Retreats across Japan

A journey through Japanese culture for all five senses.
Small-group retreats in Ehime, Kyoto and beyond, following culture, nature, food and the people behind them.

Not Sightseeing

Not Sightseeing — Building a Relationship

Rushing between famous places cannot teach you a region's culture or the thinking of its people.

On this retreat we spend real time with each place and each experience — with residents, artisans, nature, food and history — creating room to step back from daily life and feel the value of Japanese culture.

Ehime Retreat

Culture Living in Nature and Daily Life

In Ehime you meet abundant nature, regional food, making, and the lives of people rooted in the place — a cultural experience close to everyday life rather than urban tourism.

Meeting local artisans and businesses
Traditional craft and handwork
Food culture with local ingredients
Reflection in nature
Visiting regional revitalisation projects
Time with residents

Kyoto Retreat

Inherited Aesthetics and Spirit

In Kyoto you study culture refined over centuries: temples and shrines, architecture, gardens, crafts, tea and calligraphy — and the thinking behind them, not the tourist surface.

Guided temples, shrines and history
Calligraphy, tea and craft sessions
Artisan workshop visits
Learning the culture of the seasons
Lectures on Japanese aesthetics
Quiet reflection and dialogue

Programme

The Core Programme

Know

Study the region and its culture beforehand.

Meet

Spend time with the people keeping the culture alive.

Experience

Handwork, food, art and nature through all five senses.

Reflect

Put what you felt and noticed into words.

Tell others once you are home and back in daily life.

Who It Is For

Those who want to study Japanese culture deeply
Those seeking something other than ordinary tourism
Those drawn to handwork and crafts
Those who want time with themselves
Those who wish to share Japanese culture abroad
Those who want to meet local people
TSUMUGU members who want to experience it on site

Our Commitments

Run carefully, in small groups
Respect the regions and cultural custodians
Limit the burden tourism places on places
Return fees fairly to regions and makers
Never consume culture one-sidedly
Respect cultural differences among participants

Building the future of Japanese culture, together.

We welcome partnerships with companies, local governments, artisans, artists, schools and cultural organizations working on international communication and cultural continuity. A small question is a fine place to start.

Talk to us about working together