sakura zen retreat: experiencing cherry blossom season in kyoto, japan
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is NOT a yoga retreat. It is an immersion in the Japanese culture, a taste of Zen Buddhism, Meditation and sightseeing. The retreat itinerary is well thought out, including 25 of the most amazing and interesting historic and modern places in Kyoto and surroundings, whilst offering time and space to relax, shop or enjoy solitude as you wish. The hotel does not have a suitable space for us to practice yoga and practicing in public gardens is strictly forbidden in Japan.
Kyoto Retreat: In a Nutshell
The Sakura Zen Retreat in Kyoto is a meticulously curated six-day immersion designed to align with the peak of cherry blossom season. Led personally by Taryn Weggelaar and Yann Cadic, the experience balances “Science Meets Spirituality” through exclusive daily Zen Buddhist meditations and ceremonies guided by monks, alongside private kimono tea ceremonies. Guests stay in luxury accommodations with five-star amenities and unlimited onsen access, serving as a peaceful base for exploring over 30 hand-selected hotspots, including iconic temples, shrines, and serene bamboo groves. By handling all logistics—from domestic transportation to entrance fees—Loka Yoga provides a seamless, secure journey into the heart of Japanese culture, fostering deep personal growth within a supportive community.
Japan Retreat Gallery
What is Included
Exclusive Retreat Pack
- We will teach you the most popular, loved and effective techniques to cleanse your body with traditional yogic practices and nutrition
- Answer all those questions that have accumulated while practicing on your mat
- Increase your physical strength and flexibility through asana
- Improving your postural alignment and technique in each pose – the foundation of safety in yoga
- Hands on adjustments so you finally learn exactly how the pose should feel and what your amazing body is capable of
- Reset your habits and learn the most effective and safe way to practice and teach
- Learn how different bodies adopt these asanas and see all the variations of each pose
Luxury traditional Japanese Ryokan accommodation in the grounds of a Zen Buddhist Temple
At Loka Yoga School, we offer an enriching yoga teacher training in Bali. This is an experience that combine sjsjsj training in Bali. This is an experience that combinesAt Loka Yoga School, we offer an enriching yoga teacher training in Bali. This is an experience that combine sjsjsj training in Bali. This is an experience that combines
Exclusive daily Zen Buddhist ceremony and meditation with monks
Private Kimono Tea ceremony
Entrance tickets to all temples, shrines, gardens and places of interest included on the itinerary
Transportation to all attractions
ICOCA card
More Inclusions
Unlimited access to online public baths/ onsen
At Loka Yoga School, we offer an enriching yoga teacher training in Bali. This is an experience that combine sjsjsj training in Bali. This is an experience that combinesAt Loka Yoga School, we offer an enriching yoga teacher training in Bali. This is an experience that combine sjsjsj training in Bali. This is an experience that combines
All amenities and access to all onsite facilities within the Ryokan
At Loka Yoga School, we offer an enriching yoga teacher training in Bali. This is an experience that combine sjsjsj training in Bali. This is an experience that combinesAt Loka Yoga School, we offer an enriching yoga teacher training in Bali. This is an experience that combine sjsjsj training in Bali. This is an experience that combines
Personal guidance and support, led by Taryn and Yann
Life changing teachings on Zen Buddhism
In-depth Japanese education
Understanding of the authentic Japanese and Zen ways; live, breathe and feel the teachings in the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’
An epic experience with a beautiful group of like-minded souls from all around the world!
Accommodation
We are blessed to have received an incredible rate at the luxury Ryokan booked in Kyoto and are passing this on to our retreaters! Usually during Sakura season in Japan, accommodation is double or triple the cost. Due to our retreat reconnaissance, meeting the manager and developing a relationship, they have agreed to offering a group booking price. This is why we can offer this entire retreat for only $2500pp including accommodation and all activities and transport on retreat! ❤
Meet your Instructors + Guides
Taryn Weggelaar
Taryn Weggelaar is an E-RYT 500 lead trainer with over 10,000 hours of international teaching experience, specializing in creative, progressive sequencing that bridges the gap between physical mastery and deep spiritual philosophy.
Yann Cadic
Yann Cadic is an anatomy and physiology expert with an elite medical background in cardiac surgery and emergency paramedicine, dedicated to empowering yoga teachers with a scientific, life-saving understanding of the human body.
Why Loka Yoga Retreats?
Our approach seamlessly blends Eastern knowledge and wisdom with Western science and research, ensuring a safe, holistic and transformative experience.
We (Taryn and Yann) are a truly dedicated team of practitioners, deeply committed to our daily practice and fields of expertise. We have devoted our lives to self-practice and development and extensively traveled and lived in Bali, India and Japan.
This allows us to guide you on an epic adventure in each destination. We have personally ran multiple retreats in each location, stayed in the accommodations, experienced all activities and tours we have included on the itinerary and we have trusted friends and business connections in each of the locations who will offer the most incredible, local insight and ‘off the beaten track’ experience as well.
Hear it Directly from Previous Retreaters
With over 30 years teaching, we truly believe you will love your experience with us. But don’t take our word for it, click here to hear directly from our students through video and written testimonials!
“This experience completely transformed my life...”
Written Testimonials
Egle Holdhaus
It was another fantastic time, this time in Japan with old friends and Loka Yoga School. I have done their 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training AND their India Retreat, before joining them in Japan! I can wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone. Taryn and Yann did a wonderful job and showed us so much. Trying it yourself feels the best.
Chris Benetti (Australia)
Where do I begin with Loka Yoga and Taryn…I had such an amazing experience with this lovely lady. I joined her yoga retreat in India (not being super familiar with yoga… yikes) At first I had no idea what to expect, so I keep an open mind and just focused on the journey itself and my experience was surreal.
Taryn went over, above and beyond every single minute of every single day to ensure that all of us had the best time possible, were well looked after and got the most out of our retreat experience.
Every day I felt like I was looked after and loved. And every day I couldn’t help but feel grateful that Taryn was able to take me on such a lovely journey in India.
I was able to meet new life-long friends, not only with other retreat participants but also Taryn’s friends in India!
I experienced absolutely incredible new food, crazy fun activities such as; white water rafting, an epic cooking class and the Beatles Ashram, the beautiful India culture from their devotion to their beliefs to their over the top need to make you feel looked after, new sights that one can only dream of, crazy and cheeky animals like monkeys, cows, goats, sheep and even chipmunks (OMG) and also; AMAZING shopping haha!
So simply put… Taryn and Loka Yoga should be (and will be for me again!) your first stop if you’re looking to go on a retreat. And especially if you are traveling India for the first, or fifth time. Taryn is a beautiful soul and will serve you to her highest ability!
I’ll be attending another one of her retreats as soon as possible.
Anne Henderson (Australia)
Where do I begin with Loka Yoga and Taryn…I had such an amazing experience with this lovely lady. I joined her yoga retreat in India (not being super familiar with yoga… yikes) At first I had no idea what to expect, so I keep an open mind and just focused on the journey itself and my experience was surreal.
Taryn went over, above and beyond every single minute of every single day to ensure that all of us had the best time possible, were well looked after and got the most out of our retreat experience.
Every day I felt like I was looked after and loved. And every day I couldn’t help but feel grateful that Taryn was able to take me on such a lovely journey in India.
I was able to meet new life-long friends, not only with other retreat participants but also Taryn’s friends in India!
I experienced absolutely incredible new food, crazy fun activities such as; white water rafting, an epic cooking class and the Beatles Ashram, the beautiful India culture from their devotion to their beliefs to their over the top need to make you feel looked after, new sights that one can only dream of, crazy and cheeky animals like monkeys, cows, goats, sheep and even chipmunks (OMG) and also; AMAZING shopping haha!
So simply put… Taryn and Loka Yoga should be (and will be for me again!) your first stop if you’re looking to go on a retreat. And especially if you are traveling India for the first, or fifth time. Taryn is a beautiful soul and will serve you to her highest ability!
I’ll be attending another one of her retreats as soon as possible.
Karen Nichols (Australia)
Where do I begin with Loka Yoga and Taryn…I had such an amazing experience with this lovely lady. I joined her yoga retreat in India (not being super familiar with yoga… yikes) At first I had no idea what to expect, so I keep an open mind and just focused on the journey itself and my experience was surreal.
Taryn went over, above and beyond every single minute of every single day to ensure that all of us had the best time possible, were well looked after and got the most out of our retreat experience.
Every day I felt like I was looked after and loved. And every day I couldn’t help but feel grateful that Taryn was able to take me on such a lovely journey in India.
I was able to meet new life-long friends, not only with other retreat participants but also Taryn’s friends in India!
I experienced absolutely incredible new food, crazy fun activities such as; white water rafting, an epic cooking class and the Beatles Ashram, the beautiful India culture from their devotion to their beliefs to their over the top need to make you feel looked after, new sights that one can only dream of, crazy and cheeky animals like monkeys, cows, goats, sheep and even chipmunks (OMG) and also; AMAZING shopping haha!
So simply put… Taryn and Loka Yoga should be (and will be for me again!) your first stop if you’re looking to go on a retreat. And especially if you are traveling India for the first, or fifth time. Taryn is a beautiful soul and will serve you to her highest ability!
I’ll be attending another one of her retreats as soon as possible.
Dates & Important Note
This is NOT a yoga retreat. It is an immersion in the Japanese culture, a taste of Zen Buddhism, Meditation and sightseeing. The retreat itinerary is well thought out, including 25 of the most amazing and interesting historic and modern places in Kyoto and surroundings, whilst offering time and space to relax, shop or enjoy solitude as you wish. The hotel does not have a suitable space for us to practice yoga and practicing in public gardens is strictly forbidden in Japan.
MARCH 28 - APRIL 2
ONLY ONE ROOM LEFT!
APRIL 2 - 8 (SOLD OUT)
ONLY ONE ROOM LEFT!
Other Information
refund policy
All applicants are advised to carefully consider the time and resources required for the course before forwarding the application for our retreats. Upon registering, a non-refundable payment is due to secure your place. Prepayment is required to confirm all bookings with the hotels and suppliers in India and they have a strict no-refund policy. Please note we cannot offer refund or give credit for any missed classes, activities or excursions within a retreat. Participants are required to take full responsibility for their own health. Loka Yoga School are not responsible for any health concerns and cannot give medical advice to participants. All participants must be in perfect physical health and completely independent. Loka Yoga School are not responsible for missed classes whether it be health related due to sickness or accidents, or any other reason. Cancellation requests must be submitted by email, from the person who is registered to attend the retreat.
Cancellation of the Retreat
In case of a cancellation performed by Loka Yoga School, without opportunity of a reschedule, due to any unavoidable circumstances, tuition fees or booking amount will be refunded to the student. Alternatively, in the event of rescheduled dates, the student will be able to register for a future scheduled training. It does not apply to cancellations done due to misconduct or unlawful activity performed by a student during a course. We hold all rights to refuse or cancel admission without explanation in case of a serious misconduct, violation of the Yamas or Niyamas, code of conduct, or unlawful activity by any student on or off the premises of the course location.
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