The Art of Slowing Down Experience

Nestled in the rolling hills of southern Kyoto Prefecture, Wazuka is a picturesque village known as "Teatopia"—a title earned from its 800-year legacy of tea cultivation.

Stepping into Wazuka is like stepping into a painting—endless rows of lush green tea bushes weave across the hills, offering breathtaking views at every turn.

Beyond its deep-rooted tea heritage, Wazuka embodies a way of life that embraces slowness, sustainability, and deep connection to nature. The rhythms of daily life are dictated by the land, fostering a harmonious balance between tradition and mindful living.

Our retreat is carefully curated to help you breathe deeply, savor the moment, and connect with the wisdom of nature. In this tranquil setting, you’ll experience the gentle pace of life that has shaped generations of tea farmers, rediscovering the beauty of simplicity and stillness.

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Tea Farms

Experience the heart of Wazuka’s tea culture with a guided tour to a local tea farm. Learn from a skilled tea farmer, walk through lush tea fields, and taste freshly brewed Uji tea as you gain insight into the art of tea cultivation.

We will also take a leisure hike to the breathtaking Ishitera Tea Fields, where the rolling green landscape blends seamlessly with the sky. This iconic spot is renowned for its surreal beauty, as the endless rows of vibrant tea plants stretch toward the horizon, dissolving into the sky above. Here, the harmony between land and sky creates a dreamlike, serene atmosphere that invites reflection and peace.

After an invigorating walk, reward yourself with a delicious, locally-made matcha gelato and tea sweets, savoring the flavors while soaking in the majestic panoramic views of Wazuka’s tea plantations.

This is your moment to pause, reflect, and immerse in nature’s beauty.

Macrobiotic Cooking Class

Immerse yourself in the art of macrobiotic cooking with Ikuko Blodgett, who emphasizes a harmonious balance between food and nature.

In this hands-on class, you'll learn to prepare meals using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, fostering a deep connection to the environment and promoting holistic well-being.

Treetop Sound Bath

The Heavenly Café at Tree Top offers a mesmerizing panoramic view of the village, making it the perfect sanctuary for a deeply restorative sound bath session.

Led by Mei, this session will guide you through vibrational healing techniques, using soothing frequencies to help align your mind and body.

Let the resonance of sound waves wash over you as you breathe in the fresh mountain air, experiencing true stillness and tranquility.

Shigaraki Pottery Town

Discover the rich cultural tapestry of Shigaraki Pottery Town, one of Japan's oldest ceramic centers, where artisans have been crafting distinctive pottery for centuries.

Visit the Miho Museum, an architectural masterpiece nestled in the Shigaraki mountains. The museum seamlessly blends art, nature, and architecture, offering a tranquil retreat for art enthusiasts.

While there, indulge in a holistic wellness lunch at the museum's café, which emphasizes natural and locally sourced ingredients, providing a nourishing culinary experience.

Pause, Reflect, Grow Workshop: How slowing down enhances self-awareness

In today’s fast-paced world, taking a moment to slow down can significantly impact our mental well-being and clarity of thought. To identify your purpose, one needs to explore the self at a deep level. Self-awareness leads to learning and ultimately to change.

We look to explore in this workshop, the deeply rooted subconscious traits we carry, and how to tap into the new beginning. We will explore our shadow and persona and learn that slowing down will raise our awareness and lead to meaningful change.

This session will be led by Carmen Schwender, Founder of En Pointe Institute. Carmen brings a vast experience from her performing arts background as a professional ballet dancer in New York, and over 20 years in finance across multiple businesses globally.

Her recent graduation from INSEAD with an Executive Masters in Change has opened her horizons to explore the self at a deeper level as well as becoming an agent of change for others.

DAY 01

Immersion

WELCOME TO TEATOPIA

Arrive at Blodge Lodge in Wazuka via Kamo sttaion and be welcomed with a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony.

Visit the Kitayama Cedar Tree at Yasaka Shrine.

COOKING WORKSHOP

Explore Macrobiotic Cooking with Ikuko.

DAY 03

Healing & Culture

SOUND BATH

Start your day with a homemade nourishing breakfast by Ikuko.

SHIGARAKI TOWN VISIT

Take a slow walk to Heavenly Tree Top Cafe for a healing Sound Bath &

Gratitude Tea gathering.

Visit the neighboring Shigaraki Pottery Town and immerse the beautiful Miho Museum, where you will also get to enjoy a wellness lunch.

The day ends with dinner at a local Wazuka restaurant.

DAY 02

Tea & Nature

TEA FARM

Start your day with a homemade nourishing breakfast by Ikuko.

Visit a Tea Farm, then enjoy a Bento Picnic.

NATURE HIKE

Take a hike to Ishitera Tea Fields and indulge in Matcha Gelato while soaking in the view.

For dinner, indulge in Ikuko’s signature tea-infused pizzas.

PAUSE, REFLECT, GROW

We will end the night with a Pause, Reflect, Grow workshop by Carmen Schwender.

DAY 04

Reflections

MEDITATIVE YOGA

Begin with a meditative morning yoga, led by Mei.

CHECK OUT & FAREWELL

Followed by final breakfast & reflections.

Check out and transfer to Kamo station.

THE FLOW

Meet the Slow Down Campers

Join us for a soul-nourishing journey of mindfulness, nature, tea, and self love.

Founder

Mei Lee

Mei is an internationally certified Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher for Children and the founder of Slow Down Camp. She spent her 20s chasing success, her 30s achieving it, and her 40s realizing that true joy isn’t found in the next milestone, but in slowing down and embracing the present. Her journey through motherhood, supporting her mother’s late-life divorce, and facing a health scare reshaped her understanding of well-being. Having battled burnout and the weight of expectations, she found healing in yoga, pilates, sound therapy, and nature. Slow Down Camp is her way of paying it forward—offering others the space to pause, heal, and rediscover life’s simple joys.

Experience Curator

Julie Wang

A self-professed tea geek, Julie has practiced the art of tea for over 10 years. Her first visit to Wazuka 7 years ago sparked a lifelong connection, drawing her back repeatedly to embrace its slow rhythms and deepening her affinity with tea. By day, she is a digital marketing trainer, but Wazuka offered an escape from corporate burnout, revealing the healing power of slow living. Now, she curates experiences that invite participants to step away from the rush and connect through mindfulness experiences.

Founder of En Pointe Institute

Carmen Schwender

En Pointe Institute was born from Carmen’s journey of self-discovery and her first career as a professional ballet dancer in New York City. The name "En Pointe," a ballet term for balancing on the tips of the toes, symbolizes excellence, precision, and mastery—qualities Carmen embodies. With over 20 years in finance, she brings expertise in leadership, management, mentoring, and high-performance sales to her coaching practice. Viewing life as a dance, she believes in self-expression, growth, and performing our best. She advocates for slowing down, nurturing well-being, and savoring life’s meaningful moments.