One of the best times to visit Japan is in the spring when the world-famous Japanese cherry blossoms are in full bloom. So we thought, what if we combined cherry blossoms with yoga on a wellness retreat? It was a match made in heaven.

This retreat will include travel around Japan with a local private guide. We will enjoy yoga as scheduled, along with daily cultural experiences. 

Accommodations: 
 

You will be staying 6 nights at centrally located Hyatt Regency hotels that are highly rated and 1 night in Mt Fuji ( Hakone).
 

Flights:
 

Plan your air travel to arrive at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo (HND) on April 2nd, no later than 3 PM.
 

Plan your air travel to depart from Osaka in the afternoon. Your guide will transport you from Kyoto to Osaka for your departing flight.

Other information:

* Schedule is subject to change.

** Please note that if you wish to participate in a Japanese Onsen, they are separated by gender and are experienced in the nude. The Onsen and all activities listed are completely optional.

In the event of trip cancellation before the 90-day deadline, $500 of the deposited amount is non-refundable, as well as any airfare, train tickets, or ferry tickets purchased as part of your trip package due to the strict cancellation policy by foreign carriers ( If applicable).

Trip cancellations requested after the final payment deadlines listed above are non-refundable, and guests are encouraged to file a claim with their travel insurance for reimbursement. 

In the unlikely event Walker Wellness Retreats cancels the retreat, guests will be provided a full 100% refund of their booking. 

Lastly, we partner with several third-party booking platforms with separate deposit and cancellation policies. Please refer to their specific cancellation policies if booking through a third-party partner.

Questions about refunds or cancellations? Click here to view our payment and cancellation policy.

The deadline to book an international retreat is 30 days before the retreat begins; however, some exceptions can be made based on availability. Please email us at contact@walkerwellnessretreats.com to inquire about booking after the deadline.

The moment I found yoga, I began transforming into the person I am today. On the mat I learned how to love myself and others. Then suddenly it became obvious that I needed to transcend the unhealthy habits, relationships, and career path that previously defined me. 

In 2009 I received my 200-hour Teacher Training from Yoga South in Boca Raton. It was here that I gained the foundation of alignment, sequencing, and adjustments that are staples of my teaching style. Later, I received a Yin Teacher certification from Little Ocean Yoga in Jupiter. Today, I continue to practice with mentors regularly because I understand that an exceptional teacher must also be a devoted student.

 I am hands-on and I love to challenge students. When I’m not teaching yin, I generally guide a physically demanding, yet intuitive vinyasa flow that connects the body to the breath, mind and spirit. I encourage students to stay present through each posture and go inward to examine their self-limiting thoughts.

I believe our realities are shaped by our thoughts. And if we can rewire them to be more open, loving and forgiving, we can create healthier bodies and minds. 

I believe adjustments are another way to inspire students to go inward by helping them stretch beyond self-imposed limitations.

I hope to challenge students’ perceptions on the mat so they may see life off the mat differently. Of course, always with love, patience and encouragement. 

  Suggestions for Japan Travel Essentials

· Remember all your basic everyday items, such as your travel documents, ID, wallet, and money.

· Passport (be sure it has 6 months or more left before it expires)

· Proof of airline tickets/reservations/boarding passes

· Verification of hotel reservations

· Credit cards, cash, traveler’s checks, and other currency

· Identification documents, such as your driver’s license

· Translation guide and/or travel apps on your smartphone

· Travel insurance.

Luggage and Bags:

· Bring a lightweight, portable bag to carry with you in addition to your checked and carry-on luggage for the trip. Between public transport and a lot of city walking, even a carry-on sized suitcase can be a hassle. A comfortable “day bag” like a backpack is ideal for quick trips.   

· Checked suitcase (if needed)

· Smaller carry-on luggage

· Purse, backpack, or day bag

· Garment bag for nicer clothes

· Laptop bag or briefcase

· ID tags for all your bags, with your name, home address, and hotel address listed
 

Clothing:

· Pack as sparingly as possible – about a week’s worth of clothes should suffice for trips lasting a week or more – and re-wear items of clothing when you can. 

· Bring layers so you can always add or subtract clothes to be comfortable if the weather shifts.  Japanese style is modern, but there is an element of modesty in public life that is not always present in the U.S. or Europe. Avoid highly revealing clothing.   

· Undergarments x 8

· Socks x 8

· T-shirts

· Sturdy pair of walking shoes. Comfortable shoes is very important.

· Dress shoes

· Jacket

· Glasses/sunglasses

· Jeans, khakis, or light pants x 2

· Shorts or a light dress or skirt x 2

· Long-sleeve and short-sleeve shirts x 7

· Pajamas or sleepwear

· Formal/business wear. People in Japan tend to dress up and dress modest.

· Mittens, scarf, hat. It will be cool in the mornings and evenings

· Jewelry as desired/required by the type of trip – avoid bringing if you can

· A hat or visor for when it’s sunny

· Swimwear

· 1x warm boots

· 1-2 pairs of flats: Either both enclosed, or one enclosed and one open toed. 

· 4-5 x socks

· 6-10 pairs of underwear

· 3-5 bras

· 1 x pair of gloves

· Hat or beanie

· Cardigan x 2

· Tops x 4-7

· Dresses x 2-3: add more dresses and less tops if you so fancy

· Leggings and or stockings

Toiletries and Personal Care:

· Pack toiletries in your checked baggage to comply with airline regulations. Don’t sweat toiletries too much – they are easy to pick up at convenience stores or hotels.

· Toothbrush and toothpaste

· Dental floss

· Eye drops

· Contact lens solution/contacts/glasses

· Comb/brush

· Nail clipper/file/tweezers kit

· Razor(s) and shaving needs

· Make up/ cosmetics

· Feminine care needs

· Cologne/perfume

· Creams and ointments you might need

· Hair ties, bobby pins, or headbands

· Sunscreen

· Travel-size face wash

· Neutrogena face wipes – so handy for makeup-removal and long travel days.

· Travel-size dry shampoo

· Deodorant

Medical and First Aid:

· You can easily purchase key first-aid items at convenience stores in Japan. However, basic wound-care items are always good to have with you while you travel.

· Prescription medications

· Over-the-counter medications like painkillers, cough medicine, motion sickness pills, and vitamins

· Any medical equipment or devices you may require 

· Copy of your medical history and medication information, either on your smartphone app or on a sheet of paper in your wallet/purse in case of emergency

· Emergency contact information
 

Electronics:

· Bring your smartphone and associated chargers, plugs, and gadgets for your trip to Japan, and keep in mind whether you’ll want to access them during the flight.   

· Smartphone and charger

· Headphones

· Portable power bank

· International adapter(s) for plug-in devices (Japan uses the 100V standard vs. the U.S. 120V standard, though the plugs look similar and many devices will work without issue)

· SIM card(s) to use your smartphone for calling and data while traveling (check with your wireless provider and plan)

· Camera and accessories

· Laptop/tablet/e-reader/other computer devices and associated cords, adapters, and accessories
 

Miscellaneous:

· Stain remover pen

· Wrinkle release spray for clothes

· Portable sewing kit

· Glasses repair kit

· Tissues

· Pens and paper/notebook

· Deck of playing cards

· Spare batteries for electronics

· Sunglasses

· Small umbrella

· Yoga mat and any props you wish to use during your yoga sessions

· Day pack, fanny pack, or cross body bag.

· Hat

· Chargers – to charge my iPhone, Kindle, and camera

· Adapter Universal plug

· Headphones

· 1 backpack – Perfect for toting around your valuables on travel days.

· Water bottle – The tap water in Japan is drinkable.

Travel Items for Plane/Other Transit:

· The flight to Japan from the U.S. is long! Here are some suggestions:

· Earplugs or noise-canceling headphones

· Sleep mask

· Antibacterial wipes and/or hand sanitizer

· Travel/neck pillow

· Sleeping pills or motion sickness pills

· Updated airline apps

· Updated media content on your devices

· Book(s)/magazines/reading material or e-reader and associated cords

Helpful suggestions for travel to Japan:

· Don’t overpack your toiletries – you can always buy more when you arrive.

· Japan has great skin care products.

· Leave room in your suitcase for souvenirs.

· Pack your toiletries in Ziploc bag, 

· 2+ bank cards. As a personal rule I never leave the country with only one bank card. You need a backup in case your card is stolen or eaten by the machine. It’s handy to have one in each of the major payment systems, Visa and MasterCard.

· Photocopy of your passport incase anything happens to the real thing. Leave one photocopy at home and pack one in your luggage.

· iPhone – I recommend downloading the Google Translate app (so helpful for reading Japanese) as well as an offline map app such as Maps.Me

· Rent Pocket Wi-Fi. Free Wi-Fi is not as readily available in Japan as you might expect, so we strongly recommend getting a pocket Wi-Fi device for the duration of your stay. Pocket Wi-Fi is a small, mobile hotspot that allows you to connect to the internet from your laptop, tablet, or smartphone pretty much anywhere in the country.

· It’s best to order one well in advance, and either collect it at the airport or have it sent to your first hotel. Most companies will also give you the option to rent a Japanese mobile phone or SIM card for your existing phone (if it’s unlocked), which can save you from paying exorbitant prices if you need to make local calls.

· Numerous apps can be helpful during your time in Japan, but here are a few to get you started:

· Google Translate: It won’t always give you perfect translations, but it’s useful when trying to negotiate the language barrier.

· Japanese-English dictionary apps: There are plenty to choose from, including Imiwa? and Japanese. A dictionary app can be useful for looking up individual words quickly.

· Hyperdia: This app (and the associated website) enable you to search Japanese train routes and timetables across the country in English. Combined with specific transportation apps for the cities you’re visiting (like a Tokyo subway app), you’ll have no trouble getting around.

· Google Maps: This is invaluable for navigating your way through Japan’s sometimes labyrinthine streets. The general lack of road names can make finding restaurants and bars by address difficult, whereas Google Maps will lead you straight to the door.

· You will hardly find trash cans but take your trash with you.

· Try the delicious foods at convenient stores-its one of a kind to find amazing treats at connivence stores such as Larsons or 711.

· Taxi Doors. Japan is famous for technology and efficiency, so it should come as no surprise that taxi doors open automatically. When you hail a taxi, the driver will pull up, and the rear door will automatically open for you to get in. Once inside, it will close again automatically behind you.

Money:

· Use the Money Tray. In Japan, money is rarely passed directly from hand to hand.

· When you’re purchasing something in a shop, restaurant, or bar, you’ll often notice a small tray next to the cash register. It might be on the counter or attached to the cash register itself. You should place your money or credit/debit card in the tray, instead of handing it to the cashier.

· The cashier will usually place your change in the money tray after completing the transaction. The same system operates when paying for services in places like hotels, cinemas, and onsen.

· Another common practice for exchanging money is to place cash in an envelope, rather than passing it openly, and using both hands to pass it.

. Leaving a tip is a common way to express gratitude in dozens of countries around the world, but such a practice isn’t popular in Japan. In fact, if you leave money on a Japanese restaurant table, there’s every chance a staff member will run after you to return it, thinking it was left by mistake. The Japanese work ethic emphasizes high standards and rather than incentivizing it, excellent service is seen as standard practice.

· The best thing you can do to thank the staff for a great meal is to give them a smile and your best attempt at the phrase "gochisousama deshita" which means, "thank you for the meal, it was a feast."

Eating:

· Never point your chopsticks at another person, wave them in the air, or spear food with them.

· Don’t stick your chopsticks into a bowl of rice, or pass food from chopsticks to chopsticks, as this is reminiscent of funeral rites.

· When serving yourself from a communal dish, use the opposite end of your chopsticks (not the end you put in your mouth) to serve yourself.

· If you can’t use chopsticks don’t worry – you can always ask for a knife and fork.

· Plan Ahead if You Have Dietary Requirements. To prevent misunderstandings, convey what you can and can’t eat specifically (rather than just stating that you are vegan or gluten-free, for example). Give plenty of advance notice when asking a restaurant or ryokan to alter their menu, as it will take time and preparation.

· Learn some key Japanese vocabulary or use google translate.

Other Etiquette:

· Queue with the flow- Never cut the line. Follow the flow and stand in line with everyone else.

· Don’t be late. Japanese are very punctual people and when visiting the country, it’s expected that you’ll follow suit. Everything runs on time!

· Take Off Your Shoes. Before entering homes, ryokan, certain temples, traditional restaurants, and any area with tatami matting, you will need to take off your shoes. It’s advisable to wear shoes that slip on and off easily because you’ll be doing this a lot!

· Some places provide indoor slippers for you to wear, but this won’t always be the case. 

· Generally speaking, it will be obvious when you need to remove your shoes: look for indicators like a lower entrance hall, tatami flooring, slippers laid out on the floor, and shoe storage shelves. If in doubt, just ask.

· Watch Out For Bathroom Slippers. During your travels in Japan, you may notice that certain places, like homes and ryokan, have slippers exclusively for use in the bathroom. When you enter the bathroom, leave your regular slippers outside the door and switch to the bathroom slippers. These should only be worn in the bathroom, so don’t forget to change back when you leave.

· Familiarize Yourself with the Toilet Buttons! Japan is well known for its fancy toilets, which have an array of buttons to control various features. These functions can include small and large flushes, a bidet, a dryer, and an automatic lid opener. Sometimes the controls are labeled in English as well as Japanese, but more often than not, you’ll be left to decipher the pictures and kanji characters yourself. The icons should be reasonably self-explanatory, but if you’re feeling nervous about it, you can search for a sample image online.

· Japanese greetings can be tricky for foreigners. Across the west, hugging is common practice, and across Europe, it’s customary to kiss on the cheek. In Japan, Yoshimi says it’s best to stick with the most common greeting: a bow, especially when meeting elderly people. While there is specific etiquette in regards to angles and amount of times to bow, simply returning the gesture or nodding will be appreciated. As a general rule of thumb, the deeper the bow, the more respectful it is.

· Cover Your Tattoos. In Japan, there is still an association between tattoos and organized crime. As a foreigner, you’re unlikely to be mistaken for a member of the yakuza. However, you might need to cover up your tattoos if you want to use public facilities such as gyms, swimming pools, and onsen (hot spring baths). If your tattoos are too big or awkward to cover, don’t worry. You can always use a private onsen or search online for a tattoo-friendly one. These are becoming more common nowadays, particularly among establishments looking to cater to overseas visitors.

· Be Respectful on Public Transport. Japanese society is known for its emphasis on politeness, and one of the places this is most apparent is the train network. Conductors bow to you, carriages are spotlessly clean, and departures are so punctual you can set your watch by them.

· Don’t talk on your phone on public transport. If you need to make or answer a call on the train, you can do so in the small compartments between carriages.