Residency Main Information

Find out key details about the residency.
The information about prices, what is provided, application process and other important information is below.
What we provide |
Not Provided |
Accommodation (see below) |
Your Travel costs and insurances Food (however tea and coffee available at the studio) Mokuhanga Materials for your on-going projects (see below) |
*Tuition takes place on weekdays, which is a mixture of direct tuition and access to Terry. Terry may also be at the studio outside these times working on his own projects.
Accommodation Details
We have Japanese style tatami rooms with shared facilities. You may be sharing the residency, and shared areas of the accommodation with other artists. There is no smoking allowed in the studio or accommodation, and also no pets. The house has a reasonably equipped kitchen, and supermarkets, convenience stores and a large variety of restaurants and cafes are nearby. The toilet, Shower / Bath are shared. You can enjoy a Japanese style bath. The studio is only ten minutes walk to Karuizawa station where Shinkansen, bus and local train services are available, the studio is in the midst of one of Japan's most popular and busy resort towns, however we are in a quiet side street.
Our Location in Karuizawa
Mokuhanga Materials
Materials for an initial first print (A4 or smaller) will be provided. After this you will be responsible for purchasing materials (wood, polyfilm & paper) for your mokuhanga projects, either bringing your own, buying from the studio, or buying elsewhere in Japan. The scale and scope of your projects will be your choice, however Terry may give you recommendations on projects to improve your skills. We have a range of materials available, can help you order in Japan, and also provide you with information on suppliers.
Prices ~ Tuition, Accommodation and Studio Access
Final price depends on your accommodation choice
5 Days (minimum) | 7 Days | 15 Days | Additional days* | |
Tuition with Studio Access |
¥50,000 + accommodation |
¥70,000 + accommodation |
¥150,000 + accommodation |
After 15 days ¥6000 per day After 30 days ¥5000 per day + accommodation |
Accommodation |
Shared Tatami room ¥3000 per night (2 places) |
Private Tatami room ¥5000 (1 room) |
Reduced prices for stays longer than four weeks. *maximum time 10 weeks |
You can find more information about the pricing in the Residency Costs Table page.
Payment of ¥10,000 deposit is required at time of booking confirmation, and the balance on arrival.
Application Process
Use the form on this page to contact us, filling in your preferred dates and other information. We will get back to you with availability as soon as we can. The places are offered on a "first come - first served" basis. There is no restricted selection process, we welcome artists and interested people of all skill levels.
Other Residency Options |
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Self-directed Mokuhanga |
Work on your own mokuhanga project independently. Use of the studio and equipment is available, but tuition is not included. Make use of the authentic and inspiring location to develop new work. This is only for experienced mokuhanga practioners | Apply for pricing - daily studio fee and accommodation |
Other Accomodation |
Use other local accommodation while you receive tuition | Tuition fee applies |
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About Karuizawa
Karuizawa - alpine village with a rich history..
Located just over one hour from central Tokyo by shinkansen, Karuizawa is a charming alpine village filled with boutique shops, restaraunts and pleasant scenery. Originally a post town on the Nakasendo (Old, Edo period highway) it evolved into a popular resort for foreigners and the Tokyo Elite. Now it is a popular domestic holiday destination, with a unique brand within Japan. Largely ignored by Western tourists for the larger tourist destinations it offers a pleasant lifestyle, clean air and few crowds. Although some regular holiday weeks, such as Obon in August the roads can be crowded.
Recently a younger generation has shifted out of Tokyo to make Karuizawa their permanent home. All year round Karuizawa is a quiet and pleasant destination that is also an easy access point for short trips to see more of Japan.
What is the best time to stay in Karuizawa? Every season has it's own distinct charms, there is no bad time to be here.
Spring March / April / May |
Summer June / July / August |
Autumn September / October / November |
Winter December / January/ February |
Cherry Blossoms (late April) leading to fresh green leaves.. still cold in March, but warming up.. May is beautiful, with warm days, cool nights, fresh mountain air and beautiful green everywhere.. |
Warm, even hot, with the forest and alpine cool that has made Karuizawa a favourite Summer break.. Japan has a 5th season - "Tsuyu" the rainy season, usually two or three weeks at the end of June, but it's a good time for printing! |
Gradually getting cooler and even cold by the end of November, with amazing Autumn leaves in October, early November... "Akibare" means beautiful sunny Autumn day, not a cloud in the sky! |
Cold with snow.. crisp air and sunny days, heated rooms and perfect for carving and printing.. Japan's winter is the dry season - not so much rain with cold and sunny days. |
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The town of Karuizawa at the foot of Asama-yama, in Nagano
Read some more about Karuizawa on these tourism websites:
Go! Nagano (This website also has information about nearby attractions)
Karuizawa Location

Enjoy several galleries of Karuizawa Mokuhanga Residency, Artists and their prints, the scenic beauty of Karuizawa town and some photographs of the studio building.
Studio Pictures
A few pictures of the studio and location (winter...)!
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Residency Costs Table
This table allows you to see the overall cost of your residency, depending on the options you choose.
Note that tuition is Monday to Friday, so each full week of seven days has 5 days tuition plus 2 additional nights stay. Depending on your dates starting and finishing, there may be some variation in the tuition days and accomodation nights. Please ask to confirm the cost.
Residency Costs Table | |||||||||
Residency | Tuition days | Stay nights | Tuition Only | Tuition + Shared Room | Tuition and Private Room | Own Creative Shared Room | Own Creative Private Room | Studio Use per day | |
5 Days | 5 | 5 | ¥50,000 | ¥65,000 | ¥75,000 | ¥15,000 | ¥25,000 | ¥3,000 | |
7 days | 7 | 9 | ¥70,000 | ¥97,000 | ¥115,000 | ¥27,000 | ¥45,000 | ||
2 weeks | 10 | 14 | ¥100,000 | ¥142,000 | ¥170,000 | ¥42,000 | ¥70,000 | ||
15 Days | 15 | 19 | ¥150,000 | ¥207,000 | ¥245,000 | ¥57,000 | ¥95,000 | ||
3 weeks | 15 | 21 | ¥150,000 | ¥213,000 | ¥255,000 | ¥63,000 | ¥105,000 | ||
4 weeks | 20 | 28 | ¥180,000 | ¥260,500 | ¥313,000 | ¥84,000 | ¥140,000 | ||
5 weeks | 25 | 35 | ¥210,000 | ¥308,000 | ¥371,000 | ¥105,000 | ¥175,000 | ||
6 weeks | 30 | 42 | ¥240,000 | ¥355,500 | ¥429,000 | ¥126,000 | ¥210,000 | ||
7 weeks | 35 | 49 | ¥265,000 | ¥394,500 | ¥475,000 | ¥147,000 | ¥245,000 | ||
8 weeks | 40 | 56 | ¥290,000 | ¥433,500 | ¥521,000 | ¥168,000 | ¥280,000 | ||
9 weeks | 45 | 63 | ¥315,000 | ¥472,500 | ¥567,000 | ¥189,000 | ¥315,000 | ||
10 weeks | 50 | 70 | ¥340,000 | ¥511,500 | ¥613,000 | ¥210,000 | ¥350,000 | ||
Tuition per day |
Shared room per night |
Private room per night |
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Short Term | ¥10,000 | ¥3000 | ¥5000 | ¥3000 | ¥5000 | ||||
After 3 weeks* | ¥6000 | ¥2500 | ¥4000 | ||||||
After 6 weeks* | ¥5000 | ¥2000 | ¥3000 | ||||||
* Tuition and Room rates reduce after 21 nights, and again after 42 nights