A MONTH IN KYOTO
INSIDE A MASTER'S HOME
Not a tour. Not a workshop.
A genuine residency within daily Japanese cultural life.
In Residence
Daily Practice
Live Inside Japanese Culture
This is not a tour or a short cultural workshop.
Instead, you live in the home of a Japanese master, sharing daily life while practicing traditional arts such as Ikebana and meditation and tea ceremony.
Culture is not something you simply observe.
It becomes part of your everyday life.
What WE PROVIDE
Stay in
a Master’s Home
Live under the same roof with a master.
Intimate, Authentic Instruction
Practice ikebana, tea ceremony, meditations
Even beginners are guided step by step.
A Serene Environment
Accommodations are simple and minimal, allowing you to focus on your inner exploration with minimal external distraction.
Is This You?
You crave more than a superficial tour. You seek a deeper understanding of Japanese culture.
You want to nurture personal growth through quiet, attentive practice
You desire a sense of fulfillment from within.
a quiet month shaped around your own pace, spent close to a teacher's daily practice in Kyoto
Why This Residency Exists
Many people come to Kyoto to see its beauty.
But its deeper value is not only what you see. It is how life is lived.
Living more quietly here, I encountered masters whose way of life was shaped by attention, repetition, and care. I came to feel that Japanese culture is not something you simply observe, but something you live within.
This residency was created to offer that kind of proximity.
Not a tour, and not a hotel stay, but a place to spend time close to living culture and experience Kyoto through daily life.
Read the full story
The Master’s Way of Life Is the Greatest Classroom.
Experience authentic mentorship that
transcends titles and formalities.
Many programs teach only the ‘form,’ but here, you internalize the spirit beyond the form.
In the master’s home, you witness the changing seasons, the careful handling of tools, the shared meals—core elements of Japanese aesthetics woven into daily routines.
A true way of life comes from in depth personal connection and shared daily practice
Meet Your Cultural Master
Koyama Yukiyo
Fourth-generation head of the expressive ikebana
She is a Ikebana artist and tea ceremony practitioner, and the fourth generation head of her school. For decades she has shared the aesthetics of Japanese culture with students in Japan and around the world.
Her work combines classical ikebana, tea ceremony, and reflective dialogue, guiding guests to experience Japanese culture not only as an art form but as a way of living.
She has presented exhibitions and cultural programs internationally, including performances in Paris and Aix en Provence, and is the author of Floral Healing (Tankosha), exploring the connection between flowers and emotional well being.
At the Residency, she offers personalized guidance in ikebana, spatial composition, and the quiet rhythm of Kyoto life.
WHERE YOU WILL LIVE
Experience the profound rhythm of Kyoto not as a visitor, but as an intimate guest within the daily environment of an Ikebana master’s traditional household.
TRADITIONAL TEA ROOMS FOR DAILY PRACTICE & CONTEMPLATION.
PRIVATE BEDROOM
FUNCTIONAL KITCHEN
PRIVATE INNER GARDEN
PRIVATE ACCOMMODATIONS PROVIDE A QUIET SANCTUARY, WITH FULL ACCESS TO SHARED KITCHEN AND AMENITIES, INTEGRATING TRADITIONAL LIVING SPACES USED NATURALLY IN DAILY LIFE.
Price & What's Included
Regular price
$4,000
/ month
↓
OPENING RESIDENCY
$3,100
/ month
Cultural lessons
One month’s accommodation
Included
・
Lessons: Ikebana / Tea Ceremony / Meditation (frequency tailored to your stay)
・
Spaces & Facilities: tatami room access; private room with work desk
・
Shared Facilities: kitchen, washing machine, bathroom, living room, Wi-Fi
・
Materials & Tools: basic materials such as flowers and tea leaves, rental of standard tools
・
Living Support: regular check-ins with the program team
・
Consultation: One-on-one time with instructors, beyond the formal sessions
Optional Add-ons
・
Additional private lesson
・
Personal guidance and collaboration
・
Arrangements for special temple access or studio visits
Not Included
・
Airport transfers and transportation within Kyoto
・
Meals and beverages
・
Additional material costs
・
Personal consumables
Included
・Lessons
Twice weekly lessons (Ikebana / Meditation / Tea Ceremony)
・Private Space
Private room with work desk
・Shared Facilities
Kitchen, washing machine, bathroom, living room, Wi-Fi
・Materials
Flowers, tea leaves, and basic tools
・Support
1.Regular check-ins and cultural guidance
2.Additional consultation time outside class
Optional Add-ons
・
Additional private lesson
・
Personal guidance and collaboration
・
Arrangements for special temple access or studio visits
Not Included
・
Airport transfers and transportation within Kyoto
・
Meals and beverages
・
Additional material costs
・
Personal consumables
Optional Cultural Modules (upon request)
Expand your learning beyond tea and ikebana.
・
Kintsugi (traditional lacquer repair)
・
Zazen at a private temple
・
Calligraphy (shodō)
・
Pottery throwing and glazing
・
Wagashi (tea sweets) making
・
Machiya architecture walk / Private garden visit
Participant's Voice
A,t
IT・30y
"Through learning Kintsugi, I came to truly understand the idea of ‘embracing what is broken and creating new beauty from it.’
One of the most meaningful realizations was that even failures at work or turning points in life can be transformed into something uniquely my own—something with character and depth."
Why Kyoto, Fushimi
The residency is located in Fushimi, a historic area of Kyoto known for its quieter atmosphere, traditional culture, and local character.
While it offers easy access to major sites, it is removed from the crowded hotel districts, allowing you to experience a more lived in side of Kyoto.
How to Apply
Applying does not confirm your place. We always have a short conversation first. No payment at this stage.
1.
Apply for the residency.
2.
We review your interests and travel plans.
3.
We schedule a short video call.
4.
We design a suitable residency plan for you.
5.
Your stay is confirmed after payment.
※No payment until acceptance and questions will be addressed in a call after form submission.
Participant's Voice
A,t
IT・30y
"Through learning Kintsugi, I came to truly understand the idea of ‘embracing what is broken and creating new beauty from it.’
One of the most meaningful realizations was that even failures at work or turning points in life can be transformed into something uniquely my own—something with character and depth."
reflect Your Way of Life
Taking time away from the routines of daily life to truly reflect on yourself is a rare opportunity. But with a month or more of deep immersion, your outlook on life— and even your patterns of behavior— can begin to shift. A stay in Kyoto offers the perfect chance to spend a month at a slower pace, in a home shaped by tea and flowers, beyond the constant rush and noise of a busy life.
Enquire About a Stay
Questions first? Message us on Instagram or Facebook Messenger.
FAQ
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