocket by the ocean where an eighty year old home sits with a garden. Walking through the doors is like stepping back in time: this is the space we will make our shared home for three nights. A fifteen minute walk from the beach and a seaside shrine. A place to soften, to share and to immerse in the art of a rich culture, celebrating the seasons with reverence and beauty, centuries deep.
In the mornings we will rise for a gentle morning movement and meditation practice, followed by journalling and Japanese tea. We will feast together on homestyle, seasonal Japanese meals made by a local, natural foods chef and take a short break in the garden before starting the days workshop.
Afternoons are spent however you like: working on your creative practice, exploring the local area, visiting a local shrine, taking a nap or bathing in the communal bathtub. After the evening meal, sip herbal tea, unwind & integrate with ritual yin, or stargazing from the balcony.
This is an very intimate, special experience with only a handful of spaces available. What we have curated is possible only through the collaboration of women creatives, chefs, florists and ceremonialists who live in the local area. Together, we create a circle of sisterhood, living as if we have travelled back in time to a Japan of times past, remembering the quiet, imperfect and ephemeral, outside of the waves of over-tourism, bright lights and crowds.
Pricing and Reservation
Early bird Price (until May 1st) $1980 AUD (or equivalent in JPY)
$630 AUD non-refundable deposit is required to secure your spot. Final amount must be paid 2 months before the start date.
Inclusions:
꩜ Three nights in shared accomodation, sleeping in a traditional fashion, on futon in tatami rooms
꩜ Daily morning meditation and journalling practice
꩜ Evening yin practice & rituals
꩜ The Art of Attention: Poetry workshop with Emmie
꩜ Earth based Menstrual Stories Workshop with Keito
꩜ Matcha Tea Ceremony with Shion
꩜ Seasonal flower arranging practices with Dappy
꩜ Equinox Ceremony with Emmie & Keito
꩜ Seasonal Japanese homestyle cooking workshop with Haruka from Meals Natural Foods
꩜ Two freshly cooked, Japanese meals per day
꩜ A pre-retreat workshop to answer all your Japan travel questions
꩜ Special surprises, treats, time spent with incredible women and life long memories made.
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Emmie
YOUR HOST
Found of The Daily Rest Tokyo and The Daily Rest online membership, Emmie is a writer, poet and teacher based in Tokyo.
Her work is a celebration of the seasons, the spaces in between and the beauty of life, even in our darkest moments.
Much of Emmie’s work is inspired by her time and deep connection with Japan and it is an honor and a pleasure to share these practices in a land and culture that has been so deeply healing for her over the years.
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Keito
YOUR HOST
A menstrual educator/storyteller and translator based in Kamakura who advocates a lifestyle in harmony with the menstrual cycle.
In her teens, she studied hula, reiki, hypnotherapy, feng shui and aura-soma, and was guided to study abroad at a university on the island of Hawaii, where she was exposed to the essential values passed down locally.
Keito’s workshops cover not only physiology, but also the relationship between menstruation and women's mental health, as well as the history, traditions and myths surrounding menstruation around the world.
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Haruka
NATURAL FOODS CHEF
Inspired by the rich flavors and vibrant diversity of Asian cuisine, she creates plant-based dishes with a touch of ethnic flair.
Based in Hayama, her work spans catering for bento boxes and party food, crafting homemade condiments, and offering cooking classes.
Her focus is always on bringing out the natural goodness of fresh, seasonal, locally grown vegetables.
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Shion
MATCHA CEREMONIALIST
While studying sado (Japanese tea ceremony) in the Urasenke tradition, I host tea gatherings and workshops to help people experience and connect with this traditional culture.
Using tea utensils and values passed down from my ancestors, I create a space where the old and the new blend naturally. Through each tea ceremony, both myself and the participants deepen our focus, engage all five senses, and become fully immersed in the moment.
With a spirit of omotenashi, I aim to offer a peaceful and meaningful experience.
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Sayuri
NATURAL FLORIST
Founder of the traveling botanical studio Sakurayama Botanical Garden, Sayuri brings nature into everyday spaces through floral installations, pop-ups, workshops, weddings, and collaborative exhibitions with artists from Japan and abroad.
She creates seasonal bouquets infused with the spirit of the land, using local flowers harvested from the communities of Zushi, Hayama, and Yokosuka, and delivers them regularly to homes and shops.
In 2021, she launched Farm Garden—an open, participatory flower-growing project that explores sustainable cultivation and regenerative community practices through the act of growing flowers together.
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Sonoko
SLOW FOOD CHEF
Sonoko believes that by cherishing small, everyday joys, we can brighten both our homes and society. Through this philosophy, she engages in various food-related projects—ranging from event planning and catering to artisanal food production.
At her seaside workshop, Zushi Hayama Preserved Foods Laboratory, located near Zushi Beach, Sonoko handcrafts jarred preserves using surplus local vegetables. The space also includes a small onigiri (rice ball) shop. Through the simple yet profound tradition of Japanese home-cooked onigiri, she promotes the Slow Food movement both in Japan and around the world.
Kokoro
Our retreat takes place on the Autumn Equinox or 秋分 Shūbun.
According to the traditional Japanese Lunar Calendar (a collection of 72 micro-seasons) this is the time of the turning point from the season of 玄鳥去 Tsubame saru (swallows leave) to 雷乃収声 Kaminari sunawachi koe o osamu (thunder ceases).
One of the four sacred balance points of the year, this is a potent time for reflection, introspection and cleansing, while enjoying seasonal, traditional foods.
Please note: This retreat takes place in an 80 year old house, not a luxury retreat centre. We will lodge in the traditional way, in a shared room, with tatami flooring and futon beds, and bathe with an old style bath or ofuro お風呂 (with flowers and herbs added on some nights).
In preparation for our time together, you may wish to immerse yourself in a few of my favourite books that have inspired this retreat:
Kokoro by Natsume Soseki
The Makioka Sisters by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki
Every Day A Good Day by Noriko Morishita
Poems by Baisao by Nahoko Press
The Izu Dancer by Yasunari Kawabata
FAQs
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Our retreat house can be easily reached from Kamakura (about 1.5 hrs from central Tokyo). We will be in touch with exact access instructions prior to the retreat!
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All deposits are non-refundable.
In the case you are unable to join the retreat, please do let us know with as much notice as possible.
If you payment is not made by the due date, we will be unable to confirm your participation in the retreat.
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Interestingly, dietary restrictions are still somewhat uncommon in Japan. If you have any dietary restrictions, please do reach out via the contact form before making your deposit, so we can be sure it’s possible to accomodate your needs.
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While it’s important to take care travelling wherever you are in the world, Japan is very safe for solo female travellers, and is well equipped for solo travel in general. We highly encourage to join this retreat solo! Most participants to our retreats do.
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We will start around 2pm on the 20th and depart at 11am on the 23rd.
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There is nothing special you need to bring! We will provide all yoga equipment. During our pre-retreat workshop we will discuss what you might like to bring with you on your trip to Japan.
長月の空色袷きたりけり
Late September is
wearing a sky-coloured
lined kimono
Kobayashi Issa
Translation by Zoria P.K.
All site images by Clara Grace May