Bloom Into Rest
April 8–18, 2026 · Kamakura · Tokyo · Premium Ryokan
A once-in-a-lifetime wellness and restoration experience at the peak of cherry blossom season. Join 10 Black women leaders for 7–10 days of radical rest, cultural immersion, and sisterhood in the breathtaking landscapes of springtime in Japan.
Reserve Your Spot✨ Limited to 10 women · Launch December 16 · Early Bird ends December 31
Your Sacred Journey
Cherry blossoms bloom for only two weeks each year—a gentle reminder that flourishing requires rest. This carefully curated itinerary honors that sacred timing.
Kamakura: Arrival & Grounding
Arrive at our private Kamakura home. Welcome ceremony, grounding rituals, and first sisterhood circle. Set intentions, and explore historic temples surrounded by lush greenery and ease into the week of sacred restoration.
- • Airport pickup and orientation
- • Welcome tea ceremony
- • First group circle
- • Settling into your home-away-from-home
Kamakura: Deep Immersion
Sink deeper into rest with morning meditations and workshops, followed by afternoon onsen rituals. Forest bathing beneath lush floral canopies creates space for spontaneous joy and sacred stillness.
- • Morning mindfulness and intention-setting
- • Onsen (hot spring) experience at nearby ryokan
- • Forest bathing in temple grounds
- • Evening storytelling circle
Kamakura: Integration & Reflection
Gentle mornings. Creative expression. Group integration circles. Beach walks along Shichirigahama. Optional yoga and embodied movement. A time and space to journal, nap... to be.
- • Beach meditation at sunrise (optional)
- • Creative workshop (writing, art, movement)
- • Personal reflection time
- • Group integration session
Tokyo: Shopping & Culture
Guided shopping excursion through Tokyo's vibrant neighborhoods. Small boutique experiences. Time to explore or rest as desired.
- • Harajuku and Shibuya exploration
- • Lunch in trendy Tokyo district
- • Free time for individual exploration
- • Visit to Imperial Palace East Gardens
- • Explore historic Asakusa and Senso-ji Temple
Atami/Hakone/Izu: Onsen Immersion
For 10-day participants: Extend your journey with two nights at a traditional onsen ryokan in Hakone or Izu. Private onsen baths, kaiseki meals, and deeper integration time. Cherry blossom viewing in pristine gardens. Farewell ceremony.
- • Extended rest and integration time
- • Private** onsen experiences
- • Award-winning kaiseki cuisine
- • Final cherry blossom meditation
- • Closing circle and farewell dinner
Departure: Renewed & Rooted
Depart carrying the gifts of rest, new connections, and the memory of cherry blossoms that reminded us: beauty is fleeting, but what we integrate endures.
- • Morning leisure time
- • Final reflections and gratitude circle
- • Airport transportation
- • Departure with renewed spirit
** When and where private onsens are available, but cannot always be guaranteed due to the setup of the ryokan, onsen or spa facility.
Curated Healing Experiences
Cherry Blossom Viewing
Peak sakura season. Daily viewing at temples, parks, and ryokan gardens. Capture once-in-a-lifetime beauty.
Daily Onsen Rituals
Traditional Japanese hot springs. Private bathing options. Healing mineral waters for deep restoration.
Forest Bathing
Guided walks through ancient groves. Breathwork beneath cherry blossom canopies. Nature as medicine.
Tea Ceremonies
Learn traditional Japanese tea preparation. Mindfulness through ritual. Seasonal sweets and meditation.
Kaiseki Cuisine
Multi-course seasonal Japanese dining. Art on every plate. Fresh, local ingredients prepared with care.
Rest as Resistance
Workshops on rest as liberation. Group circles. Embodied practices. Reclaiming joy as birthright.
Yoga & Meditation
Gentle morning practices. Evening wind-down sessions. Movement that honors your body's needs.
Sisterhood Circles
Intimate group of 10 Black women. Deep connections. Shared stories. Lifelong community.
What's Included
✨ All accommodations
✨ All meals & tea
✨ Daily programming
✨ Cultural activities
✨ Onsen access
✨ Transportation
✨ Welcome gifts
✨ Photography
✨ 24/7 host support
✨ Pre-retreat prep
✨ Digital resources
✨ Post-retreat integration
Investing in Your Rest
Choose between our 7-day Kamakura & Tokyo experience or extend to 10 days with an onsen immersion.
7-Day Experience
(flights included)
Includes:
- Roundtrip economy flights included from select US hubs to Tokyo, or a land-only credit if you prefer to book your own.
- 7 days / 6 nights at a private home in Kamakura, shared with an intimate cohort of 10 max.
- Daily breakfast, most dinners, curated lunches, snacks, tea, and water.
- All in-country transport during the retreat and all included activities.
- Daily group circles, somatic grounding, and curated culturally aligned workshops.
- One pre-trip group orientation call and one post-trip integration call.
10-Day Experience
(flights + onsen extension included)
Includes:
- Everything in the 7-Day Experience
- 3 additional nights at a traditional onsen ryokan in Hakone or Izu
- Private hot spring baths** and kaiseki meals
- Extended time for integration and deep rest
- Transportation to/from the ryokan included
- Additional guided reflection session
** When and where private onsens are available, but cannot always be guaranteed due to the setup of the ryokan, onsen or spa facility.
Payment Plans Available
💰 Pay in Full (Save $500!)
Pay by February 1, 2026 and receive $500 discount
💳 Three-Payment Plan
• Deposit: $3,000 (secures your spot)
• Second payment: February 15, 2026
• Final payment: March 15, 2026
🗓️ Important Dates
Early Bird Ends: December 31, 2025
Deposit Deadline: January 31, 2026
Final Payment: March 15, 2026
- •Minimum of 8 guests required; if not reached by January 31, 2026, all payments (including deposits) are fully refunded.
- •Before January 31, 2026: Deposit may be transferred to another qualified participant; additional payments refundable minus a 400 USD admin fee.
- •February 1 – February 28, 2026: Deposit is non‑refundable; 50% of additional payments refunded, 50% forfeited if you cancel in this window.
- •After March 1, 2026: No refunds; spot may be transferred to another participant with our approval.
- •We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers cancellation, medical care, and travel disruptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Meet Your Host
Dr. Dédé Tetsubayashi
Disability Advocate · Rest Revolutionary · AI Governance Expert
Cornell-educated strategist with 25+ years of experience across Fortune 100 & 500 companies, Dr. Dédé brings Japanese language fluency and lived experience in Japan to her work, grounding her approach in cultural respect, relational depth, and embodied understanding.
With an authentic, long-standing commitment to Black women's wellness and liberation, Dr. Dédé weaves together AI ethics and governance, disability justice, and transformative wellness to create spaces where Black women—particularly those from marginalized and disabled communities—can rest without guilt, reconnect with joy, and return to their work renewed and resourced.
"In a world that demands our constant productivity, rest is a revolutionary act. I've spent years in Japan learning that rest isn't weakness—it's wisdom. Join me to reclaim your right to bloom, rest, and rise."
What People Are Saying
"This retreat changed my life. I arrived exhausted and left renewed. The cherry blossoms, the sisterhood, the permission to just BE—it was everything I didn't know I needed."
— Jasmine, Entrepreneur
"I've traveled the world, but nothing prepared me for the magic of this experience. The combination of rest, culture, and community was profound. I'm still carrying it with me."
— Dr. Michelle, Professor
"As a Black woman who's always 'on,' this retreat gave me permission to turn off. The cherry blossoms reminded me that beauty is fleeting and so is this precious life. Time to rest."
— Aisha, Creative Director
Reserve Your Spot
Cherry blossoms wait for no one. Only 10 spots available. Secure yours now.
Questions? Let's Talk.
📧 Email: info@dr-dede.com
🌐 Website: rar.dr-dede.com
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-dede