There are places in the world that naturally invite reverence - Kyoto is one of those places. This five‑night Yoga and cultural Retreat is an invitation to step into an atmosphere of ritual for five precious days, and to rediscover what it means to treat your own life as sacred.
Sunday 20 September - Friday 25 September, 2026
The Intention.
The essence of this retreat is the theme of ritual. Not as something ceremonial for ceremony’s sake, but as a living practice of intention, rhythm, and reverence.
Together, we will:
- Create our own simple daily rituals while on retreat.
- Reflect on the rituals (conscious or unconscious) that shape our lives at home.
- Explore how meaningful rituals can support grounding, clarity, and devotion in everyday life.
- Experience traditional Japanese rituals as embodied practices.
Through yoga, meditation, contemplation, cultural immersion, and shared experience, you’ll be invited to create a beautiful intimacy with ‘self’ and the energy and magic of life within and around us. An opportunity to experience ritual not as something separate from life, but as the way you choose to live your life.
Immersing in Kyoto.
Kyoto offers a rare opportunity to witness ancient traditions still woven into daily life. Once the imperial capital of Japan for over 1,000 years, Kyoto remains the heart of traditional Japanese culture. With more than 1,600 temples, 800 shrines, 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, and centuries-old rituals still alive and practiced, the city feels like an open‑air museum dedicated to presence, beauty, and devotion. Kyoto felt like the most aligned location for this program - Offering an incredibly enriching travel experience, paired with a deep and sincere daily practice of yoga, meditation… and the practice of ‘being’.
Kyoto invites you to:
- Wander through golden temples and vermilion shrines, Zen rock gardens and bamboo forests.
- Witness and take part in Buddhist rituals & ceremonies - monks chanting and performing ceremonies in flowing robes.
- Experience the artistry of Japanese cuisine, from humble bowls of ramen to refined multi‑course dining.
- You may even catch a glimpse of geisha in exquisite kimono moving between traditional teahouses.
This retreat places equal emphasis on adventure, cultural immersion, and taking a beautiful and intimate journey inward to your own inner landscape. I invite you to meet yourself, and Japan with openness and honour as we explore the power of ritual in our own lives. Remembering that even the smallest, most ordinary moments of our lives are worthy of reverence.
Accommodation.
Our accommodation is a calm and sacred gem, nestled in the cultural heart of Kyoto. We will be staying on Buddhist temple grounds in the Higashiyama area of Kyoto. Some highlights of our accommodation:
Sacred surroundings with beautiful gardens on grounds.
Immediate access to historic temple grounds with the opportunity to experience the Traditional Buddhist morning service, and the practise of Sutra Copying.
Daily housekeeping and attentive service.
Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the venue.
Daily access to onsite communal bath house to relax and unwind.
There is an on-site restaurant and cafe at our accommodation, where we’ll share many meals together. The restaurant serves:
Traditional multi-course dinners featuring Kyoto specialties.
Buddhist vegetarian dishes served in alignment with temple traditions.
Japanese style set breakfasts.
The accommodation consistently receives exceptional reviews across major booking platforms and provides a deeply supportive environment for rest, reflection, and practice.
All rooms feature a private ensuite bathroom and are designed for comfort and ease, using natural materials such as solid American cherry wood and tanned leather, paired with luxurious down duvets. Each room includes air-conditioning, an air purifier with humidifier, refrigerator, electronic safe, closet, hair dryer, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Ensuite bathrooms are fitted with a bath, warm-water bidet toilet seat, and essential amenities, including towels, shampoo, conditioner, body and hand soap, and basic toiletries.
Retreat Inclusions:
5 nights accommodation in Private or Twin Room, with ensuite and sitting area.
Most meals throughout the retreat including all the special excursion lunches & dinners. There is free time on some afternoons/evenings on this retreat therefore there will be 3 x meals you will have out on your own (or with other retreat attendees) which you will be required to cover expenses for. There are lots of eating options in Kyoto to meet all budgets.
Authentic Yudofu lunch at a renowned tofu restaurant set within traditional Japanese gardens — a seasonal, multi-course meal centred around delicate silken tofu and tofu skin, served alongside local Kyoto vegetables, vegetable tempura, sashimi, rice, and seasonal accompaniments.
Kaiseki-style dinner hosted in a beautifully preserved 100-year-old Kyoto townhouse — a set-course dining experience that honours seasonality, craftsmanship, and the ritual of shared meals.
Twice-daily Yoga and Meditation sessions in the ‘Grand Hall’. It’s a rare privilege to practice yoga and meditation in the Grand Hall, a space traditionally reserved for Buddhist ceremonies and festivals, it holds a deep sacred energy.
Sunrise guided cultural excursion and tour.
Kibune to Kurama hike - a sacred and scenic mountain walk connecting two historic villages.
Kurama Onsen - a beautiful indoor and outdoor hot spring bathing experience at the top of your hike.
Private bus transfer from Kibune to Kurama Hike + Onsen.
Private group: Gyoza & Ramen cooking class.
Private group: Traditional Tea Ceremony practiced in the region where this ancient ritual was born over 400 years ago - with optional Kimono wearing ;)
Full Program Fees.
Private Hotel Room: $5,150 AUD
Entire hotel room to yourself.
Twin Share Hotel Room: $4,500 AUD
Sharing hotel room with your friend/partner.
If you have further questions about your accommodation, facilities or location please reach out via email (hello@melissamai.com.au).
Please note:
• If you would like to share a room with a friend/partner/family member, each person will need to make a seperate booking, and making note of this on your form.
• A $1200 deposit is required to secure your place. Balance is due 10th August 2026.
About Melissa.
Melissa Mai has been teaching yoga for 12 years since her return from India in 2013. It was here she completed her Yoga Teacher Training with Swami Govindananda. Melissa advocates for yoga to be inclusive and welcoming of the diversity of being human. She has facilitated at large wellness events and corporate offices, managed a yoga studio, and led retreats worldwide. Melissa is particularly passionate about the power of yoga on ones mental and emotional wellbeing. She has given herself permission to allow her style of teaching to evolve over the years alongside her evolution as a human/woman. And, she encourages her students to do the same. You can expect her classes to be slow, steady, and heart felt.
‘I don’t care about how you look; all I care about is how you feel. Within every asana (yoga posture) is an experience to be felt. Grounded, connected, humble, alive, vulnerable’.
Frequently Asked Questions
I haven’t done much Yoga at all, I feel like a beginner, will this be suitable?
Yes, I ensure to meet every participant at their level. I am welcoming, inclusive and have 12+ years experience in accomodating my students unique needs.
What type of Yoga will you be offering?
We will be practising both strengthening and rejuvenating practices, and restorative/yin practices. The classes that are more active and strengthening, always ebb & flow between both movement and stillness as my preference is to offer you a feeling of staying grounded with time to recalibrate and find your centre, amidst any strength/heat building. I will always offer modifications and progressions for all levels and abilities, and provide safe instruction for those with injuries.
What if I have an injury?
Almost all injuries can be accommodated and supported. Yoga is an inclusive practice and there will always be some way to move your body that will be of benefit to you. We’re here to help you find a way to modify and create a practice that supports you.
How fit do I need to be for the Kibune to Kurama hike? How long is it?
The trail is approx 3.9km. We will allow 2 hours for the hike, allowing time to stop and rest, to enjoy the scenery and take photos etc… It is considered a moderate walk, with some uphill elevated sections. Good walking shoes are recommended, as we will be walking on both stone steps, natural trail with some uneven sections. As you walk, you’ll pass through mossy cedar forests, stone paths, small shrines, and spiritual spots. I have arranged a private bus to take us to the start of our hike, and pick us up at the end after we enjoy the Onsen + eat a delicious lunch there. If you have ankle or knee mobility challenges, or don’t feel comfortable taking part in this hike, you are welcome to have a morning to yourself, and our bus driver will come back and pick you up from our retreat venue, so you can enjoy the Onsen bathhouse and lunch with us.
Will there be free time to explore Kyoto on our own?
There is one afternoon in our program where you’ll have the whole afternoon + dinner time to explore Kyoto on your own. You might choose to visit somewhere that’s not part of our program such as the Nishiki Markets, the traditional Japanese theatre, book into an authentic Japanese massage, or perhaps another sacred site if that’s your thing! There are additional windows of around 2.5-3 hours free time throughout our retreat for rest or further exploration if you wish. Upon booking, you will receive information on when this free time afternoon is, so you can make plans and bookings if you choose.
What time does the retreat start and finish?
Check in’s at 3:00pm on Sunday 20th September 2026, with our first meet & practice at 4:00pm. If your flight does not arrive in the morning of the 20th September, I would suggest arriving to Japan the day before and staying at a hotel close to your arrival airport before making your way to our retreat venue the following day. Just like usual hotels, you are welcome to drop your luggage to our Retreat venue any time on the 20th September and they will contact you when your room is ready.
Check out is at 10:00am on Friday 25th September 2026. There is no morning practice on this date, just breakfast together before we go our seperate ways, so if your travel plans require you to depart before our check out time, that’s okay.
What is your cancellation policy?
You can view the payment terms and cancellation policy here.
Is it okay if I choose not to participate in some of the activities or classes?
To honour the intention and journey we are embarking on during this program, it is a requirement that you do intend to participate in most of the Yoga & Meditation classes. Ofcourse if you are needing more rest of 1-2 of the scheduled practices, that’s okay, you are supported in taking more rest. The excursions are all optional.
I want to attend with my teenage child - What is the minimum age?
We suggest 16 years old as a minimum age to attend. There are exceptions to this as we understand every child is different. If your child has practiced yoga before and is self motivated to attend this yoga retreat, please get in touch with Melissa (hello@melissamai.com.au) to discuss.
Do I need to bring my Yoga mat and props?
Yes, please bring your own Yoga Mat with you.
Can you cater for my dietary requirements?
Yes! You’ll be sent an Enrolment form shortly after your booking, requesting your dietary requirements.
Do I need a visa to enter Japan?
There are over 60 countries that do not require a visa for short-term tourist visits to Japan. Countries such as Australia, New Zealand, USA, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and many more. You can find the full details here: https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html
How many months validity do I require on my passport to enter Japan?
Japan only requires that a foreign visitor’s passport be valid for the entire duration of their stay.
How do I get there?
Kyoto itself doesn’t have its own international airport. Most international guests fly into Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Osaka.. It is the closest and most convenient airport to Kyoto, with direct train or bus connections taking approximately 70–90 minutes to arrive to Kyoto Station. Chubu Centrair Airport (Nagoya) is another good option, with an easy journey to Kyoto of around 80–90 minutes by train and Shinkansen. Tokyo Haneda Airport is also a viable alternative, particularly for guests spending time in Tokyo prior, with a smooth bullet train journey to Kyoto taking approximately 2.5–3 hours.
Once you arrive into Kyoto Station by train (from Kansai, Nagoya, or Tokyo), the best option is to get a taxi from the station direct to our Retreat Venue, which will take approximately 15 min and cost ¥1800–¥2200 (around AUD 20–30).
Alternatively you could organise a private car from Kansai International Airport direct to our retreat venue, however I believe it will take around 20-30 min longer than the train option above, and of course a lot more costly.
Japan’s transport system is exceptionally organised, clean, and reliable, and signage is clearly marked in English throughout major airports and train stations. Trains run frequently and on time, and station staff are always available to assist. Exact address of our retreat will be provided upon booking, and I am happy to support you with any further travel questions before you travel.