Cranial Retreat with Gary in Japan!

May 23 – June 3, 2026 | Sasayama, Japan

We warmly invite you to a rare and immersive Craniosacral Unwinding Retreat in Japan, taught by Gary Strauss, with Japanese–English interpretation by Kyoko Hayashi.

This retreat represents the culmination of over 20 years of Gary Strauss’s teaching in Japan, offering a unique opportunity to study almost the entire Craniosacral Unwinding system in one coherent, intensive retreat.

The Place

The retreat is held in a 200-year-old traditional Japanese kominka, restored as a dojo for embodied learning.
Surrounded by forests, waterfalls, temples, shrines, and hot springs, this environment allows the work to be integrated naturally into daily life.

Teaching & Interpretation

  • Teaching: Gary Strauss
  • Interpretation: Kyoko Hayashi (Japanese ⇄ English)

Program Overview

Week 1

  • Craniosacral Unwinding I – 2 days
  • Craniosacral Unwinding II – 2 days
  • Craniosacral Unwinding III – 2 days

Experiences during Week 1 include:

  • Walks to nearby forests and waterfalls
  • A visit to a traditional onsen (hot spring) after class
  • A full-day cultural excursion:
    • Visit to a Shinto shrine
    • Visit to a Buddhist temple
    • Exploration of the historic Sasayama Castle area

Week 2

  • Cranial Anatomy & Listening Skills II – 2 days
  • Craniosacral Unwinding IV & V – 3 days

Additional experiences during Week 2:

  • A hike to a large natural cave
  • Another visit to the hot springs after class

Important note:
Prior to the retreat, participants must complete:

Accommodation & Meals

  • Accommodation and most meals are included for the retreat period
  • Meals are prepared with care and simplicity
  • Please inform us in advance of any special dietary requirements

Please note:

  • Hot spring (onsen) entrance fees are not included
  • Meals taken at restaurants during outings are not included
    (Participants will cover these expenses individually)

Retreat Cost

USD $3,097

The fee includes:

  • All in-person classes in Japan
  • Accommodation and most meals
  • Transportation to and from the airport
  • Cultural day trip to temples, shrines, and the castle town

Not included:

 

Optional:  for students who wish to stay longer and explore more of Japan – Nara, Kyoto and more – we can work this out.