Tohoku: Solo Journey to Zen & Nature

Cultivate Inner Peace in Tohoku’s Serene Mountains

Duration: 3 Days
Area: Iwate

Zazen, Nature & Onsen for Solo Reflection

Discover a serene and accessible healing journey in Morioka, perfect for solo travelers. This tour leads you to a city where rich nature and living history abound. This special itinerary offers you a precious opportunity to step away from the daily hustle and connect with yourself through serene landscapes and authentic cultural experiences at your own pace.w

Tour Highlights

Private Zazen Session at a Selene Temple
Experience Forest Bathing with Expert Guidance
Relaxing & Rejuvenating Onsen Stay
Explore at Your Own Pace

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Morioka & Zazen

Shinkansen Ride to Morioka

Depart from Tokyo on a comfortable bullet train, arriving smoothly at Morioka Station.

Zazen (Zen Meditation) at Temple

Immerse yourself in a private Zen meditation session at a historic temple, a sacred time dedicated to profoundly harmonizing your mind and cultivating inner stillness. Please note that English interpretation is not provided; we will give you English instructions on Zazen practice beforehand.

★ Explore on Your Own

Lunch in Morioka: Savor a delicious lunch at your leisure. We will provide recommendations tailored to your palate, whether you crave Morioka’s famous soba, authentic sushi, contemporary Japanese dishes, or Italian cuisine featuring local ingredients.
Morioka Exploration: Discover Morioka, a city selected by The New York Times as one of “52 Places to Go in 2023.” Visit historic sites like Morioka Hachimangu Shrine and castle ruins, browse Nambu ironware shops, or relax in a classic cafe.

Check-in & Dinner at the Hotel

Settle into your comfortable room and unwind. Later, savor a delightful buffet dinner at the resort, showcasing a wide variety of fresh, local dishes.

Day 2: Forest Bathing & Immersion in Nature

★ Explore on Your Own

Morning in the Highlands: Start your day with breakfast at the hotel. Then, enjoy free time to immerse yourself in the serene highlands, choosing a solo morning Zazen with mountain views, a refreshing nature walk, or a gondola ride for a chance to witness the sea of clouds.

Appi Highlands Nature Tour

Explore the beautiful nature of Appi Highlands with a local guide. As you stroll through the beech forests, you will learn how the local people and nature have coexisted in harmony. This experience offers the expected health benefits for mind and body through forest bathing – a scientifically supported practice originating in Japan, known as Shinrin-yoku, that immerses your senses in the forest atmosphere to significantly reduce stress, boost immune function, and promote deep relaxation.

Picnic Lunch in Nature

Savor a special picnic lunch and wild herb tea, surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Appi Kogen wilderness.

★ Explore on Your Own

Afternoon Relaxation & Activities: Spend the afternoon at your leisure. Relax in onsen (both public and private onsen available), explore on an e-Bike, or enjoy unique hotel activities like kimono experience or seasonal firefly viewing.

Japanese Dinner at the Hotel

Indulge in an exquisitely prepared Japanese dinner, featuring the finest seasonal ingredients of the Iwate region.

Day 3: Morioka Exploration & Beyond

Hotel Check-out & Return Shuttle to Morioka

Check out and take the convenient hotel shuttle back to Morioka Station, enjoying the highland scenery one last time.

★ Explore on Your Own

Lunch in Morioka

Enjoy lunch and spend your last hours exploring Morioka. Revisit a favorite spot, shop for authentic Nambu ironware, or relax at a cafe before heading home.

Choose Your Afternoon Adventure (Optional)

・Yakehashiri Lava Flow Hike
・Chuson-ji Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site) visit

These options require transportation arrangements. Please contact us for details.

Shinkansen Ride to Tokyo

Conclude your journey with a comfortable Shinkansen ride from Morioka Station. Travel smoothly back to Tokyo.

Accomodation

ANA Crowne Plaza Resort Appi Kogen

Your stay is at ANA Crowne Plaza Resort Appi Kogen, a premium sanctuary nestled amidst majestic highlands. This hotel offers the perfect environment to unwind and reconnect with nature, creating an unforgettable solo wellness trip.

Immerse yourself in natural onsen, with private baths available for moments of perfect, uninterrupted solitude. Your comfortable room offers a peaceful haven for rest and reflection. Indulge in exquisite dining, from lavish buffets to sophisticated Japanese cuisine, all showcasing the best of regions’s local ingredients.