Overview
Click here for the Japanese page. 日本語はこちら
Every January, a small group of agile practitioners from Japan and around the world gathers in the mountains of Hakone to talk, soak, and slow down together. We’d love for you to join us.
This is a 3-day, 2-night residential retreat for international agile practitioners. Using Open Space Technology, it creates a collaborative learning environment where participants can discuss various topics, facilitate workshops, and explore the beautiful surrounding area. Come to reconnect with old colleagues and build new relationships with like-minded peers.
Conversations here happen in both Japanese and English, and you’ll find English speakers in the mix. There’s no formal interpretation, but between a translation app and people willing to meet you halfway, language has never really been the obstacle. If you enjoy connecting across one, you’ll fit right in. Come curious!
The venue is an exclusive, fully-reserved facility. Please refer to the facility overview for detailed information about the location.
What is Open Space Technology (OST)?
Open Space Technology is a facilitation method where participants collectively drive the agenda by proposing topics and engaging in self-organized discussions around themes that interest them. Instead of following a pre-set schedule, attendees create the program organically on-site by suggesting sessions and leading conversations themselves. This format allows everyone to contribute as both presenter and participant, enabling diverse perspectives to intersect and fostering the emergence of creative ideas and actionable solutions. It’s particularly powerful for tackling complex challenges that don’t have straightforward answers.
Event Details
- Event Name: Onsen Retreat in Hakone
- Organizer: Attractor Inc.
- Date: January 9 (Sat) - 11 (Mon), 2027 ※Residential event
- Venue: LIME RESORT HAKONE
- Address: 1246-845 Sengokuhara, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
- Access: Bus from Hakone-Yumoto Station or Odawara Station. Ample parking available for those arriving by car. For international participants, we will provide guidance for bus transportation from Shinjuku Station. Please check the latest traffic and weather information before traveling, as road closures or delays may occur due to snow or icy conditions during winter.
- About Hakone:
- Please note that while Hakone is a mountainous area, it does not offer winter sports facilities such as skiing or snowboarding.
- The venue area has an average daily temperature of 0-5°C (32-41°F) in January. While the venue is heated, please bring warm outerwear for outdoor activities. The venue is located in Sengokuhara, a mountainous area within Hakone. Several museums, Lake Ashi, and Owakudani are within 3km and accessible by local bus services.
- Capacity: Up to 40 participants (Minimum required: 15 participants)
- All-Inclusive Package: The retreat fee covers all meals (dinner on 1/9, breakfast, lunch, and dinner on 1/10, breakfast on 1/11) and non-alcoholic beverages throughout your stay.
- Dietary requirements: If you have a food allergy, please note it in the Message field when you apply. We’ll do what we can, but we may not be able to accommodate every requirement. This is a small retreat facility with a single kitchen, so we’re unable to provide halal, kosher, vegan, or gluten-free meals.
- Cancellation Policy: The event may be cancelled if minimum attendance is not expected or due to circumstances beyond the organizers’ control. In such cases, full refunds including administrative fees will be provided.
Terms and Conditions
- This is a participant-driven, unconference-style event with no formal presentations or structured training.
- This is a residential retreat requiring full attendance for all three days.
- Payment accepted via bank transfer or credit card.
- Cancellation policy: Free cancellation up to 31 days before the event (100% fee applies if payment is overdue), 50% cancellation fee 15-30 days before, 100% cancellation fee within 14 days of the event.
Accommodation
- Rooms are for single or double occupancy (different pricing applies).
- Even in shared rooms, each bed has privacy doors for comfortable sleeping.
- Rooms are equipped with private toilets and washbasins, but no en-suite bathrooms. All guests use the shared hot spring baths.
- The hot spring baths follow traditional Japanese onsen customs: gender-separated facilities where bathing is done without clothing. Guests with tattoos are welcome.
- This is a retreat facility rather than a full-service hotel. Fresh towels are provided daily, but bedding and room cleaning services are not available during your stay.
- Two washing machines and dryers are available for free use throughout your stay, with laundry detergent provided.
- The nearest convenience store is approximately 10 minutes on foot.
- Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the venue.
Price
| Type | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 person (shared room) | 99,000 JPY (including 10% consumption tax) |
| 1 person (private room guaranteed) | 132,000 JPY (including 10% consumption tax) |
| 2 persons (same room) | 198,000 JPY (including 10% consumption tax) |
Registration
- Application deadline: November 15, 2026 (Sunday) 6:00 PM JST. Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance.
- Multiple applications from the same person will result in only the most recent submission being considered.
- For shared room bookings, please coordinate with your intended roommate before applying.
- Separate invoicing or receipts cannot be provided for shared room bookings.
- Participants are selected by lottery after applications close. Selection odds are adjusted to keep the group diverse.
- Because travel from abroad takes planning, applications from outside Japan are reviewed as they arrive, and confirmation is communicated ahead of the lottery results wherever possible.
- Accepted applicants will receive confirmation and payment instructions by November 20, 2026. Payment must be completed by December 31, 2026. Late payment extensions incur additional fees.
- Standard cancellation policies apply after acceptance.
- Please notify organizers immediately if you cannot attend after being accepted.
- Transferring your spot to others without organizer approval is prohibited.
Note
- Please note that we are unable to provide visa assistance or support for international attendees.