2026 Japan Zen Exploration

A Cultural and Spiritual Exploration

The art of simple living is a way of life in the Japanese culture. From the bustling cities of Tokyo to Kyoto, you’ll discover a land of sublime art, unsurpassed natural beauty, and fascinating traditions. My unique women’s program provides an immersion in modern Japanese culture, balanced by time in the mountains and forests to experience spiritual practices to soothe the soul. Japan is a culture where Zen practices feature attention to detail in daily living. From the cleanliness of public areas, to the preparation of your meals, to how your bed is made up to insure a restful night’s sleep, you’ll see how calming and remarkably beautiful simplicity in living can be.

Nature’s Autumn Colors to Enhance Our Travels

My 2026 Japan Zen Exploration is specifically offered during the early fall months when Japanese Maple trees begin to turn to fiery-red and temperatures are ideal for comfortable travel. Time in nature is specifically scheduled throughout our travels so we can experience Shinrin Yoku, (Forest Therapy or Bathing) and its calming influence on our psyche. We’ll touch nature with an Ikebana Flower Arranging workshop. We’ll travel to see Mount Fuji – Japan’s highest mountain and an iconic landmark. We’ll enjoy calming experiences in the woods and temples to quiet our hearts and minds during Buddhist meditation practice and prayer rituals.

Explore Japan’s City Life

We’ll begin our Exploration in Tokyo where our group’s private Tour Guide will help us step out into the contemporary, high-tech and busy streets of Tokyo to experience the capital city in several forms. Key districts we’ll visit include trendy Tokyo and shopping areas, as well as the spiritual aspects of ancient Buddhist temples that await our discovery. When we end our program in Kyoto, we’ll also visit unique landmarks and sites

Discover New Traditions

From the traditions of Japanese Ikebana and flower arrangement, enjoy an introductory lesson with ideas to bring back home. We’ll participate in a cooking class for our group. We’ll enjoy a Saori Weaving Workshop to create a scarf. Our program also includes a traditional tea ceremony experience. Ready to learn the art of kimono dressing? This too is part of our program to introduce classic approaches to Japanese life through the ages.

Relax at Unique Hotels

The hotels selected for our journey in four areas of Japan, are an incredibly diverse selection ranging from sleek, cosmopolitan comfort, to one-of-a-kind Japanese style accommodations at a temple! Each are unique and provide an opportunity for restful sleep and a new experience, whether you’re looking out your window to downtown Tokyo, having your first night at a Shukubo (temple) sleeping on a tatami futon mat on the ryokan’s floor, wandering through the hotel’s Japanese gardens, or relaxing in the natural hot springs.

Meditation to Enhance Well Being

It’s difficult to express how truly unique our Exploration will be with the special access we’ve been granted to stay near a monastery in Mt Koya to experience monastic living, meditation, and temples. This is truly the chance of a lifetime where we will quiet our minds and bodies during meditation classes guided by local monks. Whether you have a daily meditation practice already, or you’ve never tried it, you will have an authentic, guided experience to remember forever.

My 2026 Japan Zen Exploration will be a travel journey like no other!
I can’t wait to share this extraordinary experience with those lucky travelers who say “yes” and register right away!

Cheers to extraordinary global adventures ahead together!

—Marty