Sakura Hot Springs

Hello there. Welcome back to the beloved Sakura Hot Springs, where no one leaves unrested. This tranquil enclave allows guests to wander through its quiet corridors, where you'll discover rooms devoted to the art of relaxation. Whether you seek rest, rejuvenation, or simply a moment of peace, Sakura Hot Springs invites you to immerse yourself within its natural beauty. Before we explore, let's briefly pause for a wind-down exercise. Tonight's exercise is a really simple breathing exercise. So, when you're ready, let's begin. So first, get yourself comfortable. Now just bringing the attention to the breath, just noticing where you feel it, in the nose, the throat, the chest, the diaphragm. You are nice and relaxed. We are going to be taking a deep breath in for four, holding it for four, and then breathing out for six. So, are you ready? Let's begin. In for four, two, three, four. Hold it for four, two, three, four. Now breathing out for six, two, three, four, five, six. In for four, two, three, four. Holding for four, two, three, four. Out for six, two, three, four, five, six. In for four, two, three, four. Holding for four, two, three, four. Out for six, two, three, four, five, six. In for four, two, three, four. Holding for four, two, three, four. Out for six, two, three, four, five, six. Great. Now returning the breath to normal. Sora, the daughter of the retreat's owners, works just up the road at the planetarium, where she spends most evenings surveying the stars. Even though Sora is not at Sakura Hot Springs at the moment, there's always a chance to visit the garden that was named after her. Sora's garden is a tranquil tea garden. It's a lovely place to spend time in nature and practice walking meditations. The tea garden leads visitors from the outside world to the tea house. In the flourishing greenery of the surrounding cherry blossom forest, several stepping stones guide the path. The foundation of the garden is a velvety carpet of lush, green moss. It looks so soft, like you could almost bounce on it if you tried. Near the end of the path, a water basin awaits, illuminated by an old stone lantern. The light inside the lantern flickers with an inviting dance. Inside the water basin is a bamboo ladle meant for scooping water and used by visitors to rinse their hands. Now, as Sora would say, you are prepared to enter a tea house. The atmosphere here is imbued with a peaceful stillness, punctuated only by the soft murmur of water. Time seems to slow down in this place. Visitors are welcome to wander through the quiet corridors, with rooms devoted to the art of tranquility, each offering their own unique experience. The first room along the corridor is the Salt Room. This room is filled with warm, mineral-rich air, evocative of a dry ocean breeze, almost as if the sea itself has been captured within the...