Where is the retreat? Tokyo, Kanazawa and Wakura Onsen, Japan.
How do I get there? You are responsible for booking your own plane flight and meeting at the Tokyo Train Station where our hotel is. We suggest flying into Haneda Airport (30 min away via train) or Narita Airport (60 min away via train) and taking a train to the Tokyo Station Hotel. For detailed information about taking the train, read more here.
Transfer Included/Cost? Transfers to and from the retreat are not included, but we are happy to help you with your travel plans.
Start Time: Check-in will begin at 3pm and we will meet at 4:30 pm to begin the retreat.
End Time: April 9, 2017 after breakfast in Wakura Onsen.
Can I arrive early to the retreat and stay late?
You will need to purchase your flights in order to arrive/depart by given dates and time ranges for your specific trip. If you choose to arrive/depart earlier or later than given day/time you will be responsible for any additional cost of transportation.
What is Included? All 7 nights of accommodations, transportation during retreat, most meals, tea ceremony, visit to gardens, hot springs in Wakura Onsen, excursion to Noto Peninsula, and more.
What is not included?
Optional activities (ie. museums), transfer to/from retreat, tips, massage, and extra food and drink are not included.
1. Tokyo Station Hotel (Standard Rooms have 2 single beds, Deluxe Couples have a shared King bed).
Located in JR Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building with direct access from Marunouchi South Gate Entrance on the 1st floor. It is a 3-minute walk from Tokyo Station Marunouchi Subway Line. 30 minutes via Tokyo Monorail Hamamatsu-cho from the Haneda Airport and 60 minutes via Narita Express (NEX) train from Narita Airport. Here are detailed directions from the Haneda Airport and the Narita Airport.
2. Tokyu Hotel (All rooms have 2 single beds)
3. Tadaya (Deluxe Rooms have 2 single beds and Standard rooms have 2 Japanese mattresses)
Those traveling alone should select the Standard Shared or Deluxe Shared Rooms, and we will pair you with a fellow yogi.
If I sign up alone, how do you organize roommates?
We’ll arrange roommates based on gender, age, where you are from and interests.
How many people will be on this yoga retreat?
We intend to have a maximum of 16 people on the trip.
Please note: Food is absolutely central to this retreat. The colorful, nourishing and plentiful meals will take this experience to the next level and the cuisine here invites openness and flexibility around diet. On most of our retreats, we can accommodate nearly every dietary request, but dietary restrictions are not easily accommodated in Japan. You do have plenty of freedom to have meals on your own though. However, we simply request that if you register for this retreat you consider that there will be very limited options to guarantee vegetarian/vegan/gluten free meals because many subtle ingredients (ie. fish powder) in most items cooked will not be able to be removed. Please ask us if you would like suggestions for other delicious trips that can accommodate requests more easily.
Wifi
We’re always fans of unplugging, but it is generally easy to access wifi while traveling in Japan.
Weather: Spring is typically a beautiful time to travel in Japan. It will be peak cherry blossom time. We expect mild weather during the day and cool evenings.
Currency/Cash/CC: Japanese Yen. Many places will take credit card, but we highly suggest taking out cash (Yen), especially before we leave Tokyo and go to more rural areas.
Visa & Vaccines: You must have a valid passport and a return ticket for tourist “visa free” stay of up to 90 days. Your passports must be valid for the entire time you are staying in Japan.
Languages spoken at destinations: Japanese and some English. We will have native Japanese speakers on retreat.
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance for all of our international yoga retreats is mandatory. Unfortunately we cannot allow participation unless proof of travel insurance is sent to us before. Purchase your travel insurance within a week of purchasing your plane flight.
See our terms for specific policy suggestions.
Learn more about Ai and Mark on the retreat page. We will generally practice yoga 1-2 times daily. You do need to bring your yoga mat and any props you would like.
Our in-flight packing suggestions:
Directions for the greeting at the airport if you would like:
*Narita Express (NEX) round-trip tickets are available at discounted rates for foreign passport holders. The discounted fare for Narita Airport-Tokyo round trip ticket is at 4,000 yen ($37) – as opposed to the usual 6,040yen. One-way tickets remain at the usual price of 3,020 yen ($28) for ordinary and 4,560yen for Green Car first class.
At Narita Airport Arrival Lobby, please look for the signage “Railways” towards the basement floor. Look for Narita Express Ticket Office (in red signage) and purchase tickets bound to Tokyo Station.
Upon purchase of tickets, please call us at +813-5220-1111 OR by using your smartphone, please take a clear photo of your purchased NEX ticket and send to concierge@tokyostationhotel.jp with your name and mobile phone number on the message’s title. Please send the information below BEFORE boarding the train: Exact arrival time at Tokyo Station and Train car number (coach) as indicated on the ticket
Our uniformed staff holding a placard with the hotel logo will be waiting for you at Tokyo Station Narita Express (N’EX) platform outside your coach.
Wi-Fi access is available at Narita Airport. Please select SSID “Free WiFi-NARITA”.
Venues: First stop…Tokyo Station Hotel // Address: 1 Chome-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan. Phone: +81 3-5220-1111
YOGASCAPES Retreat Support: (510) 629-9191, help@yogascapes.com
What can I expect on a YOGASCAPES retreat?
You can expect to explore the most incredible parts of the world, savor delicious flavors daily, and dive into incredible yoga with the best yoga teachers in the world.
Do I need yoga experience?
We welcome yogis of all levels, from absolute beginners to advanced practioners. Yoga retreats are not just for the yogi who practices every day and can touch the floor with their elbows. Our retreats offer opportunities for growth and new experience, no matter how much time you have spent on your mat. Regardless, we suggest keeping an open mind and trying out practices that might be new to you.
How do I pick which yoga retreats to go on?
Start by exploring the Escapes page to see what’s out there, and trust your instincts! We travel to all corners of the world, so whether you are looking to unplug at a tropical oasis, soak in hot springs just a short drive from the city, or gaze into the starry sky in the desert, we offer it all! Check out this blog for more ideas to get you started, and if you have questions, ask!
Can I go on a Retreat by myself?
Yes! About half our participants come alone and often come away with lifelong friends. If you’re traveling alone, a yoga retreat is the best way to meet new people with similar interests in a safe and healthy environment.
How many people will be on the retreats?
Our group sizes depend on which trip you are joining. They reflect our desire to be small and intimate for having a good teacher to student ratio while keeping in mind the joy and community that can come from a certain size group. The trips generally range from 15-25 guests.
What food can I expect?
We will provide almost all of the meals during your trip (2-3 daily), as described in the trip description. We always enjoy delicious food on our retreats and strive to include organic, fresh ingredients as often as possible. Please let us know as soon as you sign up for the trip or before you sign up if you have any special needs; food allergies or other allergies, or any other special needs or conditions, dietary or medical.
What should I bring?
Please see trip description for additional items, but you should generally bring: yoga mat, sunscreen, comfortable clothes and shoes, sunglasses, headlamp, book, journal, reusable water bottle, and a little sense of adventure!
How much free time do we have?
Our retreats include a healthy balance between group activities and solo free time to relax, read a book, take a walk, etc. The days that we have outings planned we will go lighter on the yoga and we generally build in time for participants to go off on their own or simply stay at our retreat center.
When will I receive trip details?
Upon registration, you will receive a welcome message with general trip information. As the date approaches you will receive trip reminders and specifics relevant to your retreat.
What’s Included?
Please refer to the “what’s included” section of each trip for more details, but typically we include all lodging, all breakfasts and most other meals. Each trip varies, but we like to include 1-2 excusions and leave the other days for optional activities. All yoga classes are included. Some trips will include transportation from the airport and all trips will include transportation for listed included activities!
When should I book?
We offer discounts for signing up before certain dates, so the earlier you sign up the better your price may be. Check the specific trip you are interested in to make sure you sign up before the next deadline!
Do I need to book my own flight?
You are responsible for booking your own flight. Each trip will have suggested arrival and departure details based on when we know you need to be in the airport and you can always send us the itinerary before booking if you want to double check it’s correct!
How do I get from the airport to the retreat center?
For most retreats you are responsible for your own airport transfer unless stated otherwise. You can always request support booking your transfer and we are usually able to pair people up to share in the cost.
What is the currency and where do I get it? How much cash will I need?
All of the activities highlighted on the trip page are included in the price. However, we will have free time for you to explore on your own. If you choose to go on any optional excursions you will be responsible for the costs but we will definitely help you arrange anything.
Can I arrive early and stay late?
You will need to purchase your flights in order to arrive/depart by given dates and time ranges for your specific trip. If you choose to arrive earlier or later than given day/time you will be responsible for the cost of transportation needed to join up with the group. We always encourage you to to explore the area, if that option is available to you. At some locations you will be able to arrive early or stay late at the venue itself, while at other locations you will need to stay elsewhere.
Is travel insurance mandatory? How do I purchase it?
Travel insurance for all of our international yoga retreats is mandatory. Unfortunately we cannot allow participation unless proof of travel insurance is sent to us before. Purchase your travel insurance within a week of purchasing your plane flight.
Compare Insurance Options at SquareMouth.com. We highly recommend that you add “cancel for any reason” to your policy. Although normal trip cancellation will cover you for illness or injury, or for a travel companions illness, injury or death, it is limited to these. With “cancel for any reason” you will receive a percentage (usually 75%-100%) of all pre-paid costs. With this coverage if something comes up, a wedding, a new job opportunity, etc. or if YOGASCAPES has to cancel due to weather, staff injury or illness or other unforeseen reasons, you will be covered. *This option needs to be purchased within 15 days of your trip deposit.
We suggest this policy from Travel Guard or similar:
Travel Guard – Gold(Protect Assist) w/ Cancel for any reason http://www.travelguard.com/
For more information please contact the Insurance provider you are looking to purchase with or contact us
Is my ticket refundable?
If cancellation takes place more than 60 days prior to your departure date any payments made will be refunded minus your deposit. If cancellation takes place between 30-60 days prior to your departure, 50% of the trip price will be refunded OR 100% of the trip price minus the deposit will be credited toward another trip. If cancellation takes place less than 30 days prior to your departure date, 100% of the trip price will be forfeited.
Do you have discounts available?
We offer a limited number of early-bird prices and students/teachers/artist rates to make our trips as accessible as possible. We also offer occasional giveaways and specials that can be seen by following us on Facebook.
Payment plan
Please contact us directly if you are interested in payment plan. We want to make our trips accessible to as many people as possible and are open to setting up a payment plan in certain situations.