Your Mindfulness centred Wellness Program
At The Sanctuary Japan, your private retreat is created just for you.
We believe true health comes when every part of you is aligned — body, mind, and spirit working in harmony. That is why each program is designed around five interconnected dimensions of wellbeing:
Mental | Physical | Spiritual | Creative | Nutrition
These dimensions ensure that every part of you is supported, from clarity of mind to vitality of body, from spiritual presence to creative flow, all sustained by mindful nourishment.
Working one-to-one with exceptional therapists and practitioners, you will be guided through a personalised blend of evidence-based therapies and Japanese traditions to restore balance and renewal.
Key features of your program
Personalised Design
Every program is created after consultation with you, blending therapies, practices, and cultural experiences to suit your individual needs.
Team Support
Psychotherapists, bodywork specialists, yoga teachers, acupuncturists, chefs, arts practitioners, and personal staff are carefully chosen to support your journey.
Flexible rhythm
Your program adapts daily, allowing space for rest, therapy, and immersion at the right pace.
One Guest at a Time
This rare model means every element of care is private, one-to-one, and entirely focused on you.
Mental Health
At the core of our therapeutic approach is psychotherapy, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and trauma-informed CBT, combined with coaching and mindset development. These evidence-based methods provide practical ways to shift unhelpful thinking patterns, improve mood, and build resilience.
What makes this distinctive at The Sanctuary Japan is the way we weave these therapies together with traditional Japanese cultural and mindfulness practices.
For example:
Guided meditation and breathwork to calm the nervous system
Shodō (calligraphy) to build focus and self-awareness
Journaling and ikigai exploration to clarify inner dialogue and purpose
Zazen (seated meditation) to cultivate stillness and presence
This integration of Western psychotherapy and Japanese mindfulness creates a holistic approach that supports both emotional healing and deeper self-connection.
Physical Health
To improve, develop and maintain optimum physical health, we recommend a routine of daily exercise and fitness, body work and physical movement. At The Sanctuary Japan we offer active practices including Yoga, fitness and strength training, martial arts such as Aikido , breath-focused movement and posture work and outdoor practices such as forest bathing/walking (shinrin-yoku) and sporting activities to suit your interests. These are offered alongside more passive bodywork practices such as Shiatsu, Seitai, and physiotherapy, and relaxation practices - Reiki, bathing and onsen rituals and sleep rituals with breathwork and sensory techniques.
Spirituality
At The Sanctuary Japan, spirituality is treated as a practice of mindfulness — a deep connection with the inner self, a reverence for the natural world, and an appreciation for the present moment. For some, this is an inward journey through meditation and stillness; for others, it is expressed through ritual, tradition, and creativity.
Practices such as zazen meditation, tea ceremony (sadō), and seasonal shrine visits invite stillness, ritual, and a sense of the sacred. Journaling with the Japanese concept of ikigai can help clarify meaning and purpose, while forest bathing connects you to cycles of nature.
Through these traditions, spirituality at The Sanctuary becomes both a personal and cultural experience — cultivating presence, gratitude, and a deeper sense of belonging.
Creativity
Japanese creative practices are deeply rooted in nature and aesthetic principles such as wabi-sabi (the beauty of imperfection) and yūgen (profound mystery and depth). They are often meditative by nature, offering a pathway into mindfulness and self-expression.
At The Sanctuary Japan, you are invited to explore creative offerings as both immersive cultural experiences and personal reflections. Practices may include shodō (calligraphy), ensō or sumi-e painting, ikebana (flower arranging), and origami, as well as ceramics, textiles, and traditional music such as koto or shakuhachi.
These arts are not simply hobbies but mindful practices: painting an ensō as a moment of presence, arranging flowers as a meditation on impermanence, or playing music as a way to channel energy and emotion.
Creativity becomes both expression and reflection — a way of discovering new perspectives and deepening your sense of self.
Nutrition
Nutrition at The Sanctuary Japan is rooted in seasonality, simplicity, and mindful eating. All meals are chef-prepared using fresh, local ingredients, with menus tailored to your tastes, dietary needs, and wellbeing goals.
The Japanese philosophy of shun (旬) — enjoying ingredients at their peak — guides our approach. Meals feature seasonal produce, alongside fermented foods such as miso, tsukemono, and koji-based preparations, and Japanese superfoods like umeboshi, shiso, yuba, kombu, and daikon.
Dining itself becomes a mindful practice: slowing down, eating in silence or guided presence, and cultivating gratitude for the food and its preparation. Through this, nourishment extends beyond the body, bringing awareness, balance, and connection to nature’s rhythm.
Personal Care
Personal care is an important part of every retreat at The Sanctuary Japan. Alongside your therapeutic program, you are supported by personal carers who ensure your daily life is comfortable, calm, and stress-free.
Carers usually stay overnight, offering a steady and reassuring presence. They may assist with serving meals, household needs, laundry, and accompanying you on outings or appointments.
Each carer is carefully chosen for their warmth, experience, and interpersonal skills. They provide companionship and thoughtful support, helping to create a safe, welcoming home environment throughout your stay.
Sample Daily Schedule
Each day at The Sanctuary Japan is structured yet flexible, with a balance of therapy, movement, nourishment, culture, and rest. While your retreat is designed uniquely for you, the outline below gives a sense of how a day may unfold:
Morning – Grounding & Renewal
Private yoga or Zen meditation
Nourishing breakfast prepared by your chef
Individual psychotherapy session
Midday – Nourishment & Integration
Seasonal lunch
Time for rest, journaling, or private reflection
Afternoon – Culture & Creativity
Cultural immersion (e.g., tea ceremony, calligraphy, music, or nature walk)
Movement therapy or bodywork
Evening – Restoration & Reflection
Herbal bathing ritual or relaxation therap
Dinner in a peaceful setting
Gentle evening practice — reading, meditation, or creative exploration
Your household staff and chefs take care of all domestic needs so that you are free to focus entirely on your retreat. Should you wish to request specific activities or additional services, our team will be glad to accommodate where possible.