below is documentation of the Japan 2024 residency on the road experience

Interested in joining in upcoming sessions?
Check out the 2026 and 2028 plans.

Art & Nature
bi-Annual Travel to Japan

We'll take the creative flow on the road by spending two weeks exploring some of the amazing sites and off-the-beaten path areas of Japan with 8 creative people.

JUNE 25 - JULY 9, 2024

Basic Itinerary

Some of the destinations on the itinerary are spots where Val has traveled multiple times, while others will be new to her. Val's travel planning and in the moment ability to manage logistics can give you confidence in the experience. Some aspects of our day to day will be very spontaneous, like where to eat. Val will give you tips on different types of food, and when there isn't an English menu or pictures available she can share her experience (or we can look things up using our roaming wifi).

Destination Stops - June 25-July 9 agenda

tokyo

explore various neighborhoods such as Harajuku, Shinjuku, Asakusa, & Ueno

nara

The largest wooden building in the world features a large Buddha, plus art museums and sacred deer

uji

A small city between Kyoto and Nara with the oldest shinto shrine and a center for Matcha Tea production.

kyoto

visit sacred sites of shrines & temples, the Philosopher's walk, Gion (Geisha) district, gardens

takashima

nature abounds on the shores of Lake Biwa

tsuruga

a beach / port city on the sea

komatsu

a stone and ceramics heritage combined with nature, art, and culture

kanazawa

beautiful small city with Geisha & Samurai districts, gardens, modern art museums, and a fish market

highlights

We'll have at least one formal Forest Therapy (Shinrin-Yoku) walk at some point during the two-week experience, but noticing what you are noticing with a sensory experience will be a major attribute of our time.

Arriving in Tokyo after very long flight, we'll get to our accommodation and enjoy a group evening explore. Jet lag is the thing we want to combat.

Tokyo is a megalopolis and one could spend weeks exploring all of the neighborhoods.

3 nights / 2 full days with about 4 neighborhood highlights.

Harajuku

Takeshita Street is famous for fashion. We will blend urban and nature today by exploring the Meiji-jinga shrine and step through the often busy shopping streets.
Before departing this area, we will visit the exhibit at a Ukiyo-e museum and find time to look through vintage items at a really awesome thrift store (kimonos and more).

Shinjuku

We'll venture to this insanely busy and neon lit area for a brief evening. The highlight will be a show at the Robot Restaurant (pending re-opening from covid). Navigating these streets with a group is less intimidating, but the confusion could be part of the appeal. Bring your tripod to take night photos. We'll try to find enough room in a tiny bar in the Golden Gai district so we can say we did.

Ueno

Ease into a day with the natural surroundings of this area with park and more such as the The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. Find balance in an urban environment with this tucked away district.

Asakusa

Notice the contrast in shopping districts with the traditional area outside of the famous Senso-ji Temple. Exploring this district we'll see tradition in a variety of ways.

As a group, we will discuss the art/craft workshop options in this area that may be available on our date such as woodblock printing or glass cutting.

We may even end our day at an 'Art Bar'.

Arriving in Tokyo after very long flight, we'll get to our accommodation and enjoy a group evening explore. Jet lag is the thing we want to combat.

Tokyo is a megalopolis and one could spend weeks exploring all of the neighborhoods.

3 nights / 2 full days with about 4 neighborhood highlights.

Harajuku

Takeshita Street is famous for fashion. We will blend urban and nature today by exploring the Meiji-jinga shrine and step through the often busy shopping streets.
Before departing this area, we will visit the exhibit at a Ukiyo-e museum and find time to look through vintage items at a really awesome thrift store (kimonos and more).

Shinjuku

We'll venture to this insanely busy and neon lit area for a brief evening. The highlight will be a show at the Robot Restaurant (pending re-opening from covid). Navigating these streets with a group is less intimidating, but the confusion could be part of the appeal. Bring your tripod to take night photos. We'll try to find enough room in a tiny bar in the Golden Gai district so we can say we did.

TOKYO

NARA

Kyoto was the capitol before Tokyo. Prior to that time period (Edo), the capitol would have been demolished with each emperor moving to a different location. This is a large city, but the visual scale does not have skyscrapers. The blend between city and the traditions of shrines & temples is noticeable.

Temples

The most famous temples we'll visit are the Silver - Ginkakuji Temple and the Gold - Kinkakuji. Depending on the time of day, the lighting will be photo worthy. Expect crowds that will be wandering on the same paths.

Philosopher's Walk

A really lovely walking trail between Ginkakuji and Nanzenji, the centrally located shrine & gardens is a wonderful, slow walk experience. Notice the small shops that line the areas outside of the famous sites.

philosophers-path-of-philosophy-walk-cherry-blossom-trees-kyoto-.jpeg

Gion

Kyoto maintains the traditional Geisha district with several Geisha houses that will open to the public for events. It's really rare to see a famous Geisha on the streets, but the protoge - Maiko -young girls starting at the age of 15 might be one's you will notice. Their hair and make-up are different. Even in our contemporary culture, becoming a Geisha is a popular pursuit although not all will make it through the mandatory training of 6 years.

Arashiyama

This is a short trip from Kyoto and the bamboo is magical. We'll move away from the tourists and discover more of the temples, shrines, and gardens in this town.