Learn to Make your Own Miso
Learn to Make your Own Miso
Up to 30 in group
May 15 - 17, 2026
Retreat Highlights
- Hands-on experience crafting a large batch of traditional miso
- Step-by-step instruction on making Koji starter culture
- Exploration of Japanese dietary therapy and culinary history
- Tasting session featuring diverse white, red, and barley miso varieties
- Take-home jar of freshly made miso for your own kitchen
About this Retreat
Your Guides
Kazuko Katsuura is a traditional Japanese fermentation artisan and educator from Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, with over 20 years of experience making miso and umeboshi by hand. Deeply curious by nature and devoted to simple living, Kazuko brings a life-centered approach to food as daily practice, nourishment, and connection to the natural world.
A mother of three and grandmother of one, Kazuko lives with a love for nature, mindful craftsmanship, and the quiet joy of creating food with intention. Her hobbies include watching professional baseball, enjoying films, and driving—yet her greatest passion lies in sharing the wisdom of traditional Japanese food culture.
Kazuko specializes in rice koji cultivation, hands-on miso-making classes, and instruction rooted in the living traditions of Japanese fermentation. Through workshops, market stalls, and collaborative teaching, she shares the wonders of rice koji—the foundation of Japanese cuisine—and its role in sustaining health, culture, and community.
Her dream is to foster peace and understanding through food. By sharing the magic of koji mold, a national fungus unique to Japan, Kazuko hopes to create opportunities for people around the world to reconnect—with food, with tradition, and ultimately, with themselves.
Her guiding motto: to live simply.
Details of this retreat
Discover the magic of miso, a traditional Japanese fermented bean paste celebrated for its rich flavor and versatile culinary uses. This interactive workshop offers a deep dive into the history, varieties, and preparation of miso, culminating in making your own batch to take home!
What You Will Learn
How to make Miso: Hands-on experience crafting a large batch of miso using various legumes, learning the fermentation process step-by-step.
History of Miso: Explore the origins of miso in Japan, its cultural significance, and how it evolved over centuries.
Learn to make Koji (starter of Miso).
Learn the varieties of Miso: white, red, barley, chickpea, and more-and how their fermentation times and ingredients affect flavor.
Learn how to cook foods by using Koji seasoning.
Learn the basic of Japanese Dietary Therapy
What You Will Taste
The final Lunch celebration! Sample a range of miso pastes, from mild and sweet to bold and salty, to appreciate the diversity of flavors fermentation creates.
Take-Home Gift
Receive your own jar of freshly made miso to continue experimenting with recipes at home, perfect for soups, marinades, salad dressings, and stir-fries!
This workshop takes place at Satchidananda Ashram Yogaville, a serene oasis in the heartland of Virginia. With a diverse community of heart-centered people and its world-renowned Yoga Academy ~ Integral Yoga, Yogaville opens doors to spiritual growth and self-mastery.
Enjoy taking part in the Ashram’s daily activities and accommodations: complimentary yoga and meditation classes, inspirational spiritual talks, organic vegetarian food (vegan options), and walking forest trails on the 800-acre property, including along the James River.
If you’re passionate about cooking, fermentation, or Japanese cuisine, this workshop is a flavorful journey you won’t want to miss!
Space is limited, make your reservation today!
View Daily Ashram Schedule →
What You Will Learn
How to make Miso: Hands-on experience crafting a large batch of miso using various legumes, learning the fermentation process step-by-step.
History of Miso: Explore the origins of miso in Japan, its cultural significance, and how it evolved over centuries.
Learn to make Koji (starter of Miso).
Learn the varieties of Miso: white, red, barley, chickpea, and more-and how their fermentation times and ingredients affect flavor.
Learn how to cook foods by using Koji seasoning.
Learn the basic of Japanese Dietary Therapy
What You Will Taste
The final Lunch celebration! Sample a range of miso pastes, from mild and sweet to bold and salty, to appreciate the diversity of flavors fermentation creates.
Take-Home Gift
Receive your own jar of freshly made miso to continue experimenting with recipes at home, perfect for soups, marinades, salad dressings, and stir-fries!
This workshop takes place at Satchidananda Ashram Yogaville, a serene oasis in the heartland of Virginia. With a diverse community of heart-centered people and its world-renowned Yoga Academy ~ Integral Yoga, Yogaville opens doors to spiritual growth and self-mastery.
Enjoy taking part in the Ashram’s daily activities and accommodations: complimentary yoga and meditation classes, inspirational spiritual talks, organic vegetarian food (vegan options), and walking forest trails on the 800-acre property, including along the James River.
If you’re passionate about cooking, fermentation, or Japanese cuisine, this workshop is a flavorful journey you won’t want to miss!
Space is limited, make your reservation today!
View Daily Ashram Schedule →
Getting Here
Directions
Yogaville offers transportation from the airport, train and bus stations in Charlottesville, VA. If you are driving Google Maps has reliable turn-by-turn directions.
Accommodation
Availability of complimentary accommodations is determined by the order of booking.
Dormitory
The most popular accommodations we have are Dormitory Accommodations – shared room and shared bath. We have two dormitories, Vivekananda Vihar and Ramalinga Nilayam, which are centrally heated and air-conditioned and convenient to meals and programs.
Lotus Guest House (Private Room)
Each room in our six unit guest house is equipped with a small refrigerator, queen size bed and full bath. Each room in our nine unit guest house is equipped with a queen sized bed and full bath, and no refrigerator.
Tenting
Set off in a quiet, wooded area adjacent to the Lotus Guest Houses are twelve campsites. Campers have use of the bathroom, shower, and laundry facilities nearby Vivekananda Vihar dormitory. Camping is available from March 15th to December 1st.
Shared Dormitory: Bottom Bunk
Bottom bunk in a shared dorm room.
Dorm rooms contain 4-8 beds.
Shared bathroom
Dorm rooms are not coed
Availability is Gender Specific
Private Dormitory
This is a private room with a shared bathroom in our Ramalinga Nilayam Dorm - Females Only
LGH: Full Bed
Private room and Private Bath. A single Full bed and a private bath designed for those seeking peace in solitude.
LGH: 2 Twin beds
Private Room and Private Bath. Two twin Beds and a private bath that is ideal for friends looking to experience the bliss of Yogaville.
LGH: Queen Bed
Private Room and Private Bath. A queen bed or a queen with two day beds and a private bath that is perfect for couples and families searching for a peaceful time together. Please put in the personal comments if you need a room that includes trundles.
Tent-Site
Open from Mar. 16–Nov. 30. Closed from Dec. 1–Mar. 15
Set off in a quiet, wooded area adjacent to the Lotus Guest Houses are Eighteen campsites. Campers have use of the nearby bathhouse as well as laundry facilities at the LGH Building 3. Also, all tent sites have tent platforms for a more comfortable and dry tenting experience. Fires and Stoves are not Permitted. Price is per person per night.
Please bring your own tent, tie downs, tarp (weather protection). bedding and towels.
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
Yogaville is home to the Light of Truth Universal Shrine (LOTUS). The LOTUS is a unique temple dedicated to interfaith understanding and the Light within all faiths. Individual altars represent and honor the different world faiths and spiritual paths. The vision, design and inspiration of Sri Swami Satchidananda, LOTUS was dedicated in 1986. It demonstrates, “Truth is One, Paths are Many.” In the peaceful countryside of Virginia, the doors of LOTUS are open to welcome people of all backgrounds and beliefs.
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
Organic, vegetarian/vegan food
Labeled ingredients
Lacto-vegetarian
Gluten-free and vegan options
Salad bar
Large herbal tea selection
Coffee is available for purchase at Mandala Cafe
What's Included
- Accomodations
- Meals
- Meditation Sessions
- Yoga Classes
What's Not Included
- Transportation
- Airfare
