KYOTO, Japan | Between Stillness & Discovery | October 16-22, 2027
An autumn yoga and cultural retreat
with Vivian and Nancy
Imagine beginning your morning with yoga, then stepping into the streets of Kyoto to discover a city where history, artistry, and everyday life meet. Later, you return to your mat, share a beautiful meal, and have time to take in all you’ve experienced.
Together, we’ll spend six nights discovering Kyoto and its surrounding countryside through daily practice, meaningful cultural experiences, seasonal meals, and time to rest and connect.
Our days will offer a balance of being out in the world and returning inward—walking through historic neighborhoods, learning from local traditions, and making space to simply be present.
Why Kyoto?
Kyoto invites you to look a little closer. Wooden townhouses line narrow streets, temples and gardens offer places to pause, and generations of craftsmanship live on in the city’s textiles, food, and architecture.
We chose Kyoto for the way it brings together culture, nature, and thoughtful hospitality. From the lively stalls of Nishiki Market to the wooded paths of Fushimi Inari and the thatched-roof homes of Miyama, each day offers a different way to experience Japan.
October welcomes us into the changing season—a fitting time to slow down, reflect, and discover something new.
Our Home: Dhawa Yura Kyoto
For six nights, we’ll stay at Dhawa Yura Kyoto, a boutique hotel by the hospitality group behind Banyan Tree Higashiyama.
Located in the Sanjo area near the Kamo River, the hotel is within walking distance of Gion, Pontocho, and Nishiki Market. It offers a wonderful home base for discovering the city, with a comfortable place to return to between outings.
The hotel’s contemporary interiors include Japanese-inspired details and tatami seating areas in the guest rooms—a welcoming setting to settle in and feel at home.
Yoga, Stillness & Connection
Our practice will be the thread that connects our days. Nancy and Vivian will guide yoga, breathwork, meditation, restorative practices, Yoga Nidra, and sound.
Morning practice will help us feel grounded and ready for the day ahead. Evening sessions will offer time to soften, reflect, and reconnect after our outings.
We’ll generally offer two practices each day, with timing and length adjusted for excursions. You’re always welcome to participate at your own pace.
What We’ll Discover Together
Gion & Kimono Dressing
We’ll walk through Gion’s public streets, taking in the traditional architecture and atmosphere of one of Kyoto’s most historic districts.
During a kimono dressing experience, we’ll appreciate the beauty of Japanese textiles and the care involved in wearing traditional clothing. We’ll also have time to browse and enjoy the neighborhood together.
Nishiki Market
Known as Kyoto’s kitchen, Nishiki Market offers a way to experience the city through its food. We’ll wander among stalls filled with regional ingredients, pickles, sweets, and seasonal specialties, with time to discover new flavors along the way.
Arashiyama
An early departure brings us to Arashiyama, where bamboo groves, gardens, the river, and surrounding mountains offer a different perspective on Kyoto.
We’ll venture beyond the busiest areas into quieter lanes and corners of the neighborhood, followed by an included lunch (at a Michellin star restaurant) overlooking the river. It’s a chance to sit together, enjoy the scenery, and savor the afternoon.
Fushimi Inari
We’ll walk beneath the vermilion torii gates of Fushimi Inari and follow the wooded paths up Mount Inari. As we ascend, you’re invited to find your own pace, connect with your breath, and reflect on what you would like to carry forward.
The full summit walk takes approximately 2½–3 hours round trip, including pauses, and involves a steady ascent with many stone steps. If you prefer a shorter walk, you’re welcome to turn around earlier and enjoy the shrine at your own pace.
Miyama Village & Mochitsuki
Our journey takes us beyond the city to Miyama, a rural area surrounded by mountains, forests, and fields. In Kayabuki no Sato, we’ll visit a living village known for its traditional thatched-roof farmhouses.
We’ll learn about kayabuki, the craft of creating and maintaining these thick thatched roofs, and the care and community effort involved in preserving them.
We’ll also take part in a mochitsuki experience: the traditional practice of pounding steamed rice into soft, chewy mochi. It’s a chance to work together, learn through experience, and enjoy what we’ve made.
Zazen at a Zen Temple
We’ll visit a Zen Buddhist temple for an introduction to zazen, or seated meditation. With guidance from the temple, we’ll learn about the practice and make time to sit with awareness.
This experience brings the heart of our retreat to life: discovering a tradition rooted in Kyoto while creating space for stillness within ourselves. No meditation experience is necessary.
Tea Ceremony
During a traditional tea ceremony, we’ll experience the attention given to preparing, offering, and receiving tea. It’s an invitation to slow down and appreciate the beauty of an unhurried moment.
Yuzen Dyeing
We’ll be introduced to Kyoto Yuzen, a Japanese dyeing tradition known for its expressive colors and patterns. You’ll have an opportunity to try it yourself and create a piece to take home as a reminder of our time in Japan.
Time to Discover on Your Own
One full day is yours to spend as you wish. Linger over coffee, visit a gallery, return to a favorite neighborhood, or enjoy a quiet afternoon.
For those interested in vintage shopping, we’ll share a list of suggested places to browse. We’ll gather again for evening practice and dinner.
A Closing Afternoon at Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto
On our final full day, we’ll make our way to Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto for an afternoon devoted to rest, relaxation, and celebration.
We’ll begin with afternoon tea, followed by an onsen experience—time to slow down and take in all we’ve shared during the week.
That evening, we’ll gather for a kaiseki closing dinner at the hotel. Kaiseki is a multi-course Japanese dining tradition that celebrates seasonal ingredients and thoughtful presentation. It will be a beautiful way to enjoy our final evening together.
After dinner, we’ll return to Dhawa Yura for a closing circle and sound bath.
Accommodations & Investment
Queen room, solo | $4990
Comfortable, compact and beautiful with rain shower, a robe, espresso machine, tea, in-room safe, tatami floor seating.
Queen room, shared bed | $3990 per guest
Twin room, two separate beds | $4190 per guest
East meets west design, comfortable and beautiful with 2 separate twin beds, rain shower, a robe, espresso machine, tea, in-room safe, tatami floor seating.
What’s Included
Six nights at Dhawa Yura Kyoto in your selected room category.
Yoga
All breakfasts and dinners, including our welcome dinner and kaiseki closing dinner.
Two lunches, including lunch overlooking the river in Arashiyama.
Planned visits to Gion, Nishiki Market, Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari, and Miyama village.
Kimono dressing and a traditional tea ceremony.
A guided zazen experience at a Zen Buddhist temple.
An introduction to Miyama’s thatched-roof tradition and a mochitsuki experience.
Yuzen dyeing
Afternoon tea and an onsen experience at Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto.
Local transportation for scheduled group excursions.
One scheduled group airport pickup and one scheduled group airport drop-off.
One independent day, with recommendations for shopping, cafés, and places to visit.
What’s Not Included
Airfare.
Airport transportation outside the scheduled group transfers.
Lunches beyond the two included lunches.
Personal snacks and additional food or beverages outside the included meals.
Extra toiletries and personal purchases.
Shopping and optional activities during free time.
Additional spa treatments or services not listed as included.
Travel Details
Recommended airport: Kansai International Airport, Osaka (KIX).
One group pickup and one group drop-off are included:
October 16: Airport pickup at 6 p.m.
October 22: Airport drop-off at approximately 3 p.m.
*We will send an update 3 months before departure.
If you arrive outside the scheduled pickup time, you’re welcome to arrange your own transportation to the hotel.
Visiting With Care
Part of discovering a place is learning how to be a thoughtful guest. During our time together, we’ll be mindful of the people who live and work in the communities we visit.
Keep voices soft in residential streets, temples, and shrines.
Follow signs for private lanes and photography restrictions.
Ask before photographing people; never stop or follow geiko or maiko.
At Nishiki Market, enjoy food in designated eating areas rather than while walking.
Remove shoes where requested and follow guidance at each cultural site.
Avoid placing chopsticks upright in rice or passing food directly between chopsticks.
Wash thoroughly before entering an onsen and follow the facility’s bathing and tattoo policies.
In Miyama, respect private property and remember that the village is home to residents.
Carry litter until you find an appropriate place to dispose of it.
We’ll share more practical guidance before departure.
Reserve Your Place
A $750 deposit secures your place. Please reserve by December 15, 2026.
A payment plan is available, with remaining installments due:
January 15, 2027
June 15, 2027
August 15, 2027
Paying in full:
February 15, 2027
About the leaders
Six retreats together, countless shared experiences, and a passion for bringing people together through yoga, travel, and meaningful connection. Their shared love of exploring new cultures, mindful movement, and creating intentional experiences has taken them around the world.
Together, they bring complementary teaching styles, warmth, curiosity, and a thoughtful balance of adventure and stillness. Join them for their sixth retreat together—an invitation to discover the beauty of Kyoto, deepen your practice, and create memories that stay with you long after the journey ends.
Nancy Lea – 500 hr E-RYT Yoga Instructor & Retreat Leader // Nancy is a seasoned yoga teacher with over two decades of practice and 15 years of teaching experience. Based in Seattle, she is known for her compassionate and insightful instruction. Nancy's classes are grounded in the eight-limbed path of yoga, seamlessly blending asana, pranayama, meditation, and philosophical teachings to create a well-rounded practice.
Vivian Duelli – Founder & Owner, 300 hr E-CYT of DRIFT Yoga + Juice Bar // Vivian is the visionary behind DRIFT Yoga + Juice Bar, an independent studio located in Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood. With a background in fashion and a deep passion for wellness, Vivian has cultivated a space that emphasizes mindfulness, community, and sustainability. Her teaching approach is rooted in fascia-based movement, integrating deep tissue understanding with mindful practices to promote holistic well-being.
We would love to share this journey with you—to practice together, discover Kyoto with curiosity, and make space for the moments that stay with us long after we return home.
Curated with love by DRIFT Yoga + Juice Bar, Seattle — known for soulful, design-driven retreats blending yoga, culture, and connection around the world.
Co-led by Nancy Lea Yoga and Vivian Duelli, DRIFT founder and retreat curator.
Please review our Terms & Conditions for attending one of our retreats.
Traveling alone? We will match you with someone that fits your interests. *Please review Terms and Conditions if we are unable to find you a roommate (your cost will be as a solo traveler.)
Have more inquiries? Please email us here.
Ready to reserve? Book here