Ryunohara Retreats
Make time for yourself to rediscover what it means to be one with nature, to create with your hands, and to care for all that is around us.
All-inclusive retreats in Ryujinmura, the Dragon God Village of Wakayama, Japan.
Your host, Lee Xian Jie (XJ)
Lee was a nature and history guide in Kyoto before moving to Ryujinmura in 2021 in the middle of the global pandemic to begin a new life in the Kii Peninsula, known for centuries as the island of the mainland for its inaccessibility and isolation.
I started Ryunohara as a playground of ideas.
I had wondered if it was possible to make good tea with just the sun, wind, and tea plants? Was it possible to get rice to grow the old way, before fertilisers packed in millions of tiny plastic pellets were invented, before herbicides and pesticides flooded the plains, poisoning the frogs and bees? Was it possible to not just bear living in centuries-old Japanese farmhouses—famous for their darkness and coldness, but to love living in them?
Four years later I am happy to say that the tentative answer to all of the above is yes, and on Ryunohara Retreats I will share what we at Ryunohara (for now it is not just me but team of us here) have found with you.
Shindofuji. This is what Ryunohara is about.
The Body and the Soil Are Not Two.
What the Retreats Are About
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Living with the Land
The beauty of living in a traditional farmhouse is that you are indoors and outdoors all at the same time. The ancients designed houses to protect, to breathe, to absorb, to release, everything all at once. The world at large is no different. Learn about the complex web connecting the land, flora and fauna, our human traditions, politics, and economics.
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Moving Your Body
The rugged terrain of the Kii Peninsula is a haven for lovers of the outdoors. Immerse yourself in the crystal clear waters of our many waterfalls, pristine rivers, and enjoy the blessings that abundant nature provides. Swim, paddle board, barbecue under the stars, and get your body going.
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Rediscover the Act of Creation
The act of creation is not one of just creativity but also of determination, perseverance despite the odds, and the willingness to try and try again. Witness the lives of creators who are dedicating their lives to the preservation of traditional arts and crafts while forging ahead with their own creations. Put your hands and mind to work.
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Having Fun Eating Mindfully
So much of what is popular today is made to overload our tastebuds, and at the same time over-extract from the soil. Learn to be kind to your body and to the Earth with old Chinese and Japanese food concepts like the Five Colour Theory, Shindofuji, natural farming, and 30-Ingredients-A-Day.
Seasonal Highlights
Tradition Meets Comfort
Stay at Ryunohara Hatago. A 120-year-old farmhouse restored without pretence. Real wood and natural persimmon extract stains are in, plywood and veneers are definitely out.
Sleep like a baby in 1 of 4 plush beds in 2 rooms. Toto’s top-of-the-line NeoRest toilet will happily greet you with an LED light and spray display when you open the door (not pictured below, come see for yourself). Rise to the calls of rare chickens.
Guests will share a common kitchen, indoors bathroom, outdoors bath with onsen water, and toilet.
More Room for Everyone
If you have lots of friends or family, our Retreats can take up to 4 more participants for a total of 8. This expanded version of our Retreats is bookable with a minimum of 6 participants. The 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th guests will be housed at our second guesthouse, Doratei.
Doratei is nestled in a quiet, forested grove away from the traffic, and is hugged by the Hidakawaga River. There are 4 single beds, 2 in 2 bedrooms. Like Ryunohara Hatago, Doratei is equipped with a full kitchen and automatic bath.
Eat Well
What we serve you depends on what’s the freshest and tastiest in the season you’re here for, so our menu changes daily and it’s next to impossible to say what we’ll serve you in the vintage lacquerware that we saved from a local shrine.
But what is for sure is that you’ll be served things like our homegrown heirloom variety of rice, eggs from our frontyard chickens, herbs and berries foraged from the forest around us, log-grown shiitake mushrooms, among other local produce.
What’s definitely not on the table: sauces or hot pot premixes that come in a retort pack, store-bought chicken bouillon, or other instant flavours.
Where We Are
Ryujinmura has mythical origins. The village is named after the Dragon God, who appeared to the great monk Kukai 1,300 years ago to reveal the whereabouts of silky-smooth but crystal-clear and completely odourless hot spring water.
We are deep in the mountains of the Kii Peninsula, marketed today by government agencies as “Japan’s spiritual heartlands”. Centuries of isolation (the road leading here was completed only in the 1980s) resulted in pockets of well-preserved traditions not found anywhere else on the Japanese archipelago. You’ll explore parts of Japan few travellers ever see, meet people you’d never meet without introductions from a local, and taste the goodness of countryside living.
Meet up with the other participants on Day 1 at Kii-Tanabe Station, and you’ll be shuttled here over the course of an hour over windy mountain roads in a roomy 8-seater Toyota Voxy or a sturdy 5-seater Nissan Xtrail. You’ll be driven back down on the last day. We recommend flying through Kansai International Airport, a 2-hour train ride away from Kii-Tanabe Station.
Reviews
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Ryunohara is more than just a retreat; it’s a gateway to discovering the profound beauty and rich heritage of Japan. From farming to gastronomy and local economics to its creative pool of talents; there is just so much to offer and for us to learn. This retreat is truly a must-visit for anyone seeking a genuine connection with Japan’s natural and cultural wonders.
Fang, Malaysia
Booked with friends -
If beautifully renovated Hatagos, delicious home cooked food, exploring mountainous countryside, waterfalls, black sesame ice cream, onsens, traditional crafts, rope bridges, rice, tea, goats, chickens and ducks are your thing... then this is the place for you! As a female solo traveller, I could not have felt safer. The host, staff, volunteers, and fellow guests were incredibly friendly and welcoming.
Tamarra, United Kingdom
Solo traveller -
If I can describe my experience at the retreat with one word, it would be *soul nourishing*. The trip turned out to be one of the best decisions I made all year, and one of those trips that would be baked into my core memory for a long time. While the days were packed, everything was so meticulously curated. No better therapy than this, if you are looking for a soul-nourishing break in nature, look no further.
Sarah, Singapore
Solo traveller
Pricing
1 spot
JPY 280,000
2 spots - 5% discount
JPY 266,000/spot
Enter TWO at checkout to get 5% off.
3 spots - 10% discount
JPY 252,000/spot
Enter THREE at checkout to get 10% off.
4 spots - 20% discount
JPY 224,000/spot
Enter FOUR at checkout to get 20% off.
6-8 spots - 25% discount
JPY 210,000/spot
Contact us at hello@crafttabby.com to book
2025 Calendar
Peak seasons of Spring & Autumn: 4 Days, 3 Nights (4D3N)
Off-peak seasons of Summer & Winter: 5 Days, 4 Nights (5D4N)
Please note: We close registration for unbooked Retreats 3 months before they begin, to give us time to prepare everything with care. If you’re planning ahead, we recommend booking early.
Spring (4D3N)
Season’s over.
Summer (5D4N)
All booked.
Autumn (4D3N)
24-27 September 2025
4 spots available
1-4 October 2025
4 spots available
16-19 November 2025
4 spots available
Winter (5D4N)
18-22 December 2025
4 spots available
2026 Calendar
Peak seasons of Spring & Autumn: 4 Days, 3 Nights (4D3N)
Off-peak seasons of Summer & Winter: 5 Days, 4 Nights (5D4N)
Please note: We close registration for unbooked Retreats 3 months before they begin, to give us time to prepare everything with care. If you’re planning ahead, we recommend booking early.
Spring (4D3N)
25-29 March 2026
3 spots available
(We had a prior booking to honour so you’re in luck, this is a 5D4N special)
1-4 April 2026
4 spots available
11-14 April 2026
4 spots available
18-21 April 2026
4 spots available
25-28 April 2026
4 spots available
9-12 May 2026
4 spots available
Summer (5D4N)
19-23 May 2026
1 spot available
13-17 June 2026
4 spots available
11-15 July 2026
4 spots available
25-29 July 2026
4 spots available
4-8 August 2026
4 spots available
15-19 August 2026
4 spots available
1-5 September 2026
4 spots available
12-16 September 2026
4 spots available
Autumn (4D3N)
20-23 September 2026
4 spots available
27-30 September 2026
4 spots available
24-27 October 2026
4 spots available
7-10 November 2026
4 spots available
14-17 November 2026
4 spots available
21-24 November 2026
4 spots available
28 November - 1 December 2026
4 spots available
Winter (5D4N)
10-14 January 2026
4 spots available
24-28 January 2026
4 spots available
7-11 February 2026
4 spots available
21-25 February 2026
4 spots available
7-11 March 2026
4 spots available
5-9 December 2026
4 spots available
12-16 December 2026
4 spots available
19-23 December 2026
4 spots available
FAQs
Could you open new dates for me?
Yes — if you book all 4 spots, we’ll be happy to find dates that fit your schedule and ours. Email us at hello@crafttaby.com.
Can I join the Retreat solo or do I need a group?
Yes, you can book a single spot and join a Retreat with other guests. If you prefer privacy, book all 4 spots for an exclusive experience. Retreats go ahead even if we only get 1 spot booked.
Can children come?
Solo participants must be 19 or older. If you are travelling with children, book all 4 spots and we’ll tailor a family-friendly retreat for you.
Is the Retreat physically demanding?
There are short hikes and visits to rocky riverbeds. If you or a companion have physical limitations, book all 4 spots for a custom itinerary.
Can you cater to food allergies or special diets (vegetarian, gluten-free, no beef, halal?)
Yes, we can accommodate vegetarian, gluten-free, or other dietary restrictions with advance notice. Please let us know in the form when you book. Participants who require halal meals should book all 4 spots so that we can ensure that utensils can be cleaned appropriately. We are not halal-certified but we can order halal-certified chicken and beef.
What should we pack?
We’ll send a packing list before your Retreat. Both guesthouses have air-con and heating, washer-dryer, hair dryer, and toiletries. Bring thick socks in the colder months.
Is there wifi or mobile signal at Ryunohara?
Yes, both Ryunohara Hatago and Doratei have speedy wifi and mobile signals. Coverage can be weak as we travel to locations outside the village (such as forested hikes).
Are there bugs, spiders, and snakes in the summer?
Yes, budding entomologists, arachnologists, and herpetologists will find a variety of beetles, butterflies, moths, spiders, and snakes. There are mosquitoes and horseflies nearby the river, and snakes (mostly non-venomous but also the very venomous Japanese Pit Viper) in the forest. The best time to seek them out is June to September. The Hatago has mosquito nets on every window, and we have not found a single snake indoors (as of yet).
I am afraid of birds/dogs/cats/frogs/insert animal name. Can I come?
We encourage all our visitors to face their fears head on. Our chickens, ducks and dogs are usually in enclosures or on leashes. Goats roam free to weed. You will see wild birds up close, but wild boars, deer, Japanese macaques, racoons, or bears fear us more than we fear them and they will stay away from us.
What’s the weather like?
Here are Ryujinmura’s average low and high temperatures based on 20 years of data:
January: -1.6ºC (29ºF), 7.5ºC (46ºF)
February: -1.0ºC (30ºF), 9.1ºC (48ºF)
March: 1.5ºC (34ºF), 13.1ºC (56ºF)
April: 6.1ºC (43ºF), 18.3ºC (65ºF)
May: 11.1ºC (52ºF), 23.0ºC (73ºF)
June: 16.0ºC (60ºF), 25.3ºC (78ºF)
July: 20.2ºC (68ºF), 29.0ºC (84ºF)
August: 20.7ºC (69ºF), 30.4ºC (87ºF)
September: 17.4ºC (63ºF), 26.9ºC (80ºF)
October: 11.4ºC (53ºF), 21.8ºC (71ºF)
November: 5.2ºC (41ºF), 16.1ºC (61ºF)
December: 0.3ºC (33ºF), 10.0ºC (50ºF)
What happens if it rains during the Retreat?
Rain is part of the forest experience. We are blessed lush green forests and drinkable mountain springs, which also means that the Kii Peninsula is one of the rainest locations in Japan. Most outdoor activities will go on with rain gear provided, or be swapped for equally immersive alternatives.
What is the refund policy?
Cancellations 90+ days before the retreat → 100% refund or credit, minus transaction fees incurred when you first made payment and during the refund. Refunds are made at the prevailing yen rate at the time of refund.
Cancellations 31-89 days before → 50% refund or credit, minus fees
Cancellations within 30 days or less → No credits or refunds
Late arrivals or early departures → No credits or refunds
If the Retreat is cancelled due to natural disasters or emergencies, or the illness of the host (Lee), you’ll receive a full refund or credit.