Multi-Day SAORI Retreat
(only at SAORINOMORI in Izumi)
Take a break from the busyness of everyday life to connect with your inner creative self and join us at SAORINOMORI in Izumi, Osaka for a 12-, 7- or 3-Day SAORI Retreat. Each retreat includes overnight accommodations in our conveniently located Weavers’ Condo and focuses on providing a relaxed and inspired environment as well as the support and resources for participants to immerse themselves in all aspects of SAORI. Here, weavers can discover and cultivate their unique sensibilities and to learn from and connect with others.
Retreats are limited to a maximum capacity of 2 people so that we can offer each participant enough individualized attention and a comfortable stay. We do not follow any set curricula but rather make preparations based on the information supplied by visitors and length of their chosen retreat. Upon arrival, we work closely with each participant to organically determine the experience of each day. They can learn about the SAORI philosophy, practice at their own pace through weaving, warping, clothes-making and interacting with other visitors and our staff, and enjoy the time and space within the studio as a whole. While retreat lengths will naturally affect the time available for hands-on learning, we hope to encourage participants not to focus on any finite expectations or results but instead be fully present to each moment and the quality of experience, no matter the length of time you are spending here.
The session fees cover hands-on guidance as well as access for participants to practice and weave on their own using all of the equipment, material and resources available at the studio. Some days may involve longer hours of hands-on guidance while other days may involve more free weaving and observation. Although such time may seem less hands-on, we believe it is also very important and valuable for developing new possibilities from the seeds of what we learn and cultivating our practices of SAORI.
In this retreat, each participant develops their own SAORI practice, accompanied by a Retreat Host, who, as needed, supports the learning experience alongside participants and coordinates with the team. You can learn more about our Retreat Hosts on the Our People page. The retreat is supported by a team of Japanese instructors, who are also practitioners, working together in a shared space for practice and learning.
We welcome all individuals who identify with the philosophy of SAORI and are interested in deepening, or even just beginning to explore, their own practices of self-discovery and self-innovation.
In SAORI, we do not distinguish between levels of proficiency. While it may be “easy” to start weaving, we believe that challenging and expanding our ways of thinking and nurturing our creative potential is an ongoing process of learning that requires continuous practice.
No previous experience with SAORI or weaving is required; only a positive attitude and an open mind and heart. Wherever you are in your journey with SAORI, we believe your practice and the possibilities for inspiration and transformation are endless!
SAORI Retreat Dates & Details
Our 3-day, 7-day, and 12-day SAORI Retreats are offered on selected dates, with the duration of each retreat specified in our annual schedule. Please choose from the scheduled retreat sessions available.
If you need to adjust the scheduled period of a 7-day or 12-day retreat, we may be able to accommodate a change of up to three days, subject to operational availability. As a general rule, the scheduled start date cannot be changed. If an adjustment is made, the Retreat Fee will be recalculated according to the revised retreat period, and an additional adjustment fee may apply in some cases.
1-Day Visitors’ Classes may be available even when multi-day retreats are not offered. If none of the scheduled retreat sessions fits your travel plans, we would be grateful if you could consider joining a 1-Day Visitors’ Class instead.
The nature of our operations requires advance coordination with multiple parties.
Therefore, we do not maintain a cancellation waitlist and cannot accept new reservations or changes within two months of the retreat start date.
SAORI Retreat Schedule (April 2027 – March 2028)
April 11–24 (12-day)
Tentatively reserved since May 2026
Currently unavailable for new bookings
May 11–18 (7-day)
Tentatively reserved since June 2026
Currently unavailable for new bookings
June 11–18 (7-day)
Tentatively reserved since August 2026
Currently unavailable for new bookings
September 11–18 (7-day)
Tentatively reserved since April 2026
Currently unavailable for new bookings
October 11–24 (12-day)
2 spots available
November 11–18 (7-day)
2 spots available
December 16–18 (3-day)
2 spots available
February 17–19 (3-day)
2 spots available
Please note that SAORI Retreats are not offered in January or August each year.
No multi-day SAORI Retreats are offered outside the dates listed above.
Availability Updates:
Scheduled retreat sessions and availability may be subject to change due to operational circumstances. Thank you for your kind understanding.
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Fully Booked or Closed Windows (2026)
The following retreat sessions are fully booked or no longer accepting new reservations. We include this past booking data to help visitors understand when reservations tend to fill up—especially during popular seasons.
March 2026 (booking closed in January 2026)
April 2026 (fully booked in February 2026)
May 2026 (fully booked in January 2026)
June 2026 (fully booked in December 2025)
July 2026 (fully booked in May 2026)
September 2026 (fully booked in April 2026)
October 2026 (fully booked in April 2026)
November 2026 (fully booked in January 2026)
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Location: SAORINOMORI in Izumi
Retreat Start: 2pm on the first day of each session
Retreat End: 4pm on the last day of each session
General Studio Hours: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Retreat Rest Days: 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th and 30th of each month
Maximum Capacity per Session: 2 people
Minimum Participant Age: 18 years or older or accompanied by a parent/guardian
Language: Held in Japanese & English
Check-In Procedure: Participants should arrive on the first day of their scheduled session and find their ways to the studio for check-in. We welcome participants to arrive between 10:00am and 2:00pm on that day to settle into their rooms and explore the surroundings. Please note that each SAORI Retreat and any weaving as part of the session will officially begin at 2:00pm so that we can introduce the session and take a moment for all participants and staff to meet and begin together.
Check-Out Procedure: We ask that participants check out of the accommodations and bring their keys to the studio during open hours by 4:00pm on the last day of their scheduled session when each SAORI Retreat officially ends.
Studio Hours: Our studio opens at 10:00 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m. Starting from the second day of each SAORI Retreat, sessions begin at 10:00 a.m. Participants are welcome to explore their SAORI journeys during our studio hours. Please note that the session on the last day ends at 4:00 p.m. for the check-out procedure.
Retreat Rest Days: No weaving session is available on the 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th and 30th of each month. SAORI Retreat participants will have free time on these rest days. If the retreat schedule includes any of these rest days, we basically extend the duration of the SAORI Retreat for additional accommodation fees as necessary.
[Retreat Rest Day – Weaving Day Option]
Our designated Retreat Rest Days are intended as a time of rest for both participants and the Retreat Hosts. However, when possible, we offer a Weaving Day Option for those who wish to continue weaving during these breaks.
During the Weaving Day Option, no guidance is provided. In addition, the usual support—such as communication assistance or coordination with instructors—will not be available, as the Retreat Hosts are not present on that day.
This option is available depending on staff availability and other conditions. The decision can be made during your stay, taking into account how you feel the day before, the progress of your weaving project, and other relevant factors.
Please note:
This option is limited to weaving on your pre-prepared warp.
Warping and clothing design are not included.
This option is not available on days when the studio is closed (e.g., the 10th, 20th, or 30th).
An additional fee will apply for this option.
If you are interested in this option, please let us know either at the time of booking or after your arrival.
Retreat Fees (including accommodations, excluding materials and tax*):
[For retreats starting on or after January 1, 2027]
Our SAORI Retreats are limited to a maximum of two participants so that we can create a one-of-a-kind experience together with each participant. To continue offering our unique SAORI Retreats over the long term and maintain a better balance across our work as a whole, we have reviewed the overall structure of the retreat, including our schedule, operations, and fees. The retreat fees for SAORI Retreats starting on or after January 1, 2027, are as follows.
12-Day SAORI Retreat: JPY 270,000 per person
(Includes 12 days of weaving sessions, 2 rest days, and 13 nights of accommodation.)7-Day SAORI Retreat: JPY 166,000 per person
(Includes 7 days of weaving sessions, 1 rest day, and 7 nights of accommodation.)3-Day SAORI Retreat: JPY 79,000 per person
(Includes 3 days of weaving sessions and 2 nights of accommodation.)
*The reduced daily rate for longer retreats is intended to give participants more time to immerse themselves in creative practice, rather than simply receive more instruction.
The Retreat Fee Includes
Dedicated time and a supportive environment to explore your own creativity through weaving
A SAORI Retreat welcome pack with materials and resources to support your learning and reflection during the retreat
Full use of SAORI looms, studio equipment, and shared weaving tools throughout your retreat
Access to a wide selection of SAORI yarns in various materials, textures, and colours
Use of shared sewing machines as needed, in coordination with the SAORI team
Access to a range of learning resources at the studio, including English-language SAORI books, displayed works, and samples of woven pieces and clothing
Personalized learning support in Japanese and English by the SAORI team, as available
Daily tea time including reading and conversation with the SAORI team and local weavers
Guidance on selecting and taking home a SAORI loom, tools, yarns, and other items
Accommodation at the SAORINOMORI Weavers' Condo
Check-in assistance at the SAORINOMORI Weavers' Condo on your arrival day
An accompanied visit to a nearby supermarket on the first day
Wi-Fi access at both the studio and the accommodation
Photos taken during the retreat by the SAORI team when possible. These photos will be shared with you after the retreat.
The Retreat Fee Does Not Include
Weaving materials, charged separately according to actual usage
Weaving Day Options on eligible rest days, available for an additional fee and subject to availability
Additional Material Fees (Consumption tax not included)
Material costs are determined by weight and vary for each participant. Based on our experience with previous visitors, the expected amount of material used is approximately 100–200 g per weaving day.
A wide variety of materials is available, including cotton, wool, jute, silk, cashmere, linen, and more. You are free to choose from a wide selection of materials for each project you weave during your SAORI Retreat.
Inclusive Range: JPY 30 per gram
Includes cotton, wool, jute, synthetic fibres, silk, organic cotton, linen, and special textured synthetic fibres.Premium Range: JPY 70 per gram
Includes cashmere, in addition to all fibres available in the Inclusive Range.
English-Language SAORI Book
Reference copies of SAORI: Self-Innovation through Free Weaving and other SAORI books in English are available at both the studio and the accommodation during your retreat.
You are welcome to bring your own copy. If you would like to purchase a copy, it is available for:
JPY 3,600 per copy (Consumption tax not included)
*The current consumption tax rate is 10%.
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Fees and Future Revisions
Retreat and material fees are reviewed periodically to reflect changes in operational costs and may be revised for future retreat periods.
Retreat Duration & Experience
Our SAORI Retreats are designed as immersive experiences where participants can engage in self-expression, creative exploration, and personal reflection through weaving. To experience the retreat more fully, we recommend a stay of at least 7 days.
A 3-day retreat offers a shorter experience and may be suitable for those who:
wish to revisit and deepen their ongoing SAORI practice as returning participants
would like a brief introduction to SAORI practice
Schedule Adjustments and Minimum Duration
If fixed work or travel commitments make it difficult for you to attend the full scheduled period of a 7-day or 12-day SAORI Retreat, it may be possible in limited circumstances to shorten your retreat by up to two days. If you would like additional time for your retreat, an extension of up to three days may also be possible. If the retreat period is shortened or extended, the Retreat Fee will be adjusted accordingly.
As a general rule, the scheduled start date cannot be changed. Any exception is subject to operational availability, and additional charges may apply if special arrangements are required.
We are generally unable to arrange retreat sessions outside the scheduled retreat periods.
We cannot accept reservations for Multi-day SAORI Retreats lasting fewer than three days. This allows each participant enough time to settle into the rhythm of the retreat and enjoy a more relaxed, personalized SAORI experience.
If you wish to weave for one or two days, we recommend joining our 1-Day Visitors’ Class instead. You are welcome to book the 1-Day Visitors’ Class on multiple available dates.
Scope of the SAORI Retreat
The SAORI Retreat is intended for those who wish to learn and experience SAORI in its own right, using SAORI looms and other products designed for SAORI practice.
During our retreats, we provide guidance and support for SAORI practice and cannot provide instruction or technical support for other weaving traditions, methods, looms, or tools.
The SAORI Retreat is not designed as intensive technical training or to maximize how much you learn during your stay. Instead, it is an immersive creative experience that gives you time and space to explore SAORI practice, discover your own possibilities, and deepen your experience at your own pace.
Services We Do Not Provide
Personal travel planning, sightseeing arrangements, transportation arrangements, or booking services outside the SAORI Retreat. For taxis, we ask participants to make their own arrangements, using a taxi app such as Uber or GO when possible.
SAORI Retreat Accommodations
The SAORINOMORI Weavers' Condo is located just a few minutes walking distance from the studio. The space is meant to provide a convenient, home-like space for retreat participants so that although they may be traveling from far away, they can feel comfortable and also fully concentrate on and enjoy their time at SAORINOMORI.
Our Weavers’ Condo is a residential apartment designed for families. While each visitor has private space in their bedroom, everyone shares the other facilities and common areas in the condo.
Facilities and amenities include:
Private bedrooms
One Japanese-style bedroom to accommodate up to 2 people
Two western-style bedrooms to accommodate 1 person each
Shared facilities
Fully equipped kitchen
Dining room
Living room with cable TV and DVD player
Toilet room
Bath/shower room (with shampoo and soap)
Laundry machine (with detergent)
Balcony with a nice view of SAORINOMORI
Towels and bedding provided
WiFi for light usage only (please let us know if you need help renting a personal router when making a reservation)
Our staff will check participants in at SAORINOMORI first and then show them to their rooms on the first day of their scheduled SAORI Retreat. We will also supply a brief guide to convenience stores, supermarkets, restaurants and other points of interest located nearby to the Weavers’ Condo and generally assist however we can to provide guests with a comfortable stay.
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We would be grateful if you could also read and understand the Condo Rules listed on Studio Policies page before booking a SAORI Retreat at the SAORINOMORI in Izumi.
