According to Lily Smith, a travel expert from Monasteries.com, a third of Brits are planning a spiritual escape in 2025.
Setouchi, Japan is a prime destination with an array of breathtaking offerings that caters to travellers seeking an otherworldly escape that offers opportunities to connect with nature and spirituality.
Mindful retreat itineraries on Awaji Island
Experience profound peace at Zenbo Seinei, a serene retreat designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Shigeru Ban. This striking minimalist structure, nestled in nature, features a 100m cedar-wood deck overlooking seasonal landscapes. Guests can visit for a mental detox with day/evening plans or two-day journeys, focused on themes like Clean Beauty and Mind-Body Function, where they can engage in zen meditation, yoga, calligraphy and mindful walking practices to achieve stillness and reflection. They will also be able to enjoy vegan cuisine inspired by temple traditions, crafted from local ingredients by a fermentation and brewing chef.
Travellers opting for a longer stay can also pair this with a visit to Izanagi Jingu Shrine, only a 30-minute drive away from the retreat. It is the oldest shrine in Japan rooted in the nation’s mythology and a recognised power spot for bringing good fortune.
Prices at the retreat start from ¥10,000 (£52) for a one-hour sunset retreat, with overnight stays from ¥48,000 (£250) plus a 10% service charge.
Discover a mysterious underground world at Akiyoshido Cave
Join a cave exploration tour to Akiyoshido Cave, one of Japan’s largest limestone caves, formed over 350 million years ago beneath the Akiyoshidai plateau, to marvel at natural wonders like the Golden Pillar and the Hundred Plates, shaped by cascading water over terraced rock formations. The tour offers access to hidden labyrinths and a scenic riverway, with an expansive karst landscape that awaits discovery by bicycle, segway, or tuk-tuk.
Cap off your adventure with a taste of gobou-men—burdock-infused noodles topped with crispy fried burdock. This native root, rich in antioxidants, grows on the plateau and aids digestion.
Embark on a pilgrimage from Ryozen-ji Temple
Step into the awe-inspiring world of Ryozenji Temple, the first stop on the 1,460km Shikoku pilgrimage, where history and spirituality intertwine. Established around 1,300 years ago in Naruto City, this sacred site invites travellers to reflect in its majestic main hall and pagoda, offering a peaceful space for purification and healing.
Along the way, explorers can pick up traditional attire like hakui and sedge hats, grab a walking stick, and obtain your stamp book (nokyocho) to collect seals at each temple along the way.
The attraction is open year-round from 7am to 5pm daily.
See the unveiling of the restored Rurikoji Five-Story Pagoda in 2026
Debuting in April 2026, the Rurikoji Five-Story Pagoda in Yamaguchi is set to unveil after a multi-year renovation. This Muromachi-period masterpiece (1393-1466) is celebrated as one of Japan’s finest examples of traditional pagoda architecture. As you visit, take a moment to pray for your health at the temple dedicated to Yakushi Nyorai, the Medicine Buddha, and see the stunning six-meter high Reiwa Great Buddha, a contemporary wooden statue completed in 2023 by artist Shinji Maeda and Buddhist priest-artist Tenshin Kazama.
This remarkable cultural revival project also showcases mini statues created during nationwide workshops held during the COVID-19 pandemic.