LIVING YOGA: JAPAN SPRING RETREAT
Sun 29 March to Fri 3 April 2026
Join us as Living Yoga Retreats return to Japan for the third year, this time to the laidback coastal town of Kamakura (very chill, Hawaii vibes) and then to a quiet lakeside retreat overlooking Mount Fuji, just in time for cherry blossom season (fingers crossed!). This very special springtime retreat is co-hosted by Leigh and her Japanese friend Yukari, who will be our guide and caretaker throughout our time together.
About Kamakura
Kamakura is seen as the birthplace of samurai culture that significantly influenced subsequent Japanese culture, including the rise of Zen Buddhism, tea ceremonies and martial arts. Its historical significance lies in its role as the site of Japan's first military government, the Kamakura Shogunate, which was established in the late 12th century. This marked a major political shift from aristocratic rule in Kyoto to a warrior-led government, ushering in in centuries of samurai rule. The city's strategic, defensible location and its long history have also left a legacy of numerous temples and shrines, including the iconic Great Buddha at Kotoku-in Temple and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.
About Lake Shojiko
Dubbed the "Switzerland of East Asia" by English travellers who visited during the Meiji era, Lake Shojiko is formed by lava flows, and is the smallest of the five lakes (Fujigoko) at the northern base of Mount Fuji. The area is largely undeveloped in comparison to the other lakes in terms of tourism infracstructure, which means it will be fairly tranquil even during peak cherry blossom season. It borders the picturesque Aokigahara Forest, which we will visit during our stay. Interesting fact: Lake Shojiko offers visitors a rather unusual view of Mount Fuji, where the iconic mountain appears to be looming over a smaller mountain in front of its northwestern foot. The smaller peak is Mount Omuro, one of the many extinct volcanoes of Mount Fuji.
Note
As it is peak tourist season during this period, we highly suggest that you confirm your spot and then book your flight tickets as soon as possible. This will greatly help us with our logistics, for example, deciding what type of transport to book based on the group size. We have scheduled this retreat based on forecasted cherry blossoms blooming dates, but we cannot guarantee that we will catch them in full bloom ,as these flowers are notoriously temperamental. Regardless of that, we will still have a wonderful time immersing ourselves in beautiful Japanese culture and nature! Thank you!
Itinerary
Our journey begins on Sunday 29 March in Kamakura (easily accessible by train from both Tokyo's Haneda and Narita airports), a coastal town south of Tokyo. Kamakura is one of my favourite places in Japan, mostly because its laidback, surfer vibes remind me so much of Hawaii.
Our days in this seaside town will be bookmarked by morning Yoga practice and chill-out evening sessions. In the in-between hours, we will visit Kamakura's beautiful temples and shrines; partake in a tea ceremony (sad0); learn Zazen meditation (a practice central to Zen Buddhism); and enjoy free time to stroll the shops and cafes, and soak up what Kamakura has to offer.
We will then move on to Lake Shojiko, a serene area that is less developed than touristy Lake Kawaguchiko, and perfect for slowing down and drinking in the views of Mount Fuji. We have done our best to time our trip with the prefecture's projected cherry blossom season – so fingers crossed! We will take walks around the lake, picnic (hopefully) under the cherry blossom trees, and immerse ourselves in the area's abundant nature.
Our time together ends after lunch in Lake Shojiko on Friday 3 April. You can easily take a bus back to Tokyo to catch your flight, or to continue your travels in Japan.
A note on the Yoga practices
You do not need to be a seasoned practitioner in order to join this retreat. Our holistic Yoga practices are designed to be inclusive for all levels of asana experience, and will also incorporate elements like pranayama, meditation and mantra.
Early bird fee (valid until 31 December or booked out)
S$2,900 for twin occupancy
Single occupancy top-up: S$800
+S$500 from 1 Jan 2026
Participants from our 2024 and 2025 Japan retreats enjoy S$200 off!
All rooms are outfitted with twin beds, and Western-style toilets and baths.
Inclusions
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Three meals daily. Meals are mostly vegetarian, but may sometimes include a small portion of fish.
(We can accommodate simple dietary requests — please let us know when you register for the retreat.) -
Daily Yoga practice and/or evening satsang to reflect on and digest what we have experienced in the day
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All activities and ticket fees to the sites we visit together as a group
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Transportation between accommodations
Exclusions
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Air tickets
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Airport transfers
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Compulsory travel insurance
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Expenses incurred should you fall ill in Japan. Please make sure your travel insurance adequately covers this.
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Any necessary Covid tests, if regulations require them then
- All other personal expenses eg. snacks, shopping, laundry
Travelling in Japan
We recommend that you book a return flight to Tokyo — both Haneda and Narita offer very accessible train connections to Kamakura. It will be about an hour's journey from Haneda, and a two-hour journey from Narita. Our accommodation is a leisure 15-minute walk from Kamakura train station.
Please plan your travel so you arrive in Kamakura by no later than 3pm on Sunday 29 March, for check-in. Our schedule begins at 4:30pm with opening circle and practice, followed by a welcome dinner. Our time together ends after lunch (around 2pm) in Lake Shojiko on Friday 3 April, giving you ample time to travel back to Tokyo if you are taking a flight home the same day, or to continue your travels in Japan.
About Leigh and Yukari
Leigh and Yukari first met while studying with their teacher Emily Kuser in Bali, and they reconnected some years later when they took neighbouring mats in Emily's class. That same week, they had dinner and planned their first Yoga retreat together – a summer programme in Japan in 2024! And the rest is history. ◡̈
For Leigh, what began nearly 20 years ago as an exploration of body and movement evolved into a profound inward journey that revealed the vast potential of the mind. The formative years of her Yoga education in Bali shaped her poetic, inclusive approach to teaching, while her time in India deepened her connection to the classical Yoga tradition of Sri Krishnamacharya as well as the study of Vedanta. A journalist by training, she has been teaching full-time for 12 years, clearly and eloquently translating ancient philosophy into meaningful insights for modern life.
A former high school teacher for 11 years, Yukari is the founder of nida in Ometesando, Tokyo. She has been teaching Hatha Yoga, Yoga philosophy and meditation for more than 10 years, and is both a Anusara Inspired™️ and I AM Yoga Nidra™️ certified teacher. She has always focused on sharing Yoga as a way of living and being, and spends 4-6 months overseas every year to attend trainings and assist her teachers, as well as to lead her own retreats. She also organises and translates for Japan-based workshops for foreign teachers including Emily Kuser, Andrea Boni and Daphne Tse. Yukari got certified as a hiking guide in 2023, and now holds monthly hiking tours as a part of Yoga and meditation practice.
Booking and cancellation policy
The retreat will go on so long as international travel regulations allow quarantine-free travel between Japan and Singapore. Please stay updated with the latest information on the ICA website here.
Please email Leigh to register. A non-refundable S$500 deposit will be required to secure your spot. Your space is not confirmed until I confirm that I have received your deposit. The remaining fee is to be paid in full by Friday 30 January 2026.
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Cancellations communicated in writing by Sat 28 February will receive a 30% refund (after deducting S$500 deposit).
No refunds will be made after that. -
To avoid paying the cancellation surcharge, you can get someone else to take your place on the retreat.
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The policy above will remain in place regardless of your reason for cancellation, including spikes in Covid cases and acts beyond our control. This is a risk you assume upon registration. Please purchase adequate travel insurance upon confirmation of your spot on the retreat.