The season of spring must first be emptied before it can be properly welcomed. It is a time to let go of the old, awaken the senses, and slowly restore the body and mind. A space for that time quietly exists deep in the forests of Awaji Island, Japan.
The Korean wellness brand Tea House Jeolgi(jeolgi_) and the meditation resort Zenbo Seinei in Awaji Island, Japan, have joined hands to co-host a 2-night, 3-day spring retreat 'Yangchun Gajeol' from April 18 to 20, 2026.
Zenbo Seinei, a wooden meditation space floating above the forest
Zenbo Seinei is not just a simple wellness accommodation. Completed in 2022, this building is a work designed by Pritzker Prize winner Shigeru Ban, one of the highest honors in architecture, and is an artistic experience in itself.
Located on the northern ridge of Awaji Island, Zenbo Seinei is designed as a long, slender wooden structure that seems to rise above the trees. Supported by just two steel columns, the space elegantly spans over the forest, measuring a total length of 90 meters. With 85% of the building made of wood, the moment you enter the space, the warm and tranquil embrace of the wood envelops your entire body.
Outside the building, a 100-meter-long wooden observation deck extends, allowing you to walk barefoot on Japanese cedar and feel the warmth and scent of the wood throughout your body. From the deck, a 360-degree view unfolds, showcasing the great nature of Awaji Island, where meditation and yoga sessions take place on this stage.
In accordance with Shigeru Ban's design philosophy, the interior is finished with restrained natural wood lines without excessive decoration, and large glass openings allow natural light to pour in. The entire space gives a feeling of blending into the vast nature, providing visitors with deep tranquility.
Operating based on the philosophy of Zen, this space offers a variety of wellness programs throughout the year, including seated meditation, yoga, meditation, and Zen cooking, establishing itself as a destination sought by healing travelers from around the world.
A spring journey themed 'Emptiness', Yangchun Gajeol
The name of this retreat, Yangchun Gajeol, means 'warm and good spring season'. The theme is 'emptiness'. It is a journey to step back from the fast pace of daily life that seeks to fill quickly, slowly inhaling the warmth of spring and recovering the senses.
Tea House Jeolgi is a brand that interprets Korea's seasonal culture and tea culture in a modern wellness language. During this retreat, wellness classes centered around tea will be conducted, along with a singing bowl session that purifies inner vibrations through sound.
Especially, a special highlight of this program will be a dance performance by the Seoul City Dance Company set against a 360-degree forest backdrop. The dance expressed through the body in nature becomes a meditation in itself.
On a wooden deck surrounded by a 360-degree forest, filled with the scent of tea, sound, dance, and breath, a 2-night, 3-day experience awaits. It is a time for the hurried body and mind to find their rhythm of recovery.
Basic Information about the Retreat
Schedule: April 18 (Saturday) to April 20 (Monday), 2026, 2 nights and 3 days
Location: Zenbo Seinei (2594-5 Kusumoto, Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan)
Participation Fee: 2,200,000 KRW (excluding airfare, includes the entire schedule after arrival at Kobe Airport)
Organizer: Tea House Jeolgi(jeolgi_) × Zenbo Seinei(zenbo_seinei)
The entire journey, including transportation from Kobe Airport to Zenbo Seinei, is packaged, allowing you to focus on a complete retreat without burden even in unfamiliar Japan.
For those who do not rush spring
You have already been busy enough and filled enough. Now it is time to empty a little. In a space surrounded by a 360-degree forest, walking barefoot on a deck infused with the scent of wood, it is a time to welcome spring with a cup of tea. The Yangchun Gajeol retreat is an invitation for those who desire such a spring.