Karuizawa in Summer Bloom

A Floral Design RetreatWorkshop

Venue:
Shishi-Iwa House, Karuizawa
July 20-23, 2025

@shishiiwahouse
www.shishiiwahouse.com

Immersing in the gentle poetry of botanical design at Shishi-Iwa House , an intimate retreat in Karuizawa, and guided by our floral designers in the ‘floral design retreat’ workshop, participants practied the art of creating harmonious interiors using locally-sourced flowers and plants, discovering how everyday botanicals can positively transform architectural spaces.

The program included creative workshops, forest bathing walks, farm visits, and an introductory session on the art of ikebana, offering insight into the spiritual depth of Japanese floral traditions. Beyond the workshop, guests also enjoyed the rich culture of Karuizawa—savouring seasonal fine cuisine, local sake and wine tastings, and traditional experiences such as onsen bathing, shiatsu massage and tea ceremony. Each element was carefully curated to create a deeply immersive and memorable retreat.

The space at Shishi-Iwa House comprises of the award-winning SSH No.01 and SSH No.03, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects Shigeru Ban and Ryue Nishizawa.

Installation

Passage of the East, a hanging installation overarchingly themed around the blue-and-white flycatcher a.k.a. Japanese flycatcher, a migratory songbird traveling from northern Japan to South East Asia, which can be spotted in the region. The oeuvre‘s form is derived from the fleeting movement and the bird patterns from the Arts and Crafts movement.