Mindful Miho
Miho is a Registered Dieititian and a Mindful Eating Expert! She provides personalized nutrition counseling for individuals online or via phone. Miho specialize in integrative and functional nutrition, and her major focus is on mindful eating.
I went on a guided hike on the ancient Mt.Fuji trail.
There was hardly anyone on the trail. This is the official starting point of Mt.Fuji trail. Nowadays, people don’t use this trail since they can get to the 5th station by car to start the ascent. But until 100 years ago, this was how people start climbing the mountain.
Leading up to the Torii gate ⛩️ I saw many carved stone to commemorate the 33th climbing of Mt.Fuji. In Fujiko spiritual practice, number 33 is a sacred number.
I had a nice chat with the tea house owner by the trail. He is a retired professor and started the tea house after his retirement. The tea house was not in use for a very long time and he wanted to revive the trail. He believe that this trail is the best trail to feel the presence of the spirit.
Over tourism in certain parts is a current challenge in Japan.
I had a nice chat with a lady who sat next to me on the bus to the Mt. Fuji.
She was born and raised in Asakusa, Tokyo.
She shared how she’s seen the town getting flooded with tourist over the years.
She’s happy that more people are interested in the Japanese culture and visiting this beautiful country but was also voiced concerns about local people are losing their space.
Her favorite local coffee shop is no longer her place to sip tea in peace. Prices are inflated. Grocery shops are being replaced by souvenir shops. It’s getting harder for local people to live.
It was an enlightening realization for me and it made me fully commit to creating this retreat to highlight different parts of Japan.
People we are working with are all local tourist operators, and all of them are very passionate about sharing the culture and story of the reason they lived in.
Tomomi - a local tour operator in Izu is really passionate about bringing more people to Izu. She shares that has so much culture in history not even Japanese people know about it.
When we visit there, we saw have a few people were visiting Izu compared to some places we passed by like Kawaguchiko by Mount Fuji. A quiet location that’s been around 1200 years rich with history and culture, a perfect place for a Zen retreat.
If you are someone who wants to go on the off the beaten path or support conscious tourism, I’d love to invite you on this experience.
03/18/2026
As the cherry blossom starts to bloom in Portland, I want to share a bit about the 花見 Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) and the Japanese Culture
People think Japanese people are quiet and humble but no we know how to have fun!
There’s almost 2000 years of tradition with this spring celebration.
It starts with the Japanese mythology,
The Flower Goddess: Konohanasakuyahime
enshrined in Mount Fuji. She represents the paradox of existence: an impermanent beauty, yet a spirit so strong it protects people from volcanic activities of the mountain. To Japanese, to celebrate Hanami (flower viewing) is to sit in the presence of the Goddess herself.
* In our upcoming Japan wellness retreat, We will visit the shrine by Mt. Fuji where she is enshrined!
She also symbolizes the Japanese wisdom: Ichigo Ichie
Sakura (Cherry blossom) is the symbolism of Ichigo Ichie (一期一会). Translated as "One time, one meeting," it reminds us that these bloom are only seen once same flower does not bloom again next year. So we must cherish this moment fully before it fleets away. It’s the kind of spirit you find in Japan, people’s action is filled with respect and curiosity because they know no moment is permanent.
Another tradition with Hanami is Yoshuku:
Have you ever celebrated a victory before it happened? This is the ancient practice of Yoshuku. Historically, Hanami wasn’t just a picnic; it was a Shinto ritual of "pre-celebration." By celebrating the abundance of the blossoms in spring, farmers were manifesting a bountiful rice harvest in the autumn.
Just as the Japanese farmers used the spring blossoms to "pre-celebrate" the autumn harvest, we invite you to begin your journey of manifestation now.
Our Japan Wellness Retreat this November is the culmination of the intentions you set today. I will be sprinkling these less known traditions and wisdom throughout the retreat for you to cultivate more mindful live beyond this trip!
Read more here: https://www.housenine.com/japan
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