Journey into the beauty of Japan without leaving Victoria. Over five restorative days, immerse yourself in the expressive art of SAORI weaving, authentic Japanese hospitality and the gentle pleasure of having time just for you.

Nestled in the heart of Victoria’s Spa Country, Shizuka Ryokan & Wellness Retreat offers a peaceful setting to slow down, soften into stillness and let your creativity unfold. With this traditional Japanese accommodation reserved exclusively for our small group, you can settle into a welcoming sanctuary where weaving, connection and self-care become the rhythm of your days.

Join passionate, accredited SAORI artist and teacher Prue Simmons as she guides you into the freedom and possibilities of this joyful Japanese weaving practice. Explore colour, texture and a variety of techniques as you create cloth that is uniquely yours. With each passing thread, allow expectations to loosen and discover the pleasure of creating intuitively, guided by curiosity and your own creative spirit.

With five days to immerse yourself, there is time to find your rhythm at the loom, follow an unexpected idea and explore your weaving more deeply. Discover SAORI clothing design techniques and possibilities for transforming your handwoven cloth into a distinctive piece to wear, or simply cherish it as an expression of your retreat experience.

Beyond the loom, savour exquisite Japanese food, warm hospitality and the quiet rituals that make a ryokan stay so special. Relax in your room overlooking a private garden, soak in your deep Japanese bath and enjoy space to rest, reflect and simply be. Each room includes an adjoining private bathroom, bringing comfort and tranquillity to your stay.

In addition to weaving, you will also immerse in deeply nourishing activities such as meditation and breathwork, a Yoga Nidra and Sound Healing session, tap into your senses and the natural world with a Shinrin-Yoku activity and enjoy private access to Shizuka Ryokan's signature Japanese outdoor onsen experience.

Shared with a small group of like-minded creative souls, this intimate retreat offers a nourishing balance of gentle guidance, creative exploration and time to yourself. An opportunity to reconnect with the pleasure of making, nurture your wellbeing and return home with beautiful cloth, fresh inspiration, treasured memories and your energetic cup refilled. This is rejuvenation for Body, Mind & Soul!

Whether you are discovering SAORI for the first time or deepening an established practice, you are warmly welcome. No previous weaving experience is needed, just an open heart, a curious mind and a willingness to explore.

Give yourself five days away from the busy world, step into a haven of serenity and immerse in a world of creativity, deep rest, rejuvenation and endless possibility.

Places are limited to preserve the intimate nature of this special experience.

Arrive, exhale and settle into serenity.

Your retreat begins with the luxury of time. Time to settle in, leave the demands of everyday life behind and ease into four days of colour, creativity and connection.

Our official welcome begins at 6pm, allowing you plenty of time to travel. If you can arrive earlier, check-in is available from 2pm and is highly recommended, giving you a beautiful afternoon to begin unwinding.

Sink into a warm bath with fragrant yuzu bath salts, sip Japanese tea overlooking your private garden, or open your journal and let your thoughts wander. Explore the local walking trails or the charming surrounds of Hepburn Springs and Daylesford. Perhaps simply rest and enjoy some self-guided creative mindfulness activities, having nowhere else you need to be.

In the evening, we gather over a light Japanese meal to meet one another and set our intentions for the days ahead. You’ll discover the origins, rich history and heartfelt philosophy of SAORI weaving, opening the door to a creative practice that celebrates individuality, curiosity and the beauty of your own expression.

Follow your curiosity and let the threads lead you.

After a delicious, chef-prepared Japanese breakfast, take your place at the loom and begin exploring the possibilities of SAORI weaving.

Through guided techniques and playful experimentation, you’ll discover how colour, texture and unexpected combinations can bring your cloth to life. With each new thread, give yourself permission to loosen expectations, trust your instincts and enjoy the pleasure of creating.

A sumptuous Japanese lunch offers time to pause before an afternoon immersed in weaving. Continue exploring at your own pace, with further guided techniques to inspire you and support your growing confidence. Afternoon tea brings a delicious pause between moments of creative discovery.

As our guided session draws to a close in the early evening, we gather for a beautifully prepared Japanese banquet.

The rest of the evening is yours to savour. Return to your loom, enjoy conversation or crafting in the lounge, soak in the private outdoor Japanese onsen, or retreat to your room for a luxurious bath and a restful early night.

Nourish every part of your being with restorative practices and extended time to explore your unique creativity at the loom.

Today is an invitation to settle more deeply into the gentle rhythm of retreat life, nourish your body and soul, and allow your creativity to unfold with time and spaciousness.

Return to the loom with fresh curiosity, following the colours, textures and unexpected possibilities that draw you in. With this beautiful extra day to immerse yourself, there is time to linger over your weaving, lose yourself in its meditative rhythm and connect more closely with your own creative voice.

Between moments at the loom, enjoy journalling, meditation, quiet rest or a gentle wander through your surroundings. Let the day offer what you need, whether that is the pleasure of creating, space for reflection or simply permission to pause.

Over a nourishing Japanese lunch, we will explore simple, supportive practices for bringing greater calm and balance into daily life. Discover gentle ways to care for your mind, body and soul, carrying a little of the retreat’s serenity home with you.

As evening falls, surrender to an deeply restorative Yoga Nidra and Sound Healing experience. Settle into a rich tapestry of layered notes, gentle percussion and the lingering resonance of singing bowls. With nothing to do and nowhere else to be, allow the sounds to wash over you, inviting your body to soften and your mind to grow quiet.

Settle into the rhythm of weaving and listen within.

Today invites you to deepen your connection with the loom, your creativity and yourself.

Following a nourishing Japanese breakfast, you will immerse in a Shinrin-yoku guided nature and sensory meditation and silent weaving session offering space to slow down and become absorbed in the gentle rhythm of the surrounding landscape and your weaving practice. Notice the feel of the fibres, the movement of your hands and the quiet pleasure of watching your cloth unfold.

As outside distractions soften, allow your own creative voice to emerge, one thread at a time.

A chef-prepared Japanese lunch nourishes you for an afternoon of continued exploration. As time allows, we may also discover Sakiori, the Japanese practice of weaving with strips of cloth. Using a specially designed fabric cutter, explore how existing fabrics can find new life, texture and character within your weaving.

Spa treatments are scheduled throughout the day, offering a restorative interlude, while freshly baked afternoon tea adds another moment to pause and savour.

That evening, we celebrate our creative discoveries over another exquisite Japanese banquet. Spend your final night at the Ryokan weaving a little longer, sharing stories or simply soaking up the serenity.

Gather your threads and carry the inspiration home.

Our final morning begins with a traditional Japanese breakfast before we return to the looms to complete our woven pieces.

Enjoy these last unhurried moments with your cloth, appreciating the colours, textures and discoveries that have taken shape through your hands. Each piece holds something of your experience: a moment of creative courage, an unexpected delight, a new way of seeing.

If time allows, we’ll explore tips and ideas for freestyle SAORI clothing design, considering how your cloth might become a treasured garment or a beautiful addition to your home.

We gather for one final Japanese lunch, sharing reflections and celebrating all we have created before the retreat concludes after lunch.

Leave refreshed and rejuvenated. with your unique woven cloth, fresh inspiration and a deeper connection to your creativity. Carry a little of the Ryokan’s stillness with you, along with the invitation to keep exploring.

You may find the hardest part is saying goodbye.