Island Writing Retreat
A Writing Retreat, for everyone
You do not have to identify as a writer to join this retreat. You are welcome to attend and not write a single word, if that is how it unfolds. Maybe you read. Maybe you bathe in the stories of others. Maybe you meet your new writing bestie. Maybe you sleep and sleep and sleep. There is no pressure to produce any amount of work during this time, at all.
Sometimes, our greatest work comes after we allow ourselves to do nothing at all. In our writing retreats, we understand inspiration, rest, good conversation, new experiences and actually living are as valuable as what ends up on the page.
Workshops cover various topics from writing online, to finding your voice, poetic writing, ideas and inspiration, the art of storytelling and actually finishing, sharing and organising your work.
Ishigaki, Okinawa. October 25-30th.
The Ryukyu Islands are a chain of coral islands floating off the southern tip of mainland Japan with their own distinct culture, climate and food, as well as rich artistic and spiritual traditions. Of this thread of islands, one tiny pearl is Ishigaki.
Home to Japan’s southernmost city, subtropical forests and coral beaches, abundant turtles, starfish and aquamarine waters, Ishigaki is a tropical dreamscape. Beautiful, wild in many places and still, deeply Japanese.
To say I fell in love with Ishigaki is an understatement (you can read my love letter to the island here). It is a place that reminds us of how we are supposed to live. Bursting with butterflies and technicolour flowers, bright with blues and greens, our retreat house is a traditional Japanese home with a rich history (more on that below) situated in a quiet village, just a few metres from a coral beach.
It is here we will gather. Write, stretch, rest, explore, eat local, home cooked Okinawan meals and dream beneath a sky abundant with stars as summer finally begins to wane.
Our daily schedule is a fluid blend of movement and rest practices, writing workshops and sharing circles. There will also be ample time for relaxation, reading, walks along the beach and exploring the local area, a quiet and semi-wild village on the coast.
In the lead up to our retreat, I will be in touch with a few questions, to get a feel for where everyone is at to best prepare our writing classes and workshops. As this is a small group, I will cater the content to those who attend.
Rest and movement practices will be centred around creativity, intuition, deep restoration and supporting the practice of being a writer and a creative: keeping the body, mind vital, vibrant, inspired and alive while alchemising life into words.
We will likely also take a half day trip to a neighbouring island or mountain region, dependant on the group. You will be held during this retreat by myself, my good friend Keito Hirakawa and Maiko, the owner of the retreat house.
All participants will also receive complimentary access to the next intake of the writing course A Poetic Life starting September 2nd.
Retreat Schedule
A Home With Heart
Our retreat home is a poem all on its own. Before I visited in person, I exchanged many long emails with the property owner, herself a poet, writer and massage therapist.
The home is a rare sight on the island, built in black timber in traditional Japanese style — one usually seen at the northern part of the country, almost an entire world away. The previous owner had the house dismantled and shipped all the way down to Ishigaki, where it served as his Kimono Atelier, before it’s purchase by current owners who themselves renovated the upper floor into guest rooms to create a retreat home. There is something moving about witnessing the tropical foliage outside the windows of a traditional Japanese house, designed for watching the snow.
Ishigaki is celebrated not only for folk crafts (in particular, ceramics and glass) and waters hypnotically blue (and this comes from someone who grew up on the Australian coast) but vibrant and fresh Island herbs, salts and foods. When I left Ishigaki, my suitcase was close to bursting with black rice, moringa, shell ginger and hibiscus tea, mineral rich salt and medicinal black sugar. My notebook was full of stories, too.
“Ishigaki is starry skies and ocean air, sweet tropical fruits and coral beaches. Hibiscus, shell ginger and lime. I have a clear vision of retreat attendees in loose dresses and sarongs, flowers in their hair, drinking sanpincha (okinawan jasmine tea) writing and chatting quietly, dotted in constellations around the tatami floors, draped over lounge chairs on the balcony, taking in the exhale of the tropical plants outside from a traditional Japanese home.” Ishigaki, A Mouthful of Stars
Inclusions
𖦹 Five nights accomodation in a traditional Japanese home
𖦹 Daily morning practice (meditation & movement)
𖦹 Daily afternoon practice (yin, nidra & restorative yoga)
𖦹 Twice daily okinawan homestyle meals made by a local chef
𖦹 Coffee, tea and snacks
𖦹 Writing workshops & circles
𖦹 Guest workshop by local sound healer and folk singer
𖦹 Guest workshop with Keito Hirakawa
𖦹 Access to A Poetic Life online course 2026
𖦹 A pre-retreat workshop for all your questions & japan travel planning
Pricing and Reservation
All rooms are traditional Japanese rooms, sleeping on futon and tatami floors.
Early Bird Price Until May 1st (or sold out) after which, prices will increase by approx. $150AUD.
Sleepover Room (3-4 people) 288 000JPY (approx. $2500 AUD)
Duo Room (2 people) 315 000JPY (approx. $2800 AUD) $100pp discount if booked as a pair
A 750 000 JPY deposit is required to secure your spot.
Please make sure you read the terms & conditions before purchasing.
✺ Frequently asked questions ✺
-
This retreat is a woman’s only retreat, we will be in close circles and we know how much safety and inspiration it creates. Every woman is welcome, no previous experience needed, you do not need to be a writer, or have a business.
-
A 70 000JPY deposit is required to secure your spot.
-
While I have always felt perhaps (too) confident with the term ‘writer’, a lot of people don’t. When I used to run poetry reading nights (it was cool, I promise) every time without fail, the best pieces, the loudest laughs, the stories that made everyone cry were written by people who had to be convinced - and didn’t believe themselves to be writers at all.
It is our innate nature to be storytellers, if you’re drawn to explore the written word in more depth, I guarantee there is something here for you.
-
Please make sure you read our terms and conditions before booking your spot.
Please note that deposits are strictly non-refundable.
-
The weather will still be warm (late summer rather than autumn) on the island in October. Bring your favourite tropical island clothes and anything that helps you to feel cosy and at home.
All yoga props will be provided, no need to bring a mat!
-
Ishigaki is a short flight from any major city on the mainland of Japan (domestic flights are SO easy in Japan). All you have to do is get yourself to the airport by 2pm on the 25th and we will meet you there!
