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Nov. 3, 2025
Mindfulness tourism took place at Kikuchi Valley in Kikuchi City, Kumamoto Prefecture. We offered the ultimate retreat in the clear streams of nature to maximize mental and physical performance. Leaving the noise of daily life behind, participants enjoyed a special experience that sharpened the five senses while feeling the breath of nature. We practiced mindfulness walking incorporating meditation and breathing techniques. Participants walked Kikuchi Valley together with a head priest. At each spot, people quietly faced nature by lying on rocks or sitting in zazen. In the calm atmosphere, participants refreshed their minds and bodies and found new insights. On the first day we held “Mindfulness Walking and Tea Ceremony.” A tea master conducted a tea ceremony within Kikuchi Valley. The ceremony used water from Kikuchi Valley. In the tranquil morning space, participants calmed their minds and quietly enjoyed delicious tea. On the second day participants experienced “Mindfulness Walking and Breakfast.” They ate breakfast in a crisp morning setting while sensing nature. They enjoyed the meal in a relaxed and peaceful state. The dishes used the soft water of Kikuchi Valley and featured donabe-cooked rice and local ingredients from Kikuchi. Everyone seemed to enjoy the program. Walking in the morning and touching nature helped them forget work worries and busyness. The tea ceremony’s preparation soothed tired bodies, and the sound of the clear stream sharpened both hearing and taste. Meditating in nature while listening to the babbling river and cool air felt pleasant. Newly harvested rice cooked in a clay pot and nameko mushroom soup warmed body and soul. The dishes were carefully prepared and truly delicious, leaving participants fully satisfied. We received many similar comments. It was a luxurious time to experience Kikuchi’s food, nature, and moments of self-reflection with all the senses. Rather than letting a day pass unnoticed, participants were able to spend time in nature solely for themselves.