Japan 2027 - castle towns and art islands - residency on the road group travel
Camp Wonder Wander
- Deadline
- 24 days left
- Entry fee
- $1500
- Location
- Tennessee, United States
- Exhibition window
- May 14, 2027 → May 24, 2027
See how this fits your work
Answer 5 quick questions and we’ll score this — and every call — to your medium, geography, budget and size limits. Free.
About
Join a 10-day group travel residency to Japan (May 14-24, 2027) focused on art, nature, and cultural immersion with fellow creative practitioners in castle towns and art islands.
Overview
A 10-day group travel residency in Japan (May 14-24, 2027) designed for artists, photographers, writers, and creative practitioners who want to explore art, nature, and Japanese culture with fellow creatives. The program features two hubs—Osaka (4 nights) and Okayama (6 nights)—from which participants can take day trips to destinations like Naoshima (featuring Yayoi Kusama's Pumpkin), famous gardens, temples, shrines, and galleries. Participants may choose their own adventures by train to places such as Hiroshima, Himeji, Kobe, Kyoto, or Nara.
Program Format
This is the third in a series of four annual group artist/writer travel experiences. The 2027 program emphasizes day trips where you decide what to do each day. Lodging will be either hotels (double standard or upgrade to single) or a large shared house, depending on group size. Much of the time is unstructured and on your own, though Val (the coordinator/guide) will help navigate to each destination. Some days allow for splitting off in small groups or solo exploration.
Eligibility & Requirements
Open to artists, photographers, writers, and creative practitioners at any stage of career. Applicants with nature as their muse, inspiration, or collaborator receive priority. Participants must demonstrate ability to travel with a group, adaptability to Japanese culture (no eating while walking, quiet on public transit, no shoes indoors), willingness to travel light with carry-on luggage only, and ability to carry own luggage through train stations and stairs. You must be adaptable, interested in creative and cultural experience over nightlife, and willing to adjust personal habits.
Key Dates
- Application deadline: August 6, 2026
- Program dates: May 14-24, 2027
- Osaka hub: 4 nights
- Okayama hub: 6 nights
Fees
- $300 deposit ($150 non-refundable)
- Full amount of $1,500 due no later than March 2027
- Program fee increases for those who confirm participation later in the year
- Flights to Japan and meals are on your own
How to Apply
This is not a typical tourist trip where you can book with one click. Applications start with a video chat conversation, and the group develops organically. Applications are accepted until the max participation number is filled, even after the August deadline. A waitlist will be created if the program is full.
Housing & Meals
Lodging is either hotels (double occupancy or single upgrade available) or a large shared house, depending on group size. Residents have access to a shared kitchen for their own meals. May involve sleeping on traditional futons.
Contact & More Information
For complete details, visit https://www.sarasvati.space/japan-2027
- Entry fee
- $300 deposit ($150 non-refundable) and payment plan with full amount of $1,500 due no later than March 2027. Those who confirm participation later in the year, the program fee will increase. Flights to Japan and meals are on your own.
- Eligibility
- Applicants with nature as their muse, inspiration, or collaborator will receive priority; any stage of career; must demonstrate ability to travel with a group and adaptability to Japanese culture and logistics.
- Audience
- Artists, photographers, writers, and creative practitioners at any stage of career interested in nature-based and cultural creative experiences.
- Also worth noting
- Waitlist maintained
- Waitlist
- The organizer keeps one.
Aggregated automatically — verify details at the organizer's site.