Experience a luxurious taste of historic Japan surrounded by stunning natural beauty in a hideaway villa nestled in the rice terraces of Nara Opened in the Autumn of 2014 by Tetsuji Matsubayashi, Sasayuri-Ann takes the essence of Japan and utilizes the forces of nature—mountains, waterfalls, rice paddies—to put guests in touch with their souls. Through that contact, the meaning of travel to Japan is broadened. You wake up next to a forest with the sounds of birds, in view of paddies, aromas of flowers and trees. This is the Japan of Shugendo, Shinto, Zen, and secular poetry, a place to discover how we are shaped by nature. More than religious, and as physical an approach to understanding as it is spiritual, Sasayuri-Ann is a place that, due to its setting and owner, is restorative. Located in the Kii region, Japan’s largest peninsula, the surroundings are typified by rainforests, small farms, and profound vulnerability to the forces of the sea. Nara, the landlocked area of Kii where Sasayuri-Ann stands, is historically renowned as a pilgrimage site. So much so that in 2004, UNESCO designated several locations within it as World Heritage Sites. As the first and former capital of Japan, Nara has numerous shrines and temples that attract Japanese who seek a chance to be part of history. And now, with Sasayuri-Ann, guests from outside of Japan can join the spiritual journey. The mix of ancient, natural traditions and modernity provide cultural pathways that bring guests into the heart of Japan. The setting of a rice terrace villa, in a region famous for pilgrimages, is magical. Sasayuri is a place that is increasingly rare in today’s world: It creates a here-and-now experience drawing upon past and future. Overview of Specially Crafted 4n5d Spiritual Retreat Program Itinerary – |Date|Location|Overview|Accommodation| |Day 1 25th Nov. 2019|Nara|Transfer from Osaka / Kyoto / Nagoya to Sasayuri-Ann by chauffeur |Sasayuri-Ann Villa Type:Onuzuand/ or Zao| |Day 2 26th Nov. 2019|Nara|Spiritual Retreat Day Program of Walking Meditation|Sasayuri-Ann Villa Type:Onuzu and/ or Zao| |Day 3 27th Nov. 2019|Nara|Spiritual Retreat Day Program of Sound Meditation|Sasayuri-Ann Villa Type: Onuzu and/ or Zao| |Day 4 28th Nov. 2019|Nara|Spiritual Retreat Day Program of Fire Meditation|Sasayuri-Ann Villa Type:Onuzu and/ or Zao| |Day 5 29th Nov. 2019|Nara to |Transfer from Sasayuri-Ann to Osaka / Kyoto / Nagoya by chauffeur|| Program Overview Day1 25th Nov. 2019 Arrival to Sasayuri-Ann - Chauffeur transfer from Osaka / Kyoto / Nagoya to Sasayuri-Ann - Check-in / Relax &Unwind - Dinner: Private Hotpot Dinner at Iori Fire Place of Sasayuri-Ann Day2 26th Nov. 2019 Spiritual Day Retreat Day Program of Walking Meditation - Program Overview - Early morning sungazing and earthing in the outdoor fields infront of Sasayuri-Ann - 5 hrs privately guided hiking course to the Akame Water Fall Focusing on internal meditative techniques and deepening breath Zazen Meditation in the peak of the mountain and earthing - Healing in the Akame Onsen Hotspring for rejuvenation - Sitar and Tabla Music Private Live Performance at Sasayuri-Ann - Stay: Sasayuri-Ann - Dinner: Private Sushi Dinner sushi chef at Sasayuri-Ann Day3 27th Nov. 2019 Spiritual Day Retreat Day Program of Sound Meditation - Program Overview - KeyProgram - Early morning sungazing and earthing in the outdoor fields in front o fSasayuri-Ann - Akame Water Fall mediation with the sound of the river - Shugendo Gongyo with Japanese drums, bells, conch and reading - 528 Japanese bell meditation (main meditation program) - Make own conchi-shell and blow meditation - Shakuhachi Flute Private Live Performace at Sasayuri-Ann - Stay: Sasayuri-Ann - Dinner : Homemade and stove baked pizza at Sasayuri-Ann Day4 28th Nov. 2019 Spiritual Day Retreat Day Program of Fire Meditation - Program Overview - KeyProgram - Early morning sungazing and earthing in the outdoor fields in front of Sasayuri-Ann - Sungazing Meditation - Early morning Goma esoteric Buddhism fire-offering - Candle flame gazing meditation - Turndown & talk by irori fireplace - Stay: Sasayuri-Ann - Dinner: Private Japanese Fine-cuisine Course Dinner Served by Michelin Star Chef from Manso restauraunt in Nara City Day 5 29th Nov. Departure - Depart to the next destination by chauffeur <u>About Sasayuri-Ann</u> Located in the mountain village of Fukano Muro, home of ninjas and birthplace of Noh dance, Sasayuri-Ann boasts panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and rice terraces. The building is a traditional farmhouse, renovated for modern convenience and luxury, but maintaining the thatched roof, irori. hearth and earthen walls for the nostalgic ambiance of a Kurosawa film. Along with the surrounding natural attractions, guests can enjoy stargazing from the comfort of their futon bed, and a raft of mindfulness experiences led by the owner, a Buddhist monk and practitioner of Shugendo asceticism. About Villa Zao is a two hundred year old, traditional farmhouse that has been completely renovated. Tatami rooms, floor to ceiling windows, an open hearth, a huge and sunken cedar tub, and a modern kitchen. Guests can enjoy and imagine life on a well-groomed farm. 3 Bedrooms Futon Bedding Capacity 2 – 7 pax (Suggested Max Capacity : 6 ) Onuzua second villa, recently added to the property surrounded by Japanese stones with scenic backdrop of moutains. The purpose is to bring guests closer to living art and nature. 3 Bedrooms Futon Bedding Capacity 2 – 7 pax (Suggested Max Capacity : 4 ) For inquriies contact Bear Luxe Corporation EGG JAPAN 9F Shin-Marunouchi Building, 1-5-1Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-6509 TELFAX 03-6339-5061 EMAIL info@bearluxejapan.com About Bear Luxe Japan Bear Luxe Japan is a network of the country's leading luxury travel suppliers dedicated to providing bespoke travel experiences with a human touch. Our industry-first digital portal seamlessly connects buyers and sellers at a one-stop window for marketing materials, negotiations, reservations and payments. Our goal is to contribute to the creation of meaningful luxury travel experiences that support the further development of Japanese culture and tradition and sustain local industries.