[Event Report] Recursive Company Retreat 2025 in Chiba

“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” – Phil Jackson

In April 2025, the Recursive team—now 48 members strong—gathered in Chiba, Japan, for a three-day company retreat. The goal? To strengthen team bonds, deepen personal connections, and align around our shared values and vision for the future. Personally, I was also looking forward to something quieter and more relaxing: stepping back from the daily hustle, reflecting on where we’re headed, and simply spending time with people I usually only see in meetings.

The retreat took place at Resol no Mori (リソルの森), an experience-focused resort tucked away in the peaceful forests of Chiba. It’s known for its wide-open sports areas, relaxing spa, and its strong connection to nature. What struck me most wasn’t just the surroundings—it was how quickly the environment shifted the pace. Within a few hours, Slack notifications gave way to campfire chats, and casual hallway nods turned into real conversations.

Over the course of the retreat, we took part in a mix of team-building activities, strategic planning, and vision-sharing sessions—balanced with moments for relaxation and fun. From BBQs and campfire chats to fun workshops and group workouts, our days together were a reminder of how powerful collaboration can be—both on and off the clock.

Living Our Values

One of the central goals of this year’s retreat was to reconnect with the heart of who we are as a company. We kicked things off with a presentation by our COO, Mikiko Ujihara, who walked us through Recursive’s core values—what they mean, where they come from, and why they matter in our day-to-day work.

As Mikiko put it: “The retreat served as a time for us to connect as humans, and not the minds behind the AI. We re-established our shared purpose, ignited our principles, and transcended borders to discuss how to drive our mission forward.”

Following the talk, we broke into small groups for a hands-on workshop. Each team explored how the values show up in our roles, how we can better apply them, and what it takes to live them out—even when it’s hard. The sessions were filled with honest conversations, laughs, and some eye-opening moments. It wasn’t just theory—we left with practical ways to bring our values to life, together.

Understanding Each Other

Did you know that the Recursive team includes members from over 20 nationalities? In such a multicultural environment, communication is about more than just language—it’s about context, empathy, and curiosity. In a special cultural understanding workshop, we explored the differences between high-context and low-context communication styles, especially between Japanese and Western approaches.

Through interactive activities and real-life scenarios, we unpacked how misunderstandings happen—and how to bridge them. The session helped us appreciate each other’s perspectives and gave us tools to collaborate more smoothly across cultures. It was a powerful reminder that great teamwork starts with deeper understanding.

Looking Ahead Together

The final day of the retreat brought a shift in focus—from who we are, to where we’re going.

Our co-founder and CEO, Tiago Ramalho, led a session on Recursive’s core technologies, sharing how they connect to our company’s mission, product strategy, and long-term roadmap. It gave everyone a clear picture of how their work fits into the big picture we're building together.

Tiago also facilitated a hands-on workshop on Working as a Team. Using tools and concepts from Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), the session helped us reflect on how we communicate, collaborate, and relate to one another—especially during fast-paced or high-stress moments.

Move. Connect. Reflect.

No retreat is complete without time to unwind and enjoy each other’s company—and we definitely made the most of it. Between workshops and strategy sessions, we recharged with group workouts and movement activities. I could barely finish the burpees, but the laughter and team spirit made every push-up worth it.

One of the highlights for me was the BBQ evening. We shared good food, relaxed conversations, and plenty of laughs under the stars. It was a rare chance to connect outside of work mode and truly appreciate the people behind the roles.

Later that night, we gathered around a quiet campfire for a session of personal reflection and group sharing. Surrounded by trees and soft light, we took a moment to pause—looking back at what we’d experienced and ahead at what we’d carry into our everyday work. It was one of those simple but powerful moments that reminded me why being part of this team really matters.

As we returned to our day-to-day routines, we brought back more than just fresh ideas—we carried a renewed sense of purpose and connection. “Our penultimate goal for the 2025 Retreat was to bring our diverse team together and reinforce our collective strength,” said Oktay Kurtulus, Head of Corporate. “The overwhelmingly positive feedback, high engagement, and visible connections made across different teams confirmed the retreat's success in achieving that goal for Recursive.”

This year marks Recursive’s 5th anniversary, and the retreat was a timely reminder of how far we’ve come—and how much stronger we are when we grow together. Here’s to the next chapter, built on shared values, deep trust, and a team that’s ready to shape the future.