The Japanese Beauty Retreat in Arima Onsen

A Special Early Summer Retreat in the Tranquil Mountain Village of Arima, Hyogo

July 6 - 9th, 2026

Just one hour from Osaka and Kyoto, nestled in the mountain side of Kobe, lies a quiet traditional onsen village of Arima.

In the early days of summer, we will gather here to immerse ourselves in the Japanese philosophy of beauty, staying in a rare 350-year-old former temple turned intimate art guesthouse. Together, we will soak in Arima’s golden mineral waters, experience timeless beauty rituals, savor nourishing seasonal cuisine, and enjoy an extraordinary private geisha performance, a privilege rarely witnessed, even in Japan. A place of renewal for centuries, Arima Onsen invites us to rest, restore, and reconnect with beauty in its purest form.

This is an intimate retreat hosted by Emmie (yoga teacher, writer & founder of The Daily Rest) and Tomoko (aesthetician and founder of Glow by Tomoko) where each participant has the opportunity for both connection and quiet spaciousness.

I recently visited the ryokan (traditional inn) with Emmie to personally experience and review every detail, and we truly cannot wait to share its beauty with you. It is an incredibly beautiful and serene space, and each activity has been thoughtfully curated in collaboration with local temples, monks, and the historic inn.

The onsen itself is breathtaking, unique, tranquil, and deeply restorative.

I am so looking forward to sharing this special experience with you this summer. 

To learn more about the retreat and reserve your place, please visit this link.

The password to access the site is: beauty

Lear More about the Beauty Retreat

password: beauty

The Beauty Retreat Program in Hyogo, Japan

Our program is thoughtfully curated to nourish both inner and outer beauty. Throughout our time together, you will enjoy seasonal meals crafted from local produce, gentle yoga and meditation focused on deep relaxation and radiance, temple Zen meditation, and a special Buddhist art experience followed by Shojin Ryori — traditional Japanese Buddhist cuisine rooted in mindfulness and non-violence. Evenings will include an intimate skincare and gua sha ritual.

We will also explore the local town, share a poetry writing session, and experience a rare private geisha performance, with ample time for bathing, deep rest, and connection.

This retreat is an invitation to reconnect and restore through the Japanese philosophy of beauty. Immersed in nature, sacred spaces, and Arima’s medicinal thermal waters, you will be fully cared for, allowing your natural luminosity to return.

We will gather on the afternoon of July 6th for a slow welcome dinner and evening skincare ritual. Our full program begins on the 7th and concludes after breakfast on July 9th.

Your retreat package includes accommodation, all meals, scheduled activities, and travel insurance for the duration of the retreat.

JPY 360,000

To secure your spot, please visit the link below.

Reserve Your Spot

password: beauty

The History & Spirit of Arima Onsen

Hyogo Prefecture is located just next to Osaka, yet it offers a completely different pace. With centuries-old castles, serene coastlines, and mountain ranges, Hyogo is a place where history and nature are beautifully intertwined.

I am originally from Hyogo and spent my childhood through high school there. It is deeply personal to me, which makes it truly special to share its beauty this way.

The port city of Kobe, in particular, has long been a meeting place of cultures. As one of Japan's first ports to open to international trade in the 19th century, Kobe developed an open, refined spirit, a gentle blending of Japanese tradition with subtle international influence. You can feel this harmony in the architecture and small details of the historic inn where we will be staying.

Tucked into the mountains just beyond Kobe lies Arima Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest and most revered hot spring towns, with a history said to span over 1,300 years. It is even mentioned in ancient texts such as the Nihon Shoki, Japan’s early historical chronicles, dating back to 631. For centuries, nobles, monks, and travelers have come here seeking rest and healing.

Arima is especially known for its rare mineral composition. Its copper- and iron-rich waters, known as Kin-sen (gold spring), emerge in brown color and are believed to support circulation and vitality. The clear, radium- and carbonate-rich Gin-sen (silver spring) is prized for its gentle, soothing qualities. Few hot spring regions in Japan offer both types of therapeutic waters in one place.

As you soak in thermal waters that have flowed from the earth for 6 million years, you are invited to surrender to nature, to history, and to a rhythm of life that gently awakens beauty from within.

A Note from Tomoko

As many of you might already know, I specialize in a personalized approach to healthy, glowing skin. At my salon, Glow by Tomoko, I blend aesthetic expertise with results-oriented, individualized care, combining advanced Japanese skincare actives and devices with time-honored beauty rituals and traditional ingredients from Japan. My approach is rooted in thoughtful skin analysis, gentle touch, and rituals designed to bring out a glow that reflects your inner beauty.

But my work with beauty has never been only about exceptional products, the newest devices, or multi-step routines. What continues to inspire me is witnessing the profound impact that healthy, glowing skin can have on someone’s daily life. Our skin is our largest organ and our first line of defense against the world around us. Caring for it not only strengthens that barrier, but also boosts confidence, softens how we move through the world, and often creates a ripple effect of positivity in other areas of life. This is what I hope to create for everyone I work with.

For many years, skincare has been the ritual that allowed me to slow down and reconnect with myself.  I felt the difference not only in my skin, but in my perspective on life. That experience became the foundation of my dedication to helping others discover the same sense of calm, confidence, and glow through their own skin.

To me, beauty becomes real when it reflects from the inside out, when our outer glow mirrors our inner sparkle. Skincare, and the simple act of caring for our face, is a ritual that invites us to pause, to touch our skin with intention, and to nourish ourselves amid busy lives. These mindful moments have the power to transform how we feel, how we carry ourselves, and how we show up in the world.

Whenever I step into the stillness of a retreat, the noise of everyday life quiets, and I  can hear myself again. Retreats have supported and reset me during times when I felt rushed, overwhelmed, or uncertain. They taught me that beauty is not something we chase. It's something we reveal when we nurture ourselves sincerely. When we step away from our usual environments, we step closer to ourselves. We listen differently. We breathe differently. We glow differently.

My wish for this retreat is: that each person leaves not only with softer, glowing skin and a calmer nervous system, but with a deeper connection to their own inner beauty, one that shines through their skin and in the way they carry themselves back into daily life.

Whether I am working in my studio in Tokyo or guiding you on retreat, my intention is always the same: to help you reconnect with the inner glow that has always been yours.

FAQs

How do I get there?

Our retreat house can be easily reached from Osaka, Kyoto or Kobe. We will be in touch with exact access instructions prior to the retreat!

What is your cancellation policy?

All deposits are non-refundable.

In the case you are unable to join the retreat, please do let us know with as much notice as possible.

If you payment is not made by the due date, we will be unable to confirm your participation in the retreat.

What if I have dietary restrictions?

The ryokan where we will be staying is pleased to offer vegetarian and vegan options upon request. We are happy to communicate your preferences in advance to ensure a comfortable and nourishing experience for you.

For any additional questions about The Beauty Retreat, please feel free to message me at any time.

I’m so excited to be organizing this special retreat in July in my home prefecture of Hyogo, and looking forward to welcoming you there!