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Announcement
This retreat will be rescheduled to November/December this year. More details will be updated on this page.
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Yakushima Island, 薬島
Yakushima Island was known in ancient times as “Medicine Island” (“薬島”) due to the richness of medicinal plants naturally growing on the island, with ‘gajutsu’, a variety of highly medicinal turmeric, being the most renowned. Yakushima was also where the first scientific study on forest bathing and the healing effects of the forest was held. It is awarded UNESCO status for clear reasons - its ancient Cedar trees, rich biodiversity, mossy forests and majestic waterfalls are sure to provide rich opportunities for a deep re-connection with the natural way of life.
Experience Highlights
this is for you if you...
♢ are curious how forest therapy can improve your health
♢ are keen to discover the origins of Shinrin-Yoku in Japan
♢ are looking for an immersive experience in nature
♢ want to be inspired by the Japanese's respect for nature
♢ are looking for a practice to regulate your mood, nerves & stress
♢ are open to be taught by nature and its hidden wisdom
♢ wish to take a tranquil time away from the city
♢ would like to experience awe, wonder and curiosity
all is welcome.
this retreat supports inclusivity, non-discrimination and love for all.
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day 1
arrivals, check-in
greeting the land
day 2
shiratani unsui forest experience
shinrin-yoku (forest bathing)
afternoon trek
healing onsen
day 3
ohko waterfall experience
unesco forest road
talk: power of awe by Dr. Tomohiko Sugishita
day 4
wholeness and holistic health
reflective time in the forest
[intentional space - free time]
closing story circle
day 5
check out
departures
Program
program is subjected to change depending on weather and other factors.

When we realize our relatedness with nature, we begin to understand that we are not simply an “I.” We are also tree and hawk and river and mountain. We are grass and stone and butterfly and wind. And we are also ourselves, a special piece of this whole puzzle, a unique aspect of this reality that the Earth has dreamed into being.
- Association of Nature & Forest Therapy
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“It is not a retreat, but a homecoming.”
- M, participant of gentle retreat
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Rooms
Shared Cottage (2 - 3 pax)
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Private Cabin (solo or pair)
Facilities
WiFi, hot showers, aircon (both hot & cold), fan, amenities (towels, water, kettle +).
Food
Food will be provided by the hotel’s restaurant and local partners. Special dietary requirements must be checked for availability in advance. Vegan option is unfortunately unavailable.
Service
Expect a down-to-earth and family-style experience as most businesses on the island are family-run.
Weather
The temperature in May will range around 17 - 24 °C, with some occurence of rain.

An Inspiration for Studio Ghibli
The Shiratani Unsui Gorge on Yakushima Island was the main source of inspiration for director and animator Hayao Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke film. The story depicts the complex relationship between humans, nature and its wild inhabitants, sparking a deep reflection on the exploitative nature of human activities. The movie reminds us of the magic in the hidden world of nature and all the invisible forces that regenerate life. The forest reconnects us to our imagination and awakens our childlike wonder to consider what is possible in this limitless world.

The purpose of retreats
The purpose of traveling to a faraway place, is to find the way home to ourselves.
Reality is shaped by what we surround ourselves with. It’s easy to get caught in the rhythm of daily routines, filling every moment with work, responsibilities, and distractions. But when we step away—when we give ourselves space—something shifts. Retreats offer that pause, a chance to step beyond the familiar and awaken to the vastness of life beyond our bubble of beliefs.
At Gentle Retreat, we create space for soft encounters—with joy, with fear, and with the truths that quietly rest within us. Both light and shadow have wisdom to offer, guiding us toward deeper understanding and a more Whole self. Our retreats are intentionally spacious, slow, and deeply nourishing—designed to replenish you and reconnect you to what truly matters.
Take a breath, step outside and rediscover yourself in the stillness.
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Hear from Past Participants
Cost
This contribution will support
⸙ the quality of food and hospitality
⸙ the meticulous curation of an authentic and connected experience
⸙ the livelihood of local partners and providers
⸙ gentle walks in sustaining itself as a regenerative and purposeful business
Inclusions
⸙ Lodging for 4 nights
⸙ Meals (from check-in to check-out)
⸙ Group transfers from & to airport
⸙ Land Transportation
⸙ Program and entry fees
Exclusions
x Flight cost and booking
x Travel insurance
x Travel arrangements deviating from the group
x Personal purchases
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Sign Up
Registration paused.
Registration will reopen after new dates are confirmed.
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FAQ
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You are recommended to fly from Singapore to either Osaka or Fukuoka and take a local airline to Yakushima. Exact flight recommendations are available at the end of this page.
Due to the transit, we recommend to plan for buffer before and after the retreat in case of any flight interruptions. Do take it slow after the retreat for a softer landing back to the city. You may also choose to extend your stay in Yakushima or Japan on individual arrangements.
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Apart from recommending flight timings, we are unable to provide further support on flight arrangements.
Individuals who are used to travelling free-and-easy should find it relatively manageable to transit independently in the international airports.
Should you meet with any flight interruptions, our local partners can support you to ensure you get on the island.
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As most hotels in Yakushima are family-run, expect a down-to-earth experience in Japanese style cottages with a view of both the mountain and coastline.
Living in close vicinity with nature may mean encounters with some insects, but most of them are harmless. The techniques of forest bathing will also expand our ability to co-exist with these beings.
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The program is curated with adults in mind, as it offers a deep appreciation of forest bathing philosophies and the wisdom of nature. We recommend participants to be at least 21 years and above.
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The nature of the activities is slow paced and gentle, but may require full mobility in order to sit on the ground, take long walks and navigate trails.
You have the autonomy to sit out of some programs, and easier options for trekking will also be offered to cater to individuals with different fitness levels.
For individuals with clinical psychological conditions, we recommend consulting with your psychologist or therapist on your suitability and come equipped with your measures for emotional first aid. -
You are invited to check in on your readiness and willingness to meet with your fears. The forest bathing practice offers a brave space for gentle encountering, relaxing your nervous system for a friendlier meeting with the common fears like darkness, insects, or being alone.
The method has effectively supported the experience of previous retreat participants, and we are enriched by an expanded capacity to experience more of life's richness. However, if you have clinical conditions like extreme phobia or OCD, you are encouraged to consult with your physician.
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Forest bathing is an open practice conducted in a secular manner with the intent to deepen our relationship with nature. Participants are free to draw their own meaning according to their personal faith and beliefs and has full autonomy over their own interpretation.
As part of the cultural experience, we will be exposed to the Japanese practice of Shintoism which believes in a harmonious co-existence and respect for nature. There is no obligation to observe the practices if it is against one’s beliefs.
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Yakushima is generally a rainy island and we are visiting at the early onset of the rainy season.
We typically welcome rain as a friend as it brings about unique encounters (like mists!) and teaches us about our discomforts.
All activities will continue under safe conditions, flowing with the elements. If the program cannot proceed, it will be converted into free time for personal activity.
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Yes, you can mention your request during sign up and it will be subject to availability. Cost of additional nights will be added to the total fees.
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Not to worry, we do not retain any devices during the retreat. We respect individual autonomy on how they would like to stay connected or disconnected.
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Your Guides
Jovena
⸙ Founder of Gentle Walks
⸙ ANFT Certified Guide
⸙ Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy & Counselling
Jovena founded Gentle Walks in 2021 with the mission of creating a gentler world on earth by connecting humans with nature. She found the practice by chance while looking for ways to relieve her anxiety and stress. After experiencing significant paradigm shifts on her first experience, she was moved to learn more deeply about the practice with ANFT.
Her journey as a forest therapy guide opened her heart up to the wonders, joy and hope in the world and gave her purpose and meaning. Having experienced immense benefits in her mental and physical health, she now advocates for the forest through guiding walks and retreats, holding safe spaces for others to rest and discover themselves.
The practice also created more curiosity for her to look deeper into ancient knowledge and roots, and discovering the source of forest bathing in its birthplace of Japan has been a longing to be fulfilled. She looks forward to sharing the experience with those who hear the same calling from the land of Yakushima.
Makiko
⸙ Founder of KaleidoForest Co. Ltd.
⸙ ANFT Certified Guide & Trainer
⸙ M.A. in Public Health (International Health). Johns Hopkins University, USA
⸙ M.A. in Economic and Social Development, University of Pittsburgh, USA
Makiko is a forest therapy guide based in Yakushima, certified by both ANFT and Japan Forest Therapy Society.
Before moving to Yakushima in March 2020, she spent two decades addressing health inequalities in vulnerable populations of Africa and Southeast Asia as an expert of JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) and various UN organizations.
She has since shifted her focus from human health to a more comprehensive aim of planetary health, devoting her work and life to helping others restore their relationship with nature through KaleidoForest. She has also become a certified ANFT trainer and teaches with ANFT at a global level.
She looks forward to sharing the healing touch of Yakushima in some of her favourite trails in the forests on the island.
you deserve rest, and the world deserves a rested you.
- gentle walks
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Flight Suggestions
Participants are to arrange their air tickets independently.
Airport transfers are provided for the group on 27 May at 2pm at Yakushima Airport. Any participants deviating from the pickup timing will require a separate taxi at an additional cost.
Similarly, for departure, group transfer will depart from the hotel at around 11am for Yakushima airport. Participants heading to other areas or leaving at a different time shall arrange their transportation at their own cost.
Search flight timings on Google Flight
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