Five days of creativity, connection and the gentle art of living well.

Step away from the demands of everyday life and into a world of Japanese crafts, nourishing rituals and quiet discovery.

Nestled in the tranquil surrounds of Shizuka Ryokan & Wellness Retreat in Victoria’s beautiful Spa Country, this five-day experience invites you to slow down, awaken your senses and reconnect with yourself. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese retreat, where seasonal meals, peaceful gardens and thoughtful details invite you to savour a gentler pace.

Join Prue Simmons, Japanese craft and culture afficionado, for an exploration of the Japanese craft of indigo dyeing, as well as other nourishing creative practices, mindful movement, meditation and meaningful conversation. Discover how working with your hands can quiet a busy mind, how simple rituals can bring richness to ordinary moments, and how making space for yourself can open the way to renewed clarity and inspiration.

At the heart of our creative journey is the captivating practice of indigo dyeing and shibori. Fold, bind, dip and discover as cloth transforms into beautiful patterns of blue and white. With time to experiment and explore, you are invited to follow your curiosity, release expectations and enjoy the wonder of creating something uniquely your own.

Alongside our indigo explorations, enjoy Japanese-inspired experiences that connect creativity with everyday wellbeing. These may include shaping a living kokedama, exploring the rhythm of slow stitching, discovering the versatility of furoshiki cloth wrapping, and joining Shizuka’s head chef to learn simple, delicious Japanese preparations to enjoy at home.

Each day offers a balance of creative immersion and restorative space. Begin with gentle movement, breath awareness, meditation or reflective journalling, then allow yourself time to rest, wander, soak and simply be.

In the evenings, our Kokoro Conversations invite us to gather for thoughtful discussion, guided reflection and meditation. Explore Japanese concepts such as Yutori, Nagomi, Ikigai and Ichigo ichie, considering how spaciousness, harmony, everyday meaning and appreciation of the present moment might enrich your own life.

No previous craft or meditation experience is needed. Come with curiosity and a willingness to give yourself this time.

Leave with beautiful handmade pieces, meaningful memories and simple practices to carry into your everyday life, along with a deeper connection to the things that nourish you.

Arrive, exhale and make room for yourself.

Your retreat begins with an invitation to slow down.

Arrive at Shizuka from 2 pm and allow yourself time to settle into the peaceful rhythm of your surroundings. Unpack, enjoy a quiet cup of Japanese tea, soak in the bath, wander the gardens or simply rest. There is nothing you need to achieve this afternoon. This is your time to arrive fully and begin letting the busyness of everyday life soften.

At 6 pm, we gather to officially begin our retreat, meet one another and share our intentions for the days ahead. Enjoy a beautiful light Japanese dinner before our first Kokoro Conversation introduces Yutori, the spaciousness that allows us to breathe, notice and live with greater ease.

Through gentle reflection and meditation, begin creating room for the creativity, connection and discovery to come.

Let go of expectations and discover the beauty of the unexpected.

Begin your morning with gentle practices to awaken the body, settle the mind and listen inward. Guided journalling offers space to notice what you are carrying and what you might be ready to release.

Today, we enter the captivating world of indigo and shibori. Explore the possibilities of folding, binding and dipping cloth, watching the colour develop as it meets the air. Each unfolding reveals something new, inviting curiosity, delight and a little surrender.

With time to experiment, you can let go of needing to know exactly how things will turn out and enjoy the experience of discovery.

Balance your creative explorations with nourishing Japanese meals, quiet tea breaks and time to rest. This evening, our Kokoro Conversation explores Nagomi, reflecting on harmony and how we might welcome the different parts of ourselves with greater kindness and acceptance.

Follow your curiosity and settle more deeply into the moment.

With another day unfolding gently before you, return to your creative practice with fresh eyes and a growing sense of possibility.

After morning meditation and reflective journalling, deepen your indigo explorations. Revisit a technique that captured your imagination, try a different approach or create a larger piece to treasure. There is time to become absorbed in the process, allowing your hands to lead and your thoughts to settle.

The afternoon offers space to follow your own rhythm. Rest, wander, enjoy quiet reflection or continue creating with an optional slow-stitching practice. Let simple, repeated stitches become an invitation to patience and presence.

As evening falls, gather for our Kokoro Conversation on Ikigai. Explore the relationships, experiences and everyday pleasures that bring meaning to your life, and begin noticing what makes your own days feel rich and worthwhile.

Discover the pleasure of tending to yourself and the everyday.

Today invites you to explore nourishment through food, creativity, nature and connection.

Begin with gentle movement and journalling before joining Shizuka’s chef for an introduction to simple Japanese preparations. Discover flavours and techniques you can bring into your own kitchen, then enjoy the pleasure of sharing what you have made over lunch.

In the afternoon, connect with the natural world through a Japanese-inspired creative practice, such as making your own kokedama. Working slowly with living materials, reflect on the care, attention and conditions that help both plants and people flourish.

Our final evening together is an opportunity to savour good food, warm conversation and the connections formed over the retreat. Through Ichigo ichie, we reflect on the unrepeatable nature of this moment and the quiet richness of giving it our full attention.

Gather what has nourished you and carry it gently into your life.

Our final morning offers time to pause and recognise what has unfolded over the past five days.

Through gentle meditation and journalling, reflect on the discoveries, moments and conversations you would like to carry home. What has brought you joy? Where have you found a little more space? Which simple practices might continue to nourish you?

Enjoy a final creative session, perhaps discovering how your indigo cloth can become a beautiful and useful furoshiki wrap. Complete your pieces, share your reflections and appreciate the care and curiosity held within everything you have made.

We close with a shared lunch and heartfelt farewells, leaving with handmade treasures, renewed inspiration and an invitation to keep making room for creativity, meaning and moments of quiet wellbeing.