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MARCH 20 - 26th, 2026

Stylized text spelling 'SHIZEN' with a modern, artistic font in black and gray tones.

ISHIGAKI ISLAND, 石垣島JAPAN

THE NATURE OF YOGA & RITUAL RETREAT with KIMIKO TAO FUJIMOTO

SHIZEN 自然- the nature of the cosmos that is both wild and spontaneous. Like yoga, shizen illustrates our interconnection with nature. Located in a Blue Zone, Ishigaki is revered for its archipelago wonders and traditional ways of kinship with the natural world, culture, and community. Longevity, health, and happiness are sustained by Kizuna - enduring bonds between people and the elements of the island.

Aerial view of a tropical coastline with clear turquoise water, sandy beaches, green hills, and a partly cloudy sky.

Kimiko has combined yoga, tai chi, ritual, flower essences, and nature into a one-of-a-kind retreat to embody Arinomama ni - becoming your natural self. You’re invited to travel like family and experience intentional living in the ways of Omotenashi - generous hospitality.

A woman sitting in a lotus pose with her eyes closed, practicing meditation or mindfulness against a background of pink and red chrysanthemums and green leaves.

Immerse yourself in crystal clear waters and lush tropical flora, practice yoga with the sun and moon, discover Japanese rituals, rest in simplicity, and craft everlasting memories with new friends in paradise.

7 days & 6 Nights Shared Accommodation 

Daily Brunch & Dinner

Daily Yoga & Rituals 

Cultural & Island Excursions

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A view of the beach seen through a tree with green leaves and twisted branches, overlooking the ocean with a mountain in the distance.
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Traditional Japanese woodblock print of a woman dressed in kimono, holding a mirror, with a small dog at her feet.

Some of the rituals you’ll explore:

  • Chadō/Cha no yu ~ Tea Ceremony 

  • Kadō ~ The Way of Flowers with Flower Essences, Ikebana & Hanami - Flower Viewing 

  • Waka ~ Poetry & The Art of Writing Letters to Friends

  • Geijutsu ~ The artistic beauty of nature and humanity 

  • Shun ~ Savouring the seasons, and eating fresh and local ingredients from the land and sea.

  • Takigyou & Suigyou ~ Purifying oneself under waterfalls or water

  • Shinrin-yoku ~ Forest bathing 

  • Otsukimi ~ The ritual of moon viewing

  • Mottainai ~ The way of zero-waste living, recognizing where resources come from and how to tend to what you have.

A traditional Japanese woodblock print depicting two women, one standing and one kneeling, with ornate clothing and hairstyles, engaged in a scene with a writing pad and scrolls.

Experience the art of Japanese culture through ritual and intentional living.

Together, we’ll craft traditional and sacred rituals with a keen awareness of shizenbi -nature’s spirited beauty and furyu -its fleeting beauty, yūgen- its subtle depth and mystery, and wabi sabi - the beauty of imperfection & impermanence. 

Learn how to flow and be with what’s around you. Travel alongside friends, connect to local customs, and openly exchange with new experiences and different cultures.

A traditional Japanese woodblock print of a woman dressed in elaborate kimono, sitting and holding a musical instrument.

Based on yogic philosophy, storytelling, and ikigai - a strong sense of purpose in life, Kimiko will deepen your practice with Tai Chi techniques and creative sequences blending Hatha, Vinyasa, Kundalini, Restorative, and Yin Yoga.

Aligning with the Japanese concept of Wa - harmony, each class will follow the solar and lunar rhythms of the day and weave together the themes of the island’s beauty and culture.

Experience the healing power of sound in nature with live musical sessions by local artist Manato Resonance

Traditional Japanese-style building with wooden construction, a tiled roof, and a small garden with plants and flowers in the foreground, under a blue sky with a few clouds.

Stay at KÜREN, meaning “the sky” and “the lotus” in Japanese. This traditional 19th-century house with typical Hida architecture from central Japan is the perfect setting to live like a local and immerse yourself in the peace of natural designs and tranquil gardens.

Like the symbol of its namesake, Le Lotus Bleu was designed to encourage you to step away and return to easeful simplicity. Sleep on futons, practice yoga on tatami mats, and be held in the joy of community.

Each day, you’ll experience epic sunrises and starry skies in a small fishing village that is home to the rare Blue Coral reef, where over 70 different kinds of coral live.

Illustration of two butterflies, one larger with beige wings and detailed veins, and a smaller yellow butterfly with similar wing structure.
A spacious room with tatami mats, dark wood beams on the ceiling, a low dining table with chairs and cushions, bright blue curtains by the windows, and a ceiling fan.
Indoor view of a large glass window with a lush tropical garden outside, featuring tall green plants and trees.
Sunset over the ocean with rocks silhouetted in the water and a mostly cloudy sky with orange and yellow hues.
A bowl of Asian noodle soup with pork, green onions, and a white spoon.
A small white boat anchored on a sandy beach with turquoise water and a forested island in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Nourish your body with homestyle island cooking and dine together as a family with freshly prepared meals, locally sourced bento boxes, and seasonally crafted culinary adventures.

Enjoy free time to discover Ishigaki at your leisure.

Plus, travel as friends on group excursions that are curated to highlight the best of the island’s slow living.

Some of the excursions included in the retreat: 

  • Day Trip to Takitoma Island. Catch an early ferry and adventure by bike through traditional villages and pristine beaches. 

  • Sunrise meditations at Shiraho’s beach, minutes from our stay, and known for its rare blue coral.  

  • Hiking through forests to purify yourself at rivers and waterfalls. 

  • Local shopping at farmers’ market and a bus pass to explore the main city and yummy gastronomy.

  • Stargazing, Ishigaki is known as an International Dark Sky Park, plus we’ll be there close to the new moon and Spring Equinox. You’ll be able to view extraordinary constellations like the Southern Cross and the Milky Way. 

  • Earth Stewardship, activities to support the island’s ecology, such as a visit to the Science Gardens to view incredible native Flora, and epic sandy beaches.

Optional activities you can explore (not included) 

  • Local arts, crafts, historical sites, and landmarks

  • Snorkeling the blue coral reefs with local fishermen

  • Kayaking through Mangroves

  • Swimming with Manta Rays 

  • Scuba Diving -voted the number one diving place in the world

  • Remote Beaches and so much …

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A smiling woman with dark wavy hair wearing rings on her fingers, standing in front of a backdrop of illustrated light-colored daisies.

YOUR GUIDE: KIMIKO TAO FUJIMOTO

California-born, Japanese American, 4th generation Yonsei, Kimiko found her French Canadian family roots in Montreal. Shizen is her second retreat in Japan, and she’ll be sharing many treasures from her pilgrimages throughout the islands and studies in Japanese Art, Culture, and Herbalism.

Like the Zen word, Unsui, Kimiko travels like a “cloud and water wanderer.” With her nomadic heart, she traverses many landscapes around the world, crafting flower essences and designing gatherings based on 20 years of extensive study in yoga and ritual arts.

Known as a teacher of teachers, Kimiko is an educator and mentor who loves inviting students to step into their empowerment with intuition, wisdom, and authenticity. A love of nature grounds all her offerings as she guides experiences that bridge the mystical with practical methodology. Her enthusiasm for adventure and soulful rest will offer the group expansive play and sacred introspection for a perfectly balanced retreat.

"There is nothing you can see that is not a flower; there is nothing you can think that is not the moon." Matsuo Basho

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SHIZEN - JAPAN RETREAT (Full Payment)
US$2,200.00
SHIZEN - JAPAN RETREAT DEPOSIT
US$550.00 
Retreat Includes:
  • 7 days & 6 nights (shared room accommodation for doubles and up to 4 people)
  • Daily Yoga & Ritual with Kimiko
  • Group Excursions: Biking through Taketomi Island, Ishigakijima Science Garden, Beaches, Forests & Caves
  • Flower Essences Hand-Crafted from Ishigaki 
  • 2 Meals Daily (Brunch & Dinner or Bento Box) Tea, Coffee, Fruit
NOT included:
  • Transportation (Flights and Airport pick up and drop-off)
  • Travel Insurance
  • Additional Meals or Personal Excursions
Cost: $2200 USD ( Full payment or 4 payments of $550) / 3000$ CAN (Full Payment or 4 payments of $750)
* Full Refund minus a $550 USD non-refundable processing fee if you cancel before December 31, 2025. After 50 % refundable minus $550 USD non-refundable processing fees till February 1, 2026.  Thereafter non-refundable. At any time, fully refundable (minus admin fees incurred) if another participant is found to transfer your place.
Close-up of pink cherry blossoms on a tree branch against a blue sky.

If Japan is on your bucket list this is the perfect retreat for you, plus we’ll be there for cherry blossom season! Although there are no cherry blossoms on the island. I recommend adding a few days before or after to experience the main island cities like Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto before flying south to Ishigaki. When booking the retreat, I’ll provide extra support in planning your travels through Japan.