Welcome to Dharmakur – a place to rejuvenate yourself in Japan
As much as I love living & working in Japan, there are moments when it can get extremely exhausting and I yearn to get away from it all. Even travelling around Japan can be quite tiring! That’s why I’d like to introduce to you to Hikone’s Dharmakur wellness salon, located in a 100 year old kominka in the heart of the charming castle town of Hikone, less than 1 hour from Kyoto.
Dharmakur offers a range of different wellness experiences that will leave you feeling fully rejuvenated and in this post I’ll be sharing with you several I recommend trying!
Welcome tea, consultation & meditation
Upon arriving at the picturesque kominka (a traditional Japanese folk house), the staff welcomed me with a cup of Mandokoro tea. Fragrant and organic, the staff informed me that the method of making has not changed in over 600 years! Whilst sipping this refreshing tea, I completed a consultation sheet in English so that the practitioners could learn more about my body type and lifestyle habits.
Soon after, it was time for the wellness experience to commence with a short meditation session in the tatami room. Beautifully decorated with many original antique pieces of furniture, I could already feel a sense of calm washing over me as I took in my surroundings and looked out towards the garden.
Airsilk aerial yoga at Dharmakur wellness salon
As soon as you step into this welcoming studio, you’ll instantly feel your stresses of the week melting away… The smell of the wood, the high ceilings with natural light streaming down through the exposed beams, and the colourful hanging silk hammocks help create a truly serene space for practising yoga.
It was my first time trying aerial yoga & being a little scared of heights, I was quite worried about trusting a piece of silk to keep me stable in the air! But with the soothing background music playing and the patient guidance of Mina-san, the instructor, I began to feel at ease.
After a bit of practice, I was able to complete several moves quite confidently and I was amazed at how empowered I felt!
We ended the session by climbing into the silk hammock allowing it to wrap around our bodies. By this point, I felt safely supported so could fully surrender to the meditation practice. It was quite a unique sensation; swaying gently back and forth, you almost feel a sense of weightlessness. I focused on taking deep breaths and stretching my body. It was such a calming experience I didn’t want it to end!
Ayurveda treatments at the Kura Salon
The next part of my Dharmakur wellness experience was focused on Ayurveda, an Indian holistic therapy derived from traditional medicines practised for thousands of years. Exiting the kominka and walking through the tranquil garden was a relaxing experience itself! The Ayurveda treatments take place in a historic 124 year old Kura warehouse. Kura are traditional Japanese storehouses originally used to store valuables and as you can see, they have quite a charming exterior!
The owners have renovated the interior to create a cozy, inviting, private salon where you can experience a range of Ayurvedic treatments.
Hot stone therapy
Beginning with a massage to help promote relaxation and circulation, the therapist used just the right amount of pressure to help release the tension in my tired legs and back. The warm, aromatic oils used help to reduce joint pain and fatigue, as well as help restore skin moisture. As soon as the hot stones were placed on my back, I could feel the heat radiating outwards and remaining tension disappearing.
Shirodhara – ‘brain massage’
The next part of the treatment was to experience Shirodhara, also known as a ‘brain massage’. It’s a famous Ayurvedic treatment that often comes at the end of a hot stone massage and was unlike anything I’d ever felt before! Warm oil gently & continuously drips onto your forehead, targeting an energy centre known as the ajna chakra. Whilst it tickled at first, I got used to the rhythmic oil flowing and I started to feel deeply relaxed.
There are so many benefits to Shirodhara, ranging from improving sleep quality, reducing stress and lessening anxiety. I can affirm this as I slept so well after my day at Dharmakur and would love to try this experience again.
Private head spa at Dharmakur wellness salon
I don’t know about you, but whenever I visit a spa and get a head massage, I dread having to leave & continue my day with oily hair. Thankfully at Dharmakur they have their own private hair salon too! It’s bright, airy and modern and I love seeing the contrast to the previous rooms. You begin to feel more revitalised the moment you sit in the salon’s chair (the most comfortable I’ve experienced!).
Mina-san is an expert when it comes to hair styling and as a Vie Riche representative, she selected the best products suited for my hair type.
We started the scalp and hair maintenance treatment with a thorough cleansing and detox with highly concentrated carbonated spring water. I absolutely loved the feeling of this as it’s like a gentle massage for your scalp. The herbal shampoo smelled divine and was followed by a pH adjusting treatment. The final step was a conditioning treatment from roots to tips leaving my hair feeling soft and silky!
During this experience, Mina-san would massage my scalp and neck, whilst telling me about the products being applied to my hair.
I started to feel more reenergised after being served a cup of black coffee and a couple of local artisanal chocolates (delicious!). Whilst my hair was being styled, I received a complimentary hand massage too. They really know how to look after you here!
I felt thoroughly pampered and looked after by all the staff throughout my time at the Dharmakur wellness salon. To those of you who are looking for some quality “me-time” and craving a day full of relaxation and rejuvenation, then look no further!
Making a reservation at Dharmakur wellness salon
To make your reservation, complete the form at this link which you can also access from the Dharmakur website. There are many different courses available so make sure to explore their website to choose the one that best suits you.
Getting to Dharmakur, Hikone
From Tokyo, catch the shinkansen to Maibara station (2 hr 14 min). At Maibara, take the Tokaido-Sanyo line to Hikone station (4 minutes). From Kyoto, take the Tokaido-Sanyo line to Hikone (49 minutes).
Once you arrive at Hikone, it’s a 20 minute walk or 5 minute bus ride to Yonbancho Sukuwea bus stop.
Where to stay in Hikone?
Hikone Castle Resort & Spa
Why not continue your relaxing getaway by staying at Hikone Castle Resort and Spa? It’s only a short 10 minute walk to Dharmakur from this hotel and they have a public onsen, so you can enjoy a soak before bedtime too!
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