Summary

The 5-day cookery course:
Learn how to make vegan Buddhist meals and feel
the atmosphere of an authentic Japanese kitchen as you cook and chat together with
Yuka Yamasaki, master of medicinal cooking and buddhist cuisine! Create seasonal
shojin dishes like miso soup, vegan broth, ginger rice, goma dofu (sesam tofu), varies
tofu-dishes like shira-ae, tsukemonos (vegetables pickles) and warabimochi with matcha
(japanese sweets), anko from azuki beans, amazake (fermented rice drink), vegan sushi...

Shojin Ryori, what is it?
This plant-based cuisine has been established in Buddhist temples in Japan for more than 800 years. It combines sophisticated cooking techniques with a mindfulness-based aesthetic. The basic concepts to create a balanced meal are the preparation of dishes that combine the five colours, the five cooking methods and the five flavours. In addition there is in Shojin Cuisine also the 6th taste, tanmi, the plain one. It means appreciating and emphasizing the natural flavours and characteristics of the ingredients. This is why connoisseurs say that Shojin cuisine strengthens mind and body and relieves stress.

The preparation of koji,
one of the greatest culinary treasures of the Japanese cuisine, takes a few days. Therefore, we take the opportunity of this intensive course to show you the secrets of this fermentation process, which produces a variety of enzymes that give many dishes their rich umami flavour and boost your microbiom.

The mindfulness program begins in the morning with zazen. After breakfast there is a relaxing Feldenkrais lesson. The themes of the lessons will help you to find your inner balance and rhythm and focus on mindfulness, breathing and in particular on the sense of smell and taste.

Our Island excursions
will take us into the rich nature with wonderful ecosystems of La Palma, the volcanic island designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
We will take relaxing walks in beautiful places by the sea and in laurel forests and also visit regional markets and eco-fincas. Just a five-minute walk from Casa Las Enanas is the well-kept and safe blue flag beach which guarantees excellent water for your daily bathing in the Atlantic Ocean.

The retreat at a glance

The most important facts in a nutshell:

Categories: Japanese weekend, Zen Retreat, Nature Vacation, Meditation, Forest bathing, Consciousness, soul, senses & spirit, Nutritional advice, Self-discovery, Feldenkrais, Clean Eating, Mindfulness, Breathing, Relaxation, Cooking, Hiking, Wellness, Detox Retreats, Creative Retreats, Active Retreats
Date: 2025-09-27 - 2025-10-04
Language(s): English, German
Level: Expert, Advanced, Beginner
Place: Santa Cruz La Palma, Spain
Accommodation: Overnight stay included
Catering: Full board
Types of food: Dairy-free, Organic, Vegan
Services: 7 x nights in a double room

7 days full vegan board

5 x Shojin Cuisine Cooking Class

3 x excursions with easy hikes

5 x Zen meditation

5 x Feldenkrais; awareness through movement

optional: swimming in the sea, 5 minutes walk to the beach

zubuchbar: Stand up paddeling am Strand

bookable: Kite surfing on the beach

bookable: Stargazing tour at Roque de Los Muchachos

bookable: Volcano tour

Accommodation

Casa Las Enanas is a charming Canarian house where you will immediately feel at home. With its cosy seminar room, patio with dining area, beautiful terrace and kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms, it is the perfect place to make your trip an unforgettable experience. Around the house, you will find many places with friendly little cafés, restaurants and shops. And if you're longing for a refreshing dip in black lava sand, you'll find it at the town beach. This year, it has once again been awarded the ‘Bandera Azul’ nature conservation label, which stands for a well-maintained beach and high-quality bathing water.

sequence

Course programme:
7:30h Zen
8:30 Breakfast
10:00 – 11:00h Feldenkrais lesson
12:00 – 15:00h Shojin Cusine Cooking Class
3 x Island excursions
(We reserve the right to make slight changes to the daily programme)

Arrival

NOT INCLUDED:
Transfere from the airport of La Palma (SPC) to “Casa Las Enanas” :
but it can easily reached by bus (guagua) or only 12 minutes by taxi.
The flight must be booked separately and is not included.

Calle Sierra 2, 38700 Santa Cruz La Palma, Canarias, Spain

Cancellation policy

If you cancel up to 60 days before arrival, you will receive a 50% refund of the booking price.
If you cancel up to 14 days before arrival, you will receive a 20% refund of the booking price.
After this, the booking is non-refundable.

In the event of cancellation by the organiser:
The organiser may withdraw up to two weeks before the start of the course if the minimum number of participants has not been reached or due to unforeseeable circumstances such as illness etc.. In this case, the seminar costs already paid will be refunded. There is no entitlement to compensation.
In the event of cancellation by the participant:
If the participant cancels up to 8 weeks before the start of the course, the cancellation costs are 50% of the seminar fee and up to two weeks before the start of the course 20%. In the event of cancellation less than two weeks before the start of the course, no cancellation costs can be claimed.
Take out seminar cancellation insurance: Something unforeseen can always happen, which is why we recommend taking out appropriate insurance.