As a first time traveller to Japan the experiences and locations that were included in the garden tour gave me the opportunity to get a fantastic first snapshot of Japan. The tour was very well curated, the cultural and food experiences will be remembered as highlights and the organisation of the tour was seamless. There was a very relaxed vibe within the group with many people having similar interests and curiosity which made the experience fun and informative. I would highly recommend retreat|recreate. Jane L – Japan Garden Tour, Nov 2025.
What a privilege to travel to Japan on the inaugural retreat|recreate Japan Garden Tour. The itinerary was filled with visits to beautiful gardens, museums and temples. What a pleasure to experience the gardens in their spectacular autumn colour. The tour was well paced and we experienced many special workshops and great Japanese meals. We were guided throughout by the knowledgeable and experienced retreat|recreate team. Anonymous (by request) – Japan Garden Tour, Nov 2025.
Next tour is 26 November – 10 December 2026
Come and explore fascinating Japan through the lens of its botanic delights in this small group tour. Experience various types of Japanese gardens – dry landscapes, moss gardens, pond & stroll gardens, zen rock gardens, water & mirror gardens and bamboo groves, plus lush landscapes and autumnal vistas.
Visit spectacular botanical sites including two of the famous ‘Three Great Gardens of Japan’, stunning zen temple gardens both traditional and modern, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed village of thatched roof ‘Gassho-zukuri’ farmhouses, world famous museums, and must-see cultural sites.
Participate in multiple hands-on botanically themed experiences including a bonsai workshop, an ikebana class, indigo dyeing, a bamboo carving demonstration and a plant dyeing workshop.
Enjoy a traditional tea ceremony, spend an incredible night in the monastery of a Buddhist temple and witness the morning fire and drumming prayer rituals, be inspired by superb garden design and craftsmanship, and experience traditional Japanese culture and hospitality, all in the company of a small group of likeminded garden enthusiasts.
Important Notes
- this tour is designed as an exploration of Japanese garden aesthetics and principles rather than an exercise in ticking off a list of Latin-named specimens. There are (wonderful) garden tours out there that are led by professional horticulturalists and landscape designers, with lectures and scholarly botanist notes included. This tour is not one of those nor is the itinerary academic in nature. We are garden enthusiasts not experts;
- participants on this tour should: have an interest in Japanese gardens and culture (we visit a lot of temples – that’s where the best gardens are); be fit and able to be on their feet most of the day; have read the Trip Notes thoroughly so they know what to expect on tour; and be a respectful and considerate group member;
- two of our accommodations (the ryokan and the very simple monastic temple accommodation) feature futons on tatami mats and communal bathing facilities. The remaining accommodations feature Western beds and ensuite bathrooms;
- the minimum number of travellers on this tour is 8;
- the maximum number of travellers on this tour is 14;
- places are not allocated on a first-come first-serve basis as we: (a) assess applicants’ fitness declarations to ensure suitability; and (b) juggle applications with available single/twin room allocations. However our Japan tours can sell quickly so we encourage you to apply on time when the tour opens;
- if we receive more applications than there are places, unsuccessful applicants may request to be added to the waiting list;
- if we don’t achieve the minimum number the tour will not proceed and your deposit will be returned;
- travellers need to have good fitness and mobility to participate in this tour and will be required to describe their fitness levels. We reserve the right to decline an application if we assess your fitness as inadequate for this itinerary.
We’re very excited about this botanical itinerary and hope you are too! If you’d like to receive the 2026 Information Pack when it’s finalised, please get in touch HERE
The inaugural Japan Garden Tour with retreat|recreate was superb in every way. It had an incredible itinerary and this tour far exceeded my expectations. I still have a hard time believing all that we did and saw, all while basking in the fall colors. We traveled to many prefectures to see Japan’s Big Three Gardens, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and beautiful gardens and architecture associated with museums, temples, and shrines. It was a lot of fun to travel using nearly every mode of transportation: Shinkansen, local train, bus, private coach, and taxi. The meals were always outstanding. It was apparent that all of this required excellent planning and coordination by the retreat|recreate team. Each day ran like clockwork. I very much look forward to a future tour with retreat|recreate. Robyn W – Japan Garden Tour, Nov 2025.
This was my fifth trip with retreat|recreate and my enthusiasm for their itineraries and unique experiences as a means to truly experience a country’s history and culture has not diminished in the least! This is the first time this particular tour has been offered … you would never had known had you not already known! Clearly meticulous planning led to a flawlessly executed itinerary. From viewing various types of gardens to spending an overnight at a monastery to soaking in the waters at a gorgeous onsen, every day held at least one highlight and choosing amongst them for a single one is simply impossible. From traditional Japanese flower arranging to finishing the braid at the base of a ceremonial tea whisk, the hands-on workshops fit perfectly with the theme. This trip also included visits to some hard-to-reach and little known museums as well as time to see the “must dos” of a trip to Japan. The only downside to this trip was that it ended! Susan K – Japan Garden Tour, Nov 2025.
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