Wild at Heart Japan 2026
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Date and Time: 2026 September 7-10
Location
YMCA Yamanakako Center
419 Hirano, Yamanakako Village, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
Check In: 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM, Monday, September 7
Conclusion: 12:00 PM, Thursday, September 10
We are so honored and excited to share the upcoming event with you in Japan! What you are about to take part in may be one of the most spiritually significant experiences of your life—that has certainly been the report of the tens of thousands of men who have taken part before you.
Now, a few words of counsel…
Expect opposition. As you know, we have an adversary.
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” 1 Peter 5:8-9
Arguments with your wife. Health problems. Being inundated with demands on you at work. Assaults against your strength, your character. Roadblocks coming up between you and the event. Men, please understand—these are ALL indications that you are supposed to come! The evil one doesn’t want you to take part in what God has for you at this event. It’s not you, you’re not blowing it. It is simply opposition and it can be shut down!
Join us in daily prayer, standing in agreement with us and all the men coming to take this expedition. As Maximus says in the film Gladiator, when he and his fellow gladiators were thrown into the Coliseum, waiting for what they feared would be their destruction, “Whatever comes out of these gates, we have a better chance of survival if we work together… If we stay together, we survive.”
To start with, pray the Daily Prayer (translation into Japanese) available on our app or website. Pray:
~ For your own heart. That God would prepare it for what He has for you to receive.
~ For the supernatural protection of your family leading up to and during the event.
~ For your travel to and from the event.
In order to prepare your heart, we encourage you to read Wild at Heart in the weeks leading up to the event.
Please pray for us as we make the journey to be with you. What an honor to come alongside you and share together the beauty, truth and life-changing power of the Gospel for men. May this be one of the most significant weekends in your life with God.
For the Kingdom,
The Wild at Heart Team
Click Here to access the Daily Prayer. Please print it out, read it carefully, and join us daily in prayer.
Your registration fee covers your lodging, meals, and all of the teaching and materials by Wild at Heart for the duration of the weekend. It does not include travel arrangements to and from YMCA Yamanakako. Optional recreational activities may be offered, weather permitting. Details will be provided at the event.
John Eldredge and the Wild at Heart Team will be leading the event.
This event is designed exclusively for men.
Bedding will be provided. You will need to bring your own towel.
Cell phone, laptop, electronic notebook, and camera use ARE NOT permitted during the sessions as it is our desire to minimize all distractions during sessions.
Please Note: Cell phone access and internet access will not be available during the event. Phone access at the event will be for emergencies only. Two weeks prior to the event we will update this page with an emergency number here. Please provide your family with the emergency phone number, and let them know that you will be unavailable until Thursday after the close of the event.
Emergency Number will be posted here on August 24
Please do not contact this number prior to the event. If you have a pressing question that must be answered prior to the event, please e-mail events@wildatheart.org. Otherwise, your questions will be answered at the event. Thank you!
If you used a particular Group name when you entered the lottery, we will use that information as your roommate request. If you did not enter a group, but still want to room with someone else who is registered, please e-mail events@wildatheart.org. In order for us to do all we can to fulfill your request, this needs to be submitted no later than Monday, August 17.
If you have special needs (dietary, etc.) and have not yet noted them, please email events@wildatheart.org. Special needs must be submitted no later than Monday, August 17.
Check-in will occur from 4:00-5:30 pm on Monday. Followed by dinner and the evening session. You DO NOT want to miss Monday's evening session as it sets the pace for the entire experience. The event will conclude at 12:00 noon on Thursday.
If you are driving to the event and would like to connect with other attendees to carpool, you may post in the chat at the bottom of this webpage.
For those traveling from Tokyo, the easiest and most affordable option is the direct highway bus from Shinjuku to Hirano (Yamanakako).
Bus Reservation Link:
Highway Bus Reservation (Shinjuku → Hirano)
https://www.highwaybus.com/gp/inbound/inbPlanList?lineId=110&offStationCd=080
Departure: Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal (Busta Shinjuku)
Arrival: Yamanakako Hirano
The YMCA Center is approximately a 5-minute walk from the Hirano bus stop.
Typical cost: Around ¥2,200–¥2,800 one way
Travel time: Approximately 2.5 hours depending on traffic.
Our program begins at 4:00 PM, so these are the recommended buses arriving before the start time:
Recommended Arrivals Before 4:00 PM
10:55 AM → 1:39 PM
12:15 PM → 2:29 PM
2:15 PM → 3:39 PM
Late Arrival Option (Before 5:00 PM)
2:45 PM → 4:39 PM
For reference, here are all currently available direct buses from Shinjuku to Hirano:
All Direct Bus Options
7:45 AM → 10:09 AM
8:25 AM → 10:49 AM
8:55 AM → 11:19 AM
9:15 AM → 11:39 AM
10:35 AM → 1:09 PM
10:45 AM → 1:19 PM
10:55 AM → 1:39 PM
12:15 PM → 2:29 PM
2:15 PM → 3:39 PM
2:45 PM → 4:39 PM
4:15 PM → 6:39 PM
6:15 PM → 8:39 PM
Reservations should be fairly easy to make, so this information is provided simply as a helpful reference for planning your trip.
Event attire is casual. Bring clothing layers, a warm sweater or sweatshirt, a waterproof jacket, hat, and comfortable shoes. Dress comfortably and prepare for a wide range of weather. Again, bedding will be provided; however you will need to bring your own toiletries (shower supplies) and towel. We also suggest you bring a watch, a journal, Bible, and anything you need to disconnect and be present.
Click Here for the current Weather.
Much of the time will be devoted to personal reflection on what God is revealing throughout the weekend. We will provide all the information you need when you arrive.
In the unlikely event that you run into problems with your travel that result in your arriving in the middle of the night, don't worry... we'll still have a place for you. Simply come to YMCA Yamanakako and check in. You'll find instructions there on how to proceed.
If you are driving to the event and would like to connect with other attendees to carpool, you may post below.