Japan Institute – International Residency

June 18 – July 4, 2025*

*Dates for Japan subject to change based on flight availability

New for 2025: This trip is now open to all adults (not just art educators) as part of our Lifelong Learning program.

Take advantage of Montserrat’s long-running relationships in Japan with a 14-day artmaking and museum-going experience. Montserrat faculty will introduce Japanese-style printmaking and bookbinding techniques to experiment with and incorporate into your teaching. There will be daily opportunities to tour historic and contemporary Japanese culture in the seaside city of Niigata. The trip ends with a few days in Tokyo.

LOCATION: Niigata is a beautiful “city of water” that faces the Sea of Japan, with the Shinano River, Japan’s longest, running through its center. The program is based at Niigata College of Art and Design (NCAD), where Montserrat has been affiliated since 1992.

COST: $4,750 for shared room per person; $5,250 for single room per person
Includes:

Round-trip airfare
All in-country program-related travel
Accommodations and breakfasts
Some meals out with faculty
Cultural site entrance fees
Studio art supplies.

Registration and deposit deadline: April 1, 2025
Full Payment: April 15, 2025

Japan Itinerary

JAPAN ITINERARY:

June 18 – 19:

Travel from Boston to Tokyo via plane. Travel from Tokyo to Niigata via Bullet train.

June 20 – 22:

Explore Niigata. *Specific visit days will be determined closer to the trip and will be based on weather conditions.

Visits to:

Niigata City Art Museum
Saito House
Hakusan Shrine and Hakusan Park
Sea of Japan
Kiyotsu Gorge

June 23 – 27: 9–4pm class/studio time

Printmaking: Learn Japanese printmaking techniques to make copies of your Japanese inspired art to take home with you or share with friends.
Japanese calligraphy: Learn from local artist the technique of Japanese calligraphy and receive your own calligraphy kit to take home with you.
Japanese Design: Icons, graphic design, and letter forms of how it has culturally evolved.
Japanese Art: Focusing on historical scrolls and paintings.

June 27: evening

Bullet train to Tokyo and check into hotel

June 28 – July 3:

Explore Tokyo *Specific visit days will be determined closer to the trip and will be based on weather conditions.

Print Museum: printing-museum.org/en/

Edo Open Air Architectural History Museum

Asakusa neighborhood: