VERNAL
Awakening
Tilting Towards the Sun
March 9-13, 2026
Spring begins to leaf out. Wild vegetables from land and sea return, offering a deep sense of renewal.
We’ll stroll hillsides to forage tsukushi horsetail, splash in streams to pick tender watercress, and wade into tidal pools to gather funori seaweed. In a seasonal masterclass, we’ll collect dried silvergrass that has weathered the winter winds and transform it into elegant, handmade Japanese brooms — tools that bring beauty and intention to the everyday.
Vernal Awakening
Session Lookbook
We open the windows by day and build fires by night. Together, we craft meals that celebrate spring’s quiet return — honoring the wild, the seasonal, the deeply local.
Join Us
Make your way to Karatsu, nestled in the northwest corner of Kyushu—just over an hour by train from Fukuoka’s airport or shinkansen station. We’ll gather at the Mirukashi Salon, perched on a quiet hilltop, and begin with a lively welcome dinner full of fresh, seasonal flavor.
We’ll begin with gathering tsukushi — an ephemeral flavor of early spring. Back in Mirukashi, we’ll gather in the kitchen and cover the foundations of Japanese cuisine. Our lunch will be a celebration of seasonal simplicity — the essence of spring, on a plate.
Getting Here
Foraging & Cooking
day 1
day 2 Morning
We’ll wander country lanes and harvest silvergrass that has weathered the winter. It will become the foundation of a handcrafted tool you’ll use daily — a reminder that the beauty of Japanese life is found not only in cuisine, but in the grace of everyday objects.
Silvergrass
DAy 3 Morning
We’ll visit Hanako in her studio, where she’ll share her philosophy of form, function, and the quiet poetry of everyday objects. Watch as she brings vessels to life with her signature throwing techniques. Together, we’ll create a piece for you to bring home — a tactile memory of Mirukashi.
Atelier Visit
Day 2 afternoon
come to mirukashi
The shape of our days
In a special hands-on masterclass, natural materials artisan Yuki-san will guide you through the meditative craft of broom-making. You’ll leave with two handmade field brooms — one for everyday use, one for beauty — each a symbol of the season and the art of living well.
Back in the kitchen, you’ll learn to craft elegant temarizushi with hirame — a delicate white fish harvested at winter’s end — to enjoy alongside seasonal accompaniments. The colors, textures, and flavors come together in a joyful expression of spring’s awakening.
Field Brooms
Temarizushi
day 3 Afternoon
day 4 Morning
Wake up to one last seaside sunrise. Today you leave not just with memories, but with new eyes — a new rhythm, a new way of meeting life. Because the real souvenir isn’t something you pack — it’s the quiet shift within you that lingers, long after you’ve left.
Carrying it Home
DAy 5
We’ll take our feast into the early spring landscape and enjoy a picnic with sake on the side. Afterward, matcha and sweets offer a quiet moment of ceremony in nature. Then, we’ll head to the shore to gather wild seaweed — another fleeting gift of the season.
En Plein Air
Day 4 Afternoon
Seaside Hotel
Where You'll Stay
Let the waves lull you to sleep each night in this 4-star oceanside sanctuary. Watch the sunrise from your room, stroll the shoreline beside a forest of ancient pines, or unwind in the onsen, sauna, or rooftop thermal pool. This is your place to rest, reflect, and feel restored.
When You Say Yes
Salon sessions are $3,550 USD per person. To reserve your place, a non-refundable deposit of $1,800 is required. The balance is due 60 days before your session begins.
The Details
Four nights of quiet comfort in a private room, all meals and drinks lovingly prepared, and transportation during the salon experience. (Travel to and from Karatsu is not included.)
What's included
Plans shift. If you need to reschedule, I understand. While deposits are non-refundable, with at least 60 days’ notice, I’ll gladly apply your deposit to a future salon session.
Life Happens
Small gatherings. Lasting impressions.
Join Us.
With just 7 seats per session, space is limited by design — for a deeply personal experience.
If this speaks to you, I invite you to reserve your place.
Request to join
