Mindfully More Japan — Local services in Kyoto

We spent an unforgettable day with Sam and it was, without a doubt, the highlight of our trip. The day began with “Morning Harmony” – a peaceful and grounding yoga session that set the perfect tone. Afterwards, we enjoyed a unique and interactive breakfast experience at Uno Ramen, a vegan and gluten-free spot where we made our own tofu and miso soup, are the most delicious rice (I know, how is rice delicious?I've still got no idea!), and sampled a beautiful variety of nigiri.

Sam then guided us to a few stunning, tucked-away temples, far from the tourist crowds. It was such a rare treat to explore these serene spots at our own pace, without any rush.

Beyond the experiences, Sam was a fantastic guide – warm, knowledgeable, and incredibly helpful. She helped us navigate the train system with ease and gave us great travel tips and advice for the rest of our journey.

Sam truly made our trip extra special. We can’t recommend her enough – this day with her was everything we hoped...

Sam is a wonderful yoga teacher. With her small group sizes she can really keep an eye on everyone and give personal advice. She never pushes you beyond to go further than you are able, which is great for someone incredibly stiff like me. This is true wellness, not doing something purely for impressing on social media. Her studio itself is a sweet and zen place. Everything from the places she teaches in to her approach is filled with attention to detail.

I also joined her Koyasan retreat which was also a lovely experience. The temple we stayed in was the most comfortable one I have been too, the food was delicious and the activities were insightful, calming and incredibly enjoyable. I could have stayed an extra night or two easily.

She teaches in both English and Japanese, so language barriers are...

I am grateful to have found Sami’s studio while staying in Kyoto. After many days walking nonstop and completing a mountain hike, I was looking for a day to restore and rest my body. Sami tailored the session toward my various aches and concerns, as well as the others in the class, and delivered instructions in both Japanese and English to accomodate everyone. I attended a morning Monday class for beginners as I don’t have a regular yoga practice at home, and left with useful stretches and techniques to keep with me on the rest of my travels. I especially enjoyed winding down the session with a sound bath — would have loved to attend a future session at the temple if I were in town longer. Thank you very much, Sami! Will definitely come back whenever I...