AUTUMN LEAVES
YOGA RETREAT JAPAN
with Govinda Kai & Begüm Gülderen & AKIKO MIYAZAKI
Myoshinji Temple, Kyoto.
Dates: 13 - 19 November 2026
6 Nights / 7 Days
Retreat Fees:
Non-Accommodation: €1550 (please contact me for more details)
Shared Double Room: €1850
Private Single Room: €2350
Ashtanga Yoga/Meditation Retreat
Revel in the calming energy of Yoga in the peaceful and beautiful cultural city of Kyoto. Offering a chance to experience Yoga practice in Dai Hon Zan Myo Shinji, a temple previously used by Buddhist monks. A place of culture, tradition, lovely zen gardens and enveloped by an aura of stillness. Look forward to morning Ashtanga Yoga sessions, Yoga Meditation Chanting Lecture and Kirtan, Hot Spring Bath, connecting and sharing. The composed ambiance of Kyoto, paired with the knowledge and experience of well known Ashtanga Yoga teacher Govinda Kai, this retreat is an opportunity not be missed.
“EXPERIENCE THE HOSPITALITY, MYSTIQUE, CULTURE, AND SERENITY.”
Imagine staying in a Temple, doing Yoga in a holistic place where entry is not easy. This is a place locates in the heart of Kyoto, in between Temples and Zen Gardens. This Hotel used to be for Buddhist Monks however now it is open for special groups. Now you can also experience to be there in the traditional place where you can meet with a great master, Yoga Teacher Govinda Kai. You would fall in love with this special retreat.
Every year, from mid to late November to early December, it is the Kyoto autumn peak to admire the splendid scenery of the red leaves, and the yellow or red maple leaves in the forests and ancient temples are so beautiful that you can't take your eyes off them.
The best time to enjoy the hot healing waters of a natural hot spring (onsen) as well as you can anytime go for long walks in the Zen Garden of the Temples. This Retreat will change you completely.
ACCOMMODATION:
It is a traditional Japanese temple hotel called Dai Hon Zan Myo Shinji.Within the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. Myoshinji is the head temple of the Myoshinji school with over 3000 affiliated temples and calls itself the largest of all Zen temples. Myoshinji was founded in 1337 when an abdicated emperor had an imperial villa converted into a Zen temple. Daishinin Temple is the smallest of the four sub-temples but has an attractive rock garden and beautiful rooms.
All the rooms are shared rooms. Beds are Japanese style on the floor. The room is large and is equipped with air-conditioning and a kotatsu heater and Bathroom are all shared. The building is made of timber and allows you to feel that you are really staying in a temple.
Zen Gardens of Myoshinji Temples
Morning Ashtanga Yoga Practices..
Michelen star Vegan Monk Dishes
This will be our accommodation..
WHAT`S INCLUDED;
6 Nights Ryokan style Accommodation at the 500 years old Myoshin-ji Temple Complex.
Traditional Japanese Breakfast and Dinner (Vegetarian)
6 Morning Yoga Classes at Japanese Style Shala(Yoga Room) by Govinda Kai
5 Afternoon Lecture and Kirtan by Govinda Kai
Japanese Green Tea (Available all day)
Evening Heated/Hot Bath at the Hotel
Walks & Meditations at Zen Gardens of where we will stay at.
Some activities and visits as well as all the guidance you need by Akiko.
NOT INCLUDED:
Travel costs, airfare transport to/from hotel, tube tickets.
ACTIVITIES INCLUDED:
Visit Ariyasama Bamboo Forest and Sagano River.
Day trip to Mt. Kurama and Hike to Kurama-dera Mountain Temple. Finishing with a visit to its famous Kurama Onsen to relax tired muscles after climbimg up.
Visit to Geisha District, Kiyomizu and Daigo-ji Temples.
OpTIONAL ACTIVITIES (NOT INCLUDED):
Visit to several Temples/Shrines.
Tea Ceremony Session
Jyotish Vedic Astrology Reading
Photographers are available! Whether you’d like some yoga poses or a more serene shoot in the gardens, we could arrange for you great deals
Go to Massage Center and have the best Shiatsu Massage ( 5000 Yen - 1 hour )
Temple’s Rules:
Curfew (closing time) 9:30 PM – Temple Main Gates close earlier.
Bath time 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM – Women and Men Bath are separated. Heated Bath is available in the evenings. However, you can take a shower at any time in the shared Bathroom at the Temple
Lights out time 11:00 PM
WiFi/LAN available
“Ashtanga Yoga Retreat in Kyoto was true and authentic. The temple was a unique location, well thought, a very very simple and purist surrounding but in the same way just beautiful. I appreciate the nearness of Govinda who is for me one of the most authentic Ashtanga yoga teachers. I just loved to be there with him and listen to his talks, his chants. Thank you.”
GOVINDA KAI
other teachers & Ashtanga yoga
Govinda Kai has been involved in Martial Arts, meditative disciplines, and yoga for over 40 years. He spent two years studying Tibetan Buddhism under the tutelage of Sogyal Rinpoche (Author of ‘The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying’), and also studied Aikido with some of the foremost instructors in the world.
He is one of the few teachers in the world who received Certification to teach the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga system directly by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. His quest for truth and purity in the more essential parts of his self and life has taken him all over the world. With over 35 years of experience teaching yoga, Govinda Kai has worked with many students in Asia, America, and Europe, bringing his passion for the spiritual life and for deep transformation into his classes and workshops. Govinda’s teachings will bring real experiences of celebrating the truly profound possibilities of yoga and spiritual practice. www.lunaticmonk.com
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a style of yoga codified and popularized by K. Pattabhi Jois during the 20th century which is often promoted as a modern-day form of classical Indian yoga. Ashtanga means eight limbs or branches, of which asana or physical yoga posture is merely one branch, breath or pranayama is another. Prepare to sweat as you briskly move through a set sequence. All-Levels are welcome! *Mysore style classes can be taught privately.
Akiko Miyazaki; A dedicated Ashtanga Yoga practitioner and teacher based in Japan. Deeply rooted in discipline, humility, and tradition, Akiko bridges Japanese culture with yogic wisdom. As your local host, she offers cultural guidance, care, and quiet support throughout the retreat.
Begum Gulderen; Founder of Shivani Life Center and The Soul Retreat Club, yoga teacher and retreat creator. With years of international experience. Begum creates refined, soulful retreats, that biend authenticity, beauty, trust, and meaningful connection.
Some days for sightseeing. Sight-seeing will be arranged and if you are coming to Japan alone, afraid of being a stranger, you won't be….
Govinda will start to teach from the date of 14th of Nov. You can check-in the hotel from 13th of Nov.. You will have some time for settling in.
Begüm & Akiko will be the assistant of Govinda. They will be there for anything guests need.
Sample Program
5.30 am to 8.20 am - Yoga Asana (Ashtanga Yoga )
8.30 am to 9.30 am - Breakfast
10 am to 3 pm - Resting or Sightseeings
4 pm to 6 pm Chanting/Lecture/Kirtan (5 times )
6 pm to 7 pm Dinner
“The Kyoto Yoga retreat in the heart of Japan was a magnificent experience, bringing us together in the embrace of nature and ancient wisdom. Besides staying in a temple setting, starting each day with meditation and Ashtangha practice with dear Begüm, Govinda, and Akiko was incredibly transformative and supportive, and the energy of unity was truly amazing. The meticulously prepared presentations and exploration tours were wonderful for both our eyes and hearts.
A Yoga retreat in a temple in Kyoto, the heart of Japan, promises plenty of discovery, experience, and transformation.
Thank you Begum!”
Meals at Myoshin-ji Temple:
All meals will be Monk Food (Vegan). Traditional Shojin Fuori vegan monk food and arguably the best in Kyoto. Ajiro is a Michelin-starred restaurant serving temple food (strictly vegetarian, no meat or seafood). It's surprisingly AMAZING!
Head chef Chiba Mitsuru says Ajiro's menu changes every month according to the season and what's on offer. Although he hasn't trained as a monk, the young and gentle Chiba understands that shojin ryori should be nourishing not only for the body but also for the soul. Meals are served at low lacquered tables.
The menu includes rice, sushi, soups, pickles, fruits, daizu-dofu (soybean tofu thickened with arrowroot), and more. There's also tofu made with lotus root, peanuts, or walnuts. This is followed by sticky rice cakes made with soybeans, mushrooms, and lily of the valley, and desserts.
The closest airport is Osaka International Airport where direct flights from many countries.
From Osaka airport, shuttle bus service is available to Kyoto station. (it takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes) (2700 YEN)
From Kyoto station, you can either reach to the temple by train or by taxi. (Taxi to the temple - 3000 YEN)
Myoshinji is a ten-minute walk from JR Hanazano Station (400 YEN) and just 5 minutes from Keifuku train line’s Myoshinji Station.
7 mins walk to Myoshinji Complex from Hanazano St. 3 mins walk to Daishinin Temple. (Total 10 mins walk)
Taxi pick-up service could be arranged for you as well.
KYOTO city
Kyoto, once the capital of Japan, is a city on the island of Honshu. It’s famous for its numerous classical Buddhist temples, as well as gardens, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines and traditional wooden houses. It’s also known for formal traditions such as kaiseki dining, consisting of multiple courses of precise dishes, and geisha, female entertainers often found in the Gion district.
Kyoto is world famous for its wonderful temples and shrines. There’s also incredible shopping, bicycling, hiking, museums, galleries and green spaces.
What To Do in Kyoto
Visit Temples/Shrines/Castles/Zen Gardens; There are literally thousands of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines in Kyoto. It’s great fun to take in the breathtaking scenery for autumn season and view the beautiful architectural structures. You can take a moment to learn the correct way to pray and also enjoy a casual trip to some of these wonderful places. Like Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines are places of worship. In Shinto, millions of gods which can be found everywhere are worshipped. Most of them contain the traditional gardens of the finest quality.
Walk in Bamboo Forest; The most beautiful forest you will ever see. This is the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Just stunning isn’t it! It’s probably one of the best loved tourist sites in Kyoto, Japan and you can see why! You can stand amongst soaring stalks of bamboo and feel like you’re in a totally different world to the one you live in. It truly is a magical place, especially when the wind picks up and all you hear is the huge sound of the bamboo leaves rustling.
Bath at one of Kyoto`s Onsen; When visiting Japan's former capital city, it's natural to want to experience an amazing Kyoto onsen. An onsen is a natural hot spring bath, which I deem to be one of the most relaxing things to do during a Kyoto itinerary. After a long day of yoga and hiking, nothing beats soaking in a Japanese onsen.
Have lunch at Geisha District; Gion is one of the most well known Geisha districts in Japan, with beautifully preserved architecture and traditional customs and entertainment. The streets of Gion are characterised by old wooden townhouses (machiya) which contain teahouses (ochaya), shops and restaurants. These buildings give the district a beautiful old world charm and, understandably the area is very popular with tourists. There are several modern streets in the area too which has restaurants.
Kiyomizu-dera and Daigo-ji are iconic Kyoto temples, with Kiyomizu famous for its city views from its wooden stage and Daigo-ji known as a stunning autumn leaves spot with expansive grounds, both offering rich history and beautiful seasonal scenery.
WHAT TO BRING
Here are some suggestions that have come up to help you better plan for your stay. For traveling, packing your favourite power bars and dried food is always a good idea however there is a market (10mins walk). A thick cardigans for early mornings and nights. There is a laundry service near the temple.
Please bring your yoga mat, warm clothes, walking shoes, water bottle…
TO REGISTER
Please email your interest to Begüm ( begumgulderenyoga@gmail.com ). You will then receive a registration form to complete and details regarding the transfer of deposit. A non-refundable deposit of €500 is required to secure your booking. Second deposit of €500 should be paid 90 days before arrival (non-refundable) The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival. (non-refundable) Upon registration, you will be sent more info about getting to and around Kyoto, taxi pick-up from the airport, what to bring etc.