Master Level Course & Japanese Cultural Immersion
As you already know, Reiki is a Japanese Spiritual Practice developed in the early twentieth century in Japan. Its aim is to maintain or restore balance and to provide spiritual wellbeing. With Shinto, Taoist and Buddhist roots, it is based on the transmission of Ki (vital energy) through the hands and meditation.

Reiki has become very popular in the West, mainly because Reiki is a discipline that can be practiced by anyone and does not require or endorse any particular religious belief. However, in order to have a deeper –and real– comprehension of Reiki, it is important to know the historical and social context in which it was born.

We have organized the “Reiki Master Level Course in Japan” in Tono, a small jewel still preserved from the chaos of major touristic destinations. The retreat has been thoughtfully planned to give to the Reiki practitioners and lovers a life time experience.

We will hold Reiki classes and meditation for 3 hours daily in an astonishing traditional Japanese location; we will immerse in the Japanese culture and folklore in one of the few places that still keeps these traditions alive. We will celebrate the Tea Ceremony, discover the legends of the Gods of the mountains, visit shrines, practice Kagura Dance, share our time and thoughts with local artisans and shop owners, enjoy the beauty of Nature during spring time and even help local farmers on their rice fields…

Once in Tono, you will immerse yourself in the unknown Japan.

Program

Day 0 – May 14th (Thursday)
• Arrival in Tokyo (Narita or Haneda International airport)
• Purchase of JR EAST PASS
• Transfer to downtown Tokyo
• Free time and overnight in Tokyo

Day 1 – May 15th
8.00h Meeting with Jordi Ibern at UENO TRAIN STATION
8.54h Shinkansen (bullet train) to SHINHANAMAKI/TONO
13.05h Arrival in Tono
13.30h Lunch at Soba Restaurant ITOKE
15.00h Guided visit of Tono’s MUNICIPAL MUSEUM (focus on Tono’s Spirits and Spirituality)
17.00h CHECK-IN at B&B KURANOYA
19.00h Welcome dinner at Washoku restaurant ABEYA with members of the community
Overnight stay at B&B KURANOYA

Day 2 – May 16th
7.00h Breakfast at B&B KURANOYA
8.00h Transfer to Takashimizu Mountain for panoramic view of Tono
9.30-12.30h Reiki class GODONOSATOYAMA
12.30h Traditional lunch prepared by the AOZASA community
Guided visit of GODONOSATOYAMA complex
Tea ceremony by Master Eiko Kikuchi
17.00h Guided visit of Tono’s city center and talk with shop owners
19.00h Dinner at IZAKAYA DEN
Overnight stay at B&B KURANOYA

Day 3 – May 17th
7.30h Breakfast at B&B KURANOYA
9.00-12.00h Reiki class GODONOSATOYAMA
12.30h Lunch at DENSHOEN
14.00h “THE LEGENDS OF TONO AND THE GODS OF THE MOUNTAINS” fieldwork by “to know”
18.00h Dinner with the KOMEDORI Village Community
Overnight stay at B&B KURANOYA

Day 4 – May 18th
7.30h Breakfast at B&B KURANOYA
9.30-12.30h Reiki class at HAYACHINE NATURE SCHOOL
Lunch in the canteen of the former TSUKIMOUSHI Primary School
Visit of HAYACHINE SHRINE, walk around Hayachine Mountain
16.00h Transfer to AGRITURISMO OOMORI
Co-preparation of traditional local food & dinner
Overnight stay at B&B KURANOYA

Day 5 – May 19th
7.30h Breakfast at B&B KURANOYA
9.30-12.30h Reiki class GODONOSATOYAMA
Traditional lunch prepared by the AOZASA community
14.00h Transfer to Miyamori
Visit of ceramic atelier YAKUSHIGAMA and hearing of artist KAZUYOSHI
18.00h Dinner
Overnight stay at B&B KURANOYA

Day 6 – May 20th
7.30h Breakfast at B&B KURANOYA & check-out
9.30-12.30h Reiki class GODONOSATOYAMA
12.30h Traditional lunch prepared by the AOZASA community
15.00h Transfer to Kamigo, check-in at SOZUKURITEI
Free time (cycling or walking around the area)
Co-cooking and dinner with Kikukosan
Overnight stay at SOZUKURITEI FARM HOUSE

Day 7 – May 21st
7.30H Breakfast at SOZUKURITEI
9.30-12.30h Reiki class GODONOSATOYAMA or ROKKOSHI shrine
12.30h Obentou style lunch
14.00h Transfer to Souzounotei, preparation of Chinese medicine based herb teas
Co-cooking and dinner
20.00h KAGURA DANCE training class
Overnight stay at SOZUKURITEI FARM HOUSE

Day 8 – May 22nd
7.30h Breakfast at SOZUKURITEI
9.30-12.30h Reiki class GODONOSATOYAMA
Traditional lunch prepared by the AOZASA community
Tea ceremony by Master Eiko Kikuchi
14.30h Rice Fields Farm Work with Youtarousan
18.30h Farewell dinner at YO
Overnight stay at YO

Day 9 – May 23rd
7.30h Breakfast at YO
9.15h Departure by train to Tokyo
End of the Reiki Master Level Trip to Japan 2020

Participation fees and conditions
The cost of participating in the “Reiki Master Level Trip to Japan” is 2950€ per participant.

The participation fee includes:
– Meeting in Tokyo
– Transport from-to Tokyo/Tono (by bullet train & local train)
– Transport in Tono
– 8 nights’ accommodation in Tono (all in Japanese style shared room)
– All breakfasts, lunches and dinners in Tono (8 days)
– All guided visits and Workshops
– 2 Tea ceremonies
– Coordination and interpretation support
– Reiki Master Level Course
– Booklet and Diploma
– USB with Reiki 1, 2 and 3 booklets, diplomas, symbols and necessary information to teach Reiki

* The participation fee does not include:
– Return flight from-to country of origin
– Accommodation and meals in Tokyo
– Extra drinks (it’s recommended not to drink alcohol during the trip)
– Any personal expenses or anything not specifically included in the program.

The participation fee is calculated on a minimum of 7 and a maximum of 10 participants and it is subject to adjustments due to possible fluctuations in the Yen/Euro exchange rate or to limited participation.

Application
To guarantee your place, we kindly request you to pay a registration deposit (10% of the participation fee or 300€) by December 15th 2019.

The remaining amount must be paid no later than March 1st 2020.

Cancellation Policy
This is a tailor made cultural experience, especially designed for reiki lovers who want to become Reiki teachers, in a unique setting.

Since this program is not a commercial activity of a travel agency, we are unable to cover last minute cancellations. Therefore, the strict cancellation policy below applies to all participants:
– Registration deposits (300€) are non-refundable after March 15th 2020
– Cancellations made before March 15th 2020: a refund of the 50% of the participation fee (exclusive of the registration fee or any bank charges)
– Cancellations after March 15th 2020: will incur in a 100% charge of the participation fee.

We highly appreciate your understanding and collaboration on this matter.

Insurance and VISA
Participants are requested to contract a travel insurance before their arrival in Japan. Non EU citizens are responsible for obtaining a proper TOURIST VISA valid for Japan.

Additional Information
– This is a draft program subject to changes. The final program will be confirmed at the latest two weeks prior to departure.

– Visits have been specifically chosen because of their relationship with the Japanese Culture and lifestyle that existed when Usui Sensei founded the Reiki Method. We might have to change/switch days or activities depending on the weather.

– Visits have been planned to be able to enjoy each place with plenty of time.

– To maintain a consistent attitude with the Reiki course and the sacred places we will visit, I strongly recommend not to drink alcohol or to make excesses during the whole trip.

– Although not essential, I recommend the group to always be together, so we can share every moment and every experience in this unique journey.

– Teachings and explanations will be done in English and Spanish since not all the classmates speak a common  language. We would appreciate your understanding of the small inconveniences that a bilingual class may have.

– Rooms are shared, double or triple, Japanese style (futon mattress on tatami mats).

– Breakfasts, lunches and dinners, included in the price of the trip, will be in different places and restaurants. If you have any food intolerance or are on a specific diet, please let us know in advance.

– In Japan it is normal to use cash. Especially in the countryside payments by credit cards are rarely accepted. If you wish to do some shopping, please do not forget to bring cash. Once in Japan, you can withdraw money with major international credit cards at designated convenience stores.

Tono (Iwate)
Tono is a lovely town located about 500 Km North East from Tokyo and connected by bullet trains and direct national and international flights to nearby Hanamaki Airport.

Tono has 70.000 years long history. Archeological finds witness the presence of human settlements in the Tono valley dating back seventy thousands years, among Japan’s oldest. Unconfirmed sources, state that the valley was a lake up to the glacial era, the remain of that orography being still visible in the large number of rivers and streams crossing the Tono valley even today.

The world Tono (literally: “faraway field”) is recorded for the first time during the reign of the Yoshiwara family who controlled Hiraizumi and neighbouring areas in the late Heian period (XII century).

According to the cultural anthropologist Kanori Inu, the name of Tono may come from the Ainu word tonuppu, “lake above mountains”.

Tono is acknowledged, nationally and internationally, as the cradle of Japanese folktales, stories orally transmitted for centuries. It also counts on over 50 local performing groups, specialised in shishiodori, kagura, sansa or nanbubayashi folk ritual dances, some of them acknowledged as UNESCO’s intangible
world heritage.

Tono’s horse and gastronomy culture is also very well known, but what describe’s better Tono’s people is their resilence and charm. Tono’s inhabitans are welcoming people; their open mindedness, friendly and welcoming attitude will make you feel at home!

Organization Team
The “Reiki Master Level Trip to Japan 2020” is organised and directed by Jordi Ibern from Kisetsu, Reiki and Meditation School, designed and coordinated locally by Renata Piazza, with the support of NPO Tono Natural Life Network.

How to sign up
Please, send an email to info@jordiibern.com to receive all the information and to save your spot.
t. +34 692 046 404 (Jordi).