Japan·23 - 31 May 2027
Dive deep in Tokyo and then get off-the-beaten path in the Tohoku region of Japan with hot spring hotels and incredible meals.
Eager to finally venture to Japan but don't know where to start planning or how to avoid the tourist crowds? Join us on this once-in-a-lifetime retreat and experience the incredible hospitality and tranquil lifestyle of northern Japan. We'll start off with 2 nights in Tokyo - diving into food tours and unique restaurant and cultural experiences. Then we'll hop aboard the famous bullet train and head north. Enjoy a week to relax and unwind in stunning "ryokans" - a.k.a. spa hotels with on-site "onsens" (hot springs) and enjoy multiple meals done "kaiseki" style (traditional Japanese multi-course haute cuisine). We'll also have several full days of truly unique excursions - think hiking to hidden mountain temples, a mediation led by a Buddhist monk, a traditional tea ceremony, visiting a stunning crater lake, a sake tasting and more. We'll explore from the mountains to the sea, and all you have to do is show up! Learn about Japanese culture, language and food all with plenty of downtime to soak up the best zen + wellness opportunities this region has to offer. *Please note: we require that you review all the "Trip Tips" below before booking.* - Group Size: 12-14 guests - Luxury Score: 3.5/4 (out of 5) - Comfortable + Refined - Adventure Score: 3/3.5 (out of 5) - Cultural Differences + Unique Cuisine - Activity Score: 3/3.5 (out of 5) - Daily Tours, Walking - Cuisine: Omnivore (Meat, Tofu, Lots of Fish + Veggies) - Pricing: Est. $8,000-$10,000 pp
From the moment you step into our Tokyo hotel to the final day - this 9 day retreat is nearly all-inclusive. Your daily tours, transportation, guides' fees, all breakfasts, more than half of the lunches and all of your dinners are included in this experience. No gratuity is expected or allowed.
We'll enjoy comfortable and upscale accommodations - averaging 4 stars - that straddle the amenities of western hotels with Japanese culture. Both of our northern Japan properties are "ryokans" or traditionally influenced quiet inns with on-site "onsens" or hot springs that you'll have unlimited access to.
From food tours in Tokyo to wandering a traditional Japanese garden... having English-speaking local guides at all our major excursions will deeply enhance your connection and understanding of Japan's culture. You'll learn everything from how to properly slurp soba noodles to when you should bow when greeting a local.
Some of the highlights will be our three "kaiseki" meals. These are 8 to 10 course meals. With traditional service and a chef's choice of cuisine - you'll enjoy bites like artfully presented sashimi and local delicacies. You'll also savor Japanese cuisine throughout the week like soba, tempura, ramen and wagyu beef.
We will tour multiple temples and shrines throughout Tokyo (Senso-ji Temple) and northern Japan (such as Zuiganji Temple and Jigenji Temple). With our English-speaking guide, you'll learn about their history (some are 1100 - 1300 years old) and their religious traditions.
For 6 nights of the retreat, we'll be staying at ryokans. These traditional hotels are built around natural hot springs. You'll have unlimited access to these indoor and outdoor onsens. The ritual involved to bathe is an authentically Japanese experience and the hot, mineral-rich waters are believed to have therapeutic, healing properties. See "Trip Tips" for more information.
On our cultural journey through Japan, we’ll immerse ourselves in timeless traditions and unforgettable experiences. We’ll take part in a serene tea ceremony, learning the art of hospitality. engage in guided meditation with a Buddhist monk for a moment of mindfulness. We'll also dive deep on several historical sites of cultural importance.
Far away from the city lights we'll find quiet on guided tours of several awe-inspiring natural wonders. We'll walk along rocky gorges, search out small waterfalls and go on a short hike around a stunning at high elevation crate lake. You'll also have a day along the coast at Matsushima Bay - one of the "top 3 most scenic views in Japan."
Each Above Yoga retreat has an experience leader and a certified yoga teacher on-site who will lead classes and support students in their practice. Leaders or teachers are subject to change without notice.
Anna is Above Yoga's owner and lead retreat planner who has lead more than 25 retreats since 2017. She spent 12 days in Japan in 2025 to scout every aspect of this experience. With Anna at the helm, expect an attention to detail, delivered with a smile. She's been a yoga teacher for a decade and loves to guide classes that are accessible to all levels of practitioner such as: slower vinyasa classes, gentle yoga and guided meditations.
Born and raised in Japan, Satoko began her yoga journey in 1998 while studying abroad in California, as a college student. Her first class was a power yoga session with Bryan Kest, which completely transformed her life and career path. She is a RYT 200 who specializes in Hatha Yoga, Foot Reflexology and also Mat Pilates. Based in Sendai, Japan, she inspires people to awaken their own innate intelligence to heal and to live happy, fulfilling lives.
Previous
Next
DAY 1
After checking in around 3 pm and getting settled into our centrally-located 4 star Tokyo hotel, we'll meet up for an official welcome gathering in the hotel so you can meet your fellow travelers and trip leaders.
Then we'll head out to our first curated group dinner in town. We'll dive straight into Japan's cuisine and Tokyo's stunning neighborhoods. Upon return, we encourage you to sleep the night away and get prepared for the first full day of fun!
*Note: If you'd like to add additional nights in Tokyo ahead of the retreat, we can assist.
Dinner
DAY 2
No need to rise too early this morning, but breakfast and coffee will be waiting for you whenever you do. We'll convene in the lobby around 10 am to jump on the train and head north to the Asakusa area for our private food tour!
We'll learn everything from the proper way to eat sushi (you're probably doing it wrong) and the traditional way to enjoy soba noodles. We'll also tour of a large temple complex - as this is meant to be a deep dive in everything that makes Tokyo so popular - as shown to you by a local.
We'll arrive back at the hotel about 2:30 pm, where you'll enjoy some free time before we meet up for an epic dinner at one of our favorite Tokyo restaurants. "Shabu shabu" is a social, Japanese hot pot and hands-on style of eating. Thin slices of meat and vegetables are cooked at the table by dipping them into simmering broth and then into ponzu sauce. Ours is "all-you-can-eat" with wagyu beef + unlimited sashimi / sushi and tempura dishes.
Breakfast
Lunch
Guided Food Tour
DAY 3
Wake at your leisure at enjoy breakfast around 8 or 9 am. We'll check out and head to the Tokyo train station about 10 am. We'll hop aboard the world-famous bullet train, locally referred to as the Shikansen. After a 90 minute high speed journey and some great scenery en-route, we'll arrive at Sendai station. Sendai is the largest city in the Miyagi Prefecture in the Tohoku region of northern Japan - and will serve as our jumping off point for the remainder of the trip.
You'll have 90 minutes of free time hour to grab lunch on your own at one of the many local eateries within the station, before we hop on our private charter transfer to our next hotel at 2 pm.
After check in at 2:30 pm, you'll have some free time to explore your new home at our elegant and traditional hotel. We suggest you take time to dip into the on-site "onsen" - a hot spring fed pool. If you'd also like to enjoy some yoga - we'll have an on-site slow flow class at 5 pm. Or maybe you grab a drink in our picturesque hotel lounge overlooking the koi pond before we meet up a special dinner.
Bullet Train Ticket
Yoga Class
DAY 4
Join for an optional morning vinyasa yoga class before breakfast on-site at our hotel. At 10 am we'll board our private transportation for our 2.5 hour guided tour of some of the area's best sights. You'll visit both a temple and a shrine and learn from our local guide about the difference in the Buddhism and Shinto religious traditions in the area.
In the afternoon we'll return to the hotel and you'll have free time to grab lunch at a local restaurant nearby (we recommend a tiny mom + pop sushi spot)! You'll also have plenty of time to relax into our hotel's on site onsen or hot spring. We'll have dinner at the hotel tonight.
Guided Tour
DAY 5
Enjoy optional morning yoga at 7 am at our hotel before diving into another hearty breakfast to fuel up for our full day ahead. We'll take a private transfer to the seaside town of Matsushima and its stunning bay.
Our first stop is at a tea house for a cup of matcha. Next, we'll have a guided private tour of a stunning temple with a local Buddhist monk and practice traditional Zen meditation under his guidance. Afterwards we'll have a Shojin Ryori lunch of high-end Buddhist vegan cuisine in a traditional local restaurant. Then you'll have a bit of free time to either walk through the Japanese garden next door, or shop a bit in town before we transfer back to our hotel (arriving around 5 pm). We'll have another fabulous group dinner at 7 pm.
Zen Meditation
DAY 6
If you're in need of mindful movement - we'll have another vinyasa yoga class this morning before enjoying our final breakfast at this hotel. We will check out around 10 am and head to our next epic excursion. We'll get our steps in today - hundreds of them - with a 90 minute hike / walk up to the top of a majestic mountain setting in the Yamagata Prefecture. We'll have a guide to help explain all of the shrines and temples you'll see along the way and how to engage in ritual offerings as you desire.
Then we'll slurp up some delicious soba noodles for lunch - a specialty in the area. After lunch, we'll board our private transfer again to head to our next and final hotel - a 5 star dream. You'll have some free time later this afternoon and then we'll have our first group dinner at this property.
DAY 7
Our favorite combination of morning yoga and breakfast awaits in new breathtaking surrounds! We'll also offer an optional journaling workshop around 9:30 am, or relish in additional free time to enjoy a soak in the on-site onsen (hot springs).
Mid-day we'll head south towards Shiroishi City for lunch and a sake brewery tour + tasting. Sake not your thing? There's plenty other sites to see and explore nearby. Once we're back at the hotel late afternoon, you'll have a bit more free time before our group dinner.
Sake Brewery Tour
Journaling Workshop
DAY 8
Another beautiful morning to move with our breath in our morning yoga class. Post breakfast we'll take a private transfer to visit the Okama Crater, a beautiful crater with a lake on Mount Zao. A short walk will bring you to mind-blowing views of this natural phenomenon that is an ever-changing kaleidoscope of colors. We'll have lunch while out on excursion and then you'll be stewarded back to the hotel for a free afternoon.
At 4 pm we will engage in a lovely Japanese ritual of a tea ceremony on-site at the hotel with an area tea master. Whether you're a tea aficionado or not - the experience will be a memorable one. Afterwards we'll hold a special evening yoga class + farewell closing circle before our final dinner together. We'll dine kaiseki style again - many courses of high-end cuisine.
Okama Crater Tour
Tea Ceremony
Closing Yoga Circle
DAY 9
We'll have a leisurely breakfast as we recount all of our amazing moments. At 11 am we'll check out and make our way to the local train station (about 40 minutes away). And about 12 noon, we'll board the Shinkansen or bullet train back to Tokyo Station. You may want to grab a bento box for the train - a fun ritual. You'll arrive back in Tokyo at approximately 1:45 pm for your additional time in the city or any onward travel. It's never goodbye, but just see you next time.
Train Ticket
Daily On-Site Breakfast
Four (4) Group Lunches
Eight (8) Curated Group Dinners
Six (6) Yoga + Movement Classes
Tokyo Food Tour
Guided Meditation with Buddhist Monk
Traditional Tea Ceremony
Hike + Guided Tour of Mountain Temple Complex
Guided Tour of Matsushima
Excursion to Mountain Lake Crater
Sake Brewery Tour + Tasting
Several Other Cultural + Nature Excursions
Round Trip Bullet Train Tickets
All Ground Transfers for Excursions
Pre-Retreat Zoom meeting
Private Facebook Group for Participants
Detailed Pre-Retreat Info Packet (Packing List, Itinerary, Etc.)
Roundtrip Airfare to Tokyo
Travel Insurance (Highly Recommended)
2-3 Lunches (Budget $15-$20)
Personal Spending (Shopping, Alcohol, Etc.)
Standard room with either two twins or one Euro-sized king. En suite private bathroom. Share with a friend or partner. If we are not able to pair you, you will need to pay a single supplement.
FROM$8,500.00/pp
Standard room with one Euro king at each property. En suite private bathroom. A single supplement is included for guests who want their own space.
FROM$10,500.00/pp
VIEW GALLERY
We'll spend 2 nights in Tokyo before we take the bullet train up to the Tohoku region of northern Japan. Our next 6 nights will be split between two ryokans (or Japanese spa hotels) in the area near Sendai. Our excursions will span across both the Miyagi and Yamagata Prefectures and we'll also venture into popular towns like the sea-side Matsushima. We are getting off the traditional tourist path and diving deep into a spectacular and traditional area of Japan - where tourists are warmly welcomed! You are welcome to add on more time in Tokyo at your own cost before or after the retreat.
You can choose to land in either Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND). The retreat program will start at around 6 pm on the first day and end at 2 pm on the final day (upon our bullet train's return to Tokyo). Additional nights in our Tokyo hotel can be booked at your expense. You can book your own flights at least 4-6 months before the trip or you can engage our travel agent partner to book all of your retreat-related flights for a fee of just $38. More details about arrival and departures will be sent in our welcome email you'll receive immediately upon booking.
A $2,000 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your booking. The remaining costs will be divided into 5 equal payments and will billed to your credit card automatically on the 23rd of the following months (January 2026, April 2026, July 2026, October 2026, January 2027). You will be send reminders one week before these payments are processed. Please note our Terms & Conditions before booking for more information on cancellation policies and liability waiver, you will be asked to agree at check out. https://www.aboveyoga.com/terms/terms_and_conditions
Japan operates on the yen (¥) and about ¥150 = $1 USD (as of October 2025). If the currency exchange fluctuates more than 10% from this rate, we reserve the right to request a small surcharge from guests (or we will offer up a small refund) as we are paying all of our partners in yen. Many larger merchants and restaurants will accept credit cards to complete transactions, however it's always helpful to have some local currency. U.S. citizens do not need a visa or to do any extra paperwork to enter Japan - only a valid passport.
We'll be staying in three different properties - one in Tokyo and two in northern Japan. On this experience our hotels are an average of 4 star properties and all have a great mix of modern amenities with traditional Japanese elements. See "Accommodation / Where We'll Be Staying" section of this page for a more detailed breakdown. Please note, that none of our hotels are fully private for our group, so there will be other people (mostly Japanese guests) staying on property at the same time.
The average weather for this time of year is highs in 70s and lows in the mid 50s. Northern Japan has a warm and pleasant climate with some rain showers possible. An umbrella is great thing to pack for potential rain or sun protection on bright days. There is recommended dress for temple visits and nicer dinners - dressy casual that covers shoulders and knees.
This retreat is an activity and adventure score of 3/3.5 out of 5. This is not, however, meant to be an indicator that you need to be in extraordinary physical shape to participate. It's meant to indicate that our main touring days will be activity-filled. And that the cuisine and culture will be very different than any other place you've been. As always - everything is optional. Please note that a few of our tours do require a good bit of walking (and one requires climbing hundreds of stairs - this can be done at your own pace, and/or you can turn around and start the descent at any time you choose).
It is standard to bathe in the healing onsen waters (hot springs) fully nude. This is a cultural norm and there is no exception made for tourists. In the past, visible tattoos were often associated organized crime in Japan, so most onsens prohibit guests with tattoos. However, a good alternative if you are uncomfortable nude, or you have tattoos, is to reserve time in a private onsen at our hotels (where you'll bathe alone). Tattoos are not a problem outside of the hot springs.
Our centrally-located city hotel has incredible Tokyo skyline views from 30 floors up. Amenities include an on-site bar, restaurant with city views and a small fitness facility. Rooms average about 200 sq. ft. - which is smaller than a standard American hotel room, but considered good size for a city with a premium on space like Tokyo. We'll be adjacent to the main Tokyo train station which provides easy access to the rest of the city.
Our first hotel in the Tohoku region is a traditional ryokan in the Miyagi Prefecture, in a charming, walkable hot springs town. It's made for relaxation - from a lounge overlooking a koi pond to the expansive garden views from the guestrooms. Enjoy unlimited access to the on-site onsen (hot spring spa).
Please note that these rooms are traditional Japanese tatami mat style. This means that firm futon mattresses are set up each evening on the floor by your room attendant. There is very limited availability to change to a room with western-style beds after booking.
Our final property is a 5 star traditional Japanese inn located at the base of Mt. Zao that blends Japanese aesthetics with modern amenities and offers both communal and private hot spring baths fed by a 400-year-old source. Wander the tranquil well-treed paths and streams along the property, savor high-quality local cuisine and indulge in this property's environment of reserved and quiet opulence. Rooms range from 450-500 sq ft and have high-end spa-like bathrooms.
Japan·23 - 31 May 2027·8 nights
FROM$8500/pp
Join the waiting list and we will let you know if a spot becomes available.