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Join me in this exclusive Drawing Retreat and immerse yourself in the autumnal beauty of Japan, from the modern vibrancy of Tokyo to the timeless elegance of Kyoto. This unique journey is designed for artists of all levels, offering a perfect blend of inspiration, cultural exploration, and creative workshops.
Capture the dynamic energy of Tokyo, where futuristic skyscrapers meet ancient temples. Find serenity in Kyoto’s traditional beauty, drawing inspiration from iconic sites like Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the Gion district. Explore the timeless beauty of Nara, where architecture and nature have been coexisting for centuries.
Immerse yourself in local culture and perfect your urban sketching skills with personalized drawing workshops focussed transform your observations into unique sketches.
This is more than just a trip—it’s a chance to nurture your creativity and create lasting memories and artworks.
Book your spot today and let Japan inspire your next masterpiece!
Trip Overview
Inclusions
Double occupancy in 3 and 4 star hotels (limited single rooms available)
6 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches and 6 Dinners
Local guides
All the workshops and sketch walks
All internal transfers
1 Month Online Sketch Club Workshop Membership
Activities Included
Sensoji Temple
Tokyo Stationery Stores Tour
Tea Ceremony Experience
Meiji Jingu
Fushimi Inari
Nara “Deer” Park
Todai-Ji
Exclusions
International flights
Food and alcohol (except as noted)
Visas and travel insurance
Airport transfers
Double Occupancy:
€ 2,695
Only 1 spot left
Single Ensuite:
€ 3,195
SOLD OUT
Only €500 due to book your spot as deposit *
The reminder of the balance is due 90 days before the trip start date.
*The deposit can be fully refunded before the trip is confirmed. Once it is confirmed it will be not refundable.
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1
Welcome! Please be prepared to meet in the lobby at 5:30pm to depart for your welcome dinner. The dinner reservation time will be finalized closer to your trip date. If you plan on arriving today, we recommend flying into Tokyo Haneda (HND) or Narita (NRT) Airports
Dinner (Included)
Welcome dinner at a local restaurant is included. Your meal will be a set menu of traditional Japanese dishes with tea or water included. Additional food and drinks will be at your own expense. Restaurants are subject to change based on availability.
Accommodation
Hotel Monterey Ginza or similar.
Overnight in Tokyo
DAY 2
Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are Japanese, continental, or buffet style. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.
Meiji Shrine
Hop on public transportation for 20 minutes to arrive at Meiji Shrine. Connect with Japan’s heritage as you enter the nearly 40-foot high gate that leads into tranquil grounds dedicated to Emperor Meiji (1867-1912) and his wife. You’ll wash your hands in accordance with the Shinto ritual of cleansing, then observe the rituals and prayers that take place here.
Harajuku Visit
After visiting the Meiji Shrine, you’ll walk across to Harajuku Takeshita Street. Experience the vibrant energy of Tokyo’s Harajuku district as you stroll along Takeshita Street, a bustling hub of fashion and culture. Immerse yourself in the eclectic atmosphere as you browse through trendy boutiques, quirky cafes, and colorful street food stalls. From fashion enthusiasts to foodies, Takeshita Street offers a unique and memorable shopping and dining experience in the heart of Harajuku. The guide will take you around the area as well as give you some time to explore on your own. You’ll then take 20 minute public transportation back to the hotel for some downtime before this evening’s street food tour.
Lunch (Included)
Let’s go for Kaiten sushi (Conveyor Belt Sushi)!, one of the most typical way to eat sushi in Tokyo near Harajuku.
Workshop: Why I love sketchbooks – in Meguro
We will pay a visit to the Headquarter of Traveler’s Company in Meguro where I will be hosting a workshop about sketchbook and how to use it for travelling. You can also get the chance to use their special stamps only available in this shop. We will then relax and enjoy a coffee afterwards.
Sketch Walk around Meguro River
We will enjoy a stroll along the Meguro River, one of Tokyo’s most beloved and famous sightseeing spots. I will do a short demo using Ink and ink washing capturing the beautiful view of the river.
Dinner (Included)
Dinner at a local restaurant is included. Dinner is typically a set menu consisting of an appetizer, side dish, main, and dessert. A non-alcohol drink is included (juice, mocktail, herbal drink, soft drink). Additional food and beverages at your own expense. Restaurants are subject to change based on availability.
Accommodation
Hotel Monterey Ginza, or similar
Overnight in Tokyo.
DAY 3
Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are Japanese, continental, or buffet style. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.
Asakusa
From the hotel you’ll take a 15 minute metro train ride to Asakusa. You’ll then walk 5 minutes to reach Kaminarimon (Temple Sensoji entrance gates). Once an entertainment hub during the Edo era, featuring traditional theater like Kabuki, Asakusa has evolved from its historical role and is now a lively area filled with charming shops and restaurants. Nestled in the Taito ward of Tokyo, Japan, Asakusa seamlessly blends tradition with modernity. Its centerpiece is the iconic Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple dating back to the 7th century. The district is famous for Nakamise-dori, a bustling shopping street that leads to the temple, offering an array of traditional goods, souvenirs, and mouth watering street food. Be sure to bring cash for souvenirs and food!
Lunch (Not included)
You are free to explore the area, we will meet again in 1 hour at the Kaminarimon.
Sketch Walk around Ueno
After Lunch we will take a 10 minutes public transport to the near Ueno Park where we will go for a Sketch Walk, visiting the beautiful park in autumn. Ueno Park in Tokyo was originally part of the Kaneiji Temple grounds. The park was established in 1873 on the site of this former temple, which was a significant Buddhist temple during the Edo period. Kaneiji Temple served as a resting place for rulers of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Today, Ueno Park is a popular attraction, known for its museums, Ueno Zoo, and cherry blossoms. Kannondo and the five-story pagoda still stand.
Dinner (Included)
Dinner at a local restaurant is included. Dinner is typically a set menu consisting of an appetizer, side dish, main, and dessert. A non-alcohol drink is included (juice, mocktail, herbal drink, soft drink). Additional food and beverages at your own expense. Restaurants are subject to change based on availability.
Accommodation
Hotel Monterey Ginza, or similar.
Overnight in Tokyo.
DAY 4
Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are Japanese, continental, or buffet style. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.
Hotel to Toyko Station
We will walk 10 minutes to the Tokyo Station were will will get some lunch for the trip to Tokyo.
Lunch (Not included)
At Tokyo Station you can buy a bento box ( Japanese box meal) to be eaten on the bullet train.
Shinkansen (Bullet Train) from Tokyo to Kyoto (Included)
Approx. 2 hours and 15 minutes
Afternoon
You will have the afternoon free to settle in the new hotel room and enjoy some relax time before dinner.
Dinner (Included)
Dinner at a local restaurant is included. Kyoto has an extensive tradition of vegetarian food liked to the influence of buddhism in the city. We will try some of the most famous Local dishes like Nishi Soba and Yudofu.
Non-alcohol drinks are included (juice, mocktail, herbal drink, soft drink). Additional food and beverages at your own expense. Restaurants are subject to change based on availability.
Accommodation
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto, or similar.
Overnight in Kyoto.
DAY 5
Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are Japanese, continental, or buffet style. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.
Traditional Tea Ceremony
Experience the history and culture of Japan by joining in a traditional tea ceremony that is walking distance from the Hotel. The ceremony emphasizes mindfulness, harmony, respect, and purity. You’ll enter a meticulously designed tea room, where the host conducts the ceremony with deliberate and graceful movements. A small traditional sweet will be served after the ceremony.
Lunch (Included)
We will eat at a local restaurant in Gion district.
Fushimi Inari
You’ll take a short walk to the station and then board the metro train for 30 minutes to Fushimi Inari Shrine, one of Japan’s best known Shinto shrines and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start your exploration at the main shrine and then head on a captivating hike up the sacred Mount Inari, traversing a path adorned with thousands of vibrant torii gates. These gates, numbering over ten thousand and donated since the Edo period, symbolize wishes and expressions of gratitude to the deities. As you ascend, immerse yourself in the spiritual ambiance and the rustling sounds of the surrounding forest. If time permits, continue your ascent to the Yotsutsuji intersection, where you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking panorama of Kyoto sprawling below. After taking in the scenic views, descend the mountain and take a 25 minute private transfer to your hotel. Note that Mt. Inari is around 765 ft (233m) high, and is estimated to take around 2 hours to walk the full 2.5 mile (4km) trail. The trail has approximately 12,000 steps.
Workshop: Find your subject and make it special.
We will have some breaks in between the trails where I will be teaching you how to observe, find your subject and enhancing it with different compositional techniques and shading.
Dinner (Included)
Dinner at a local restaurant is included. Dinner is typically a set menu consisting of an appetizer, side dish, main, and dessert. A non-alcohol drink is included (juice, mocktail, herbal drink, soft drink). Additional food and beverages at your own expense. Restaurants are subject to change based on availability.
Accommodation
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto, or similar.
Overnight in Kyoto.
DAY 6
Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are Japanese, continental, or buffet style. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.
Hotel to Nara
We will take the train from Kyoto Station to Nara which will take approx. 1 hour
Todaiji Temple
From the train station, you’ll walk 10 minutes to your first stop in Nara, Todaiji Temple, the world’s largest wooden building. Enter the enormous wooden gateway, towering over 25 meters high and fashioned from 800 year old trees, passing the guardian king statues of the temple. Take in the stunning complex grounds, as you gaze upon this impressive structure. Next, head inside to see the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue enveloped in a golden halo.
Kasuga Taisha
Next, walk 10 minutes to Nara’s most celebrated shrine, the bright and beautiful Kasuga Taisha. This grand Shinto shrine was established in 768 AD, when four deities were invited to live here. Kasuga Taisha is not only ancient, but architecturally stunning. Be sure to walk through the hallways which house hundreds of bronze and stone lanterns donated by worshipers over the centuries. *Please note on some irregular days, the special area of Kasuga Taisha may be closed. On these days, only the main building of the shrine will be visited.
Lunch (Included)
Lunch at a local restaurant is included. Your meal will be a set menu served with water or tea included.
Hand Made Mochi shop visiting and tasting
We will stop by the traditional Mochi shop and taste their hand made Mochi.
Nara “Deer” Park
From Kasuga Taisha, you’ll walk 10 minutes over to Nara ‘deer’ Park. One of the oldest parks in Japan, where over a thousand tamed yet wild deer freely roam its grounds. Considered in Shintoism to be sacred messengers of the gods, the deer are still protected as national treasures and they call this park home. Stroll through “deer park” as the locals call it, as you take in the quaint yet ancient charm of the grounds.
Workshop: Drawing People and Animals to animate your sketch
Let’s take advantages of this unique place to learn how to introduce animation in your drawing to instantly bring it alive! You will learn how to draw human anatomy in a simplified way and also animal in different position. I will also explain you how to position them correctly in the perspective.
Duration: Approx. 2 hours
Dinner (Included)
Farewell dinner at a local restaurant is included. Your meal will be a set menu of Japanese cuisine consisting of an appetizer, main, and dessert with water included. Additional food and drinks will be at your own expense. Restaurants are subject to change based on availability.
Accommodation
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto, or similar.
Overnight in Kyoto.
DAY 7
All good things must come to an end, but only until your next adventure! Enjoy a final breakfast and then make your own way onward. If departing directly from the hotel, we recommend flying out of Kansai International Airport (KIX).
Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are Japanese, continental, or buffet style. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.
Join me in this epic adventure and let’s draw Japan together!
Frequently Asked Questions
Attending at the full drawing retreat is mandatory to ensure the best experience, even if you are already in Japan. So it will not be possible to attend only part of the trip.
Yes, everyone is welcome to join the Retreat, until the maximum number of people is reached (16). They can join the Retreat even they are not participating the drawing activities. Maybe this could be a fantastic opportunity to start a new hobby 🙂
The Retreat cost includes 3-4 stars hotels for 6 nights, meals as specified, all breakfasts, all workshops and sketch walks, transportation between cities, and entry fees to all planned activities and sites.
The Retreat does not include flights to and from Japan, airport transfers, travel insurance, meals not specified in the itinerary, personal expenses, activities outside from the planned ones.
Absolutely yes and it is encouraged. We will start with the basics of ink drawing and architecture perspective before guiding you step by step into the drawing itself. If you are complete beginner you will be required to follow a series of online workshops to be prepared. All the participants will get a month of online workshops on Zoom, so we will get to know each others and refresh the foundations of drawing before the trip.
Every artist has his own distinct way to approach to urban sketching. The beauty of this drawing retreat is also to offer you a fresh way to observe the world through my ink drawing and watercolor style. Drawing together and travel together will also give you new inspirations and shared drawing experience to further enrich your art journey.
It is strongly recommended to bring your preferred fountain pens, ink, sketchbooks and watercolours with you. This will keep your drawing experience consistent. Below is the list of material I use when I am travelling. During the workshops limited amount of these materials can be provided if required (excluding watercolors, brushes and stool).
You can also find all the materials in the link here
- Pen: Fountain Pen with M or F nib (recommended) or Waterproof Fineliners 0.5mm and 0.1mm – black
- Ink: Carbon Platinum or equivalent waterproof ink – Colour: Black
- Sketchbook: with at least 250 g/ms hot pressed white pages and hardback. Size A5 or A4 (recommended) or equivalent loose paper
- Watercolor set with main Primary and secondary colors ( Standard set of 12 colors will be enough)
- Large, medium and fine waterbrushes
- Small sprayer
- Portable Stool (recommended)
- Tissues
- Paperclips
- Pencil (B or 2B)
- Ruler
- Eraser
Through this series of workshops and sketch walks, we will cover the foundations of darwing, like perspective, composition and shading. Then we will explore various drawing techniques and creative processes to better turn our observations into a memorable sketches. The sketch walks are moments where workshops where you are invited to push your creativity and find your own creative style.
We will have effectively 5 days for drawing workshops, sketch walks and personal time. 1 day will be spent to travel between Tokyo and Kyoto with some downtime to visit Kyoto in the afternoon. I will be also drawing on the train and in the restaurant, so you are free to join and interact with me.
Overall the trip involves a moderate level of physical activity, including city exploration and sketch walks. Also, we will be mainly drawing on the spot, so participants should be comfortable walking and standing for extended periods. If you have any specific concerns, please let me know in advance.
Of course, the itinerary is designed with moments of downtime, I know how important is to have enough time for solo exploration. We will be in touch with a group chat so you will always know where the rest of us are.
Yes, most dietary restrictions can be accommodated with advance notice. Please inform us with any specific needs when you book your trip.
You will stay in 3 – 4 stars hotels in Tokyo and Kyoto. All accommodations are carefully chosen for their quality and proximity to our sketching locations or transportations. Please let us know if you prefer to share a double occupancy room or stay in a single ensuite room (with limited availability) when you book the trip.
Tokyo is accessible via 2 main international airports. You will need to book your own flight to Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) or Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND).
From the airport you can take public transportations to get to Tokyo Station where the hotel is located (more details will be published closer to the departure dates).
To ensure a personalized experience and facilitate one-on-one interactions, our group size is limited to a small number of participants. Minimum 8, maximum 16 participants.
Participants from all ages are welcome to join the trip, although participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, who can be a parent/s or a person approved by the child’s parent, guardian or custodian.
The central part of Japan is relatively warm during the early autumn. Dress comfortably for the workshops and sketch walks, with lightweight and windproof clothing suitable for beginning of autumn. Although, it is recommended to bring warmer clothing if you want to stay more days in Japan due to the rapid changing of the weather.
Yes, travel insurance is required for all participants. This ensures you are covered for any unforeseen circumstances such as medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or lost luggage.
Absolutely yes, you are welcome to extend your stay before or after the trip. Please let us know if you need any assistance with additional accommodations or recommendations for things to do.
To book your spot, please click the ‘RESERVE YOUR SPOT’ button and fill the form with your details and click the ‘SUBMIT’ button. A deposit is required to complete the booking process, with the remaining balance due 90 days before departure.
To book your spot, please click the ‘RESERVE YOUR SPOT’ button and fill the form with your details and click the ‘SUBMIT’ button. A deposit is required to complete the booking process, with the remaining balance due 90 days before departure.
The deposit payment can be fully refunded (minus the transaction fee if you opted for Pay Pal) before the trip status is confirmed by achieving the minimum number of participants. Once the trip status is confirmed the deposit cannot be refunded.
90 days out, cancellations are non-refundable.
If you have any further questions or need more clarifications, please contact me via email at andreadeng.art@gmail.com
I am looking forward to welcoming you on this drawing adventure!
Previous Retreats
Thailand – 23 to 29th September 2024
Andrea Deng
Architect | Illustrator
Drawing has always been an important part of Andrea’s life since childhood.
As a professional architect he often need to express ideas using hand drawings, and so his drawings became more informative and visually appealing in order to catch the audience’s interest.
In parallel Andrea started to use sketchbooks to keep track of his personal works.
He is also a passionate drawing teacher with the goal to let people discover the world through hand drawings and urban sketching.
Reviews
Cristina G2024-07-01Molto soddisfatta della mia prima lezione online! Andrea è davvero bravo a spiegare, è molto gentile e mi ha messa subito a mio agio. Sicuramente parteciperò ad altre lezioni in futuro. Consigliatissimo!
Daniele Atzeni2024-06-09Andrea è un artista che sa il fatto suo e insegna in maniera chiara e precisa, molto alla mano e con il fatto che i workshop sono a numero ristretto si può avere un rapporto 1:1. Aperitivo post sessione per chiacchierare e spendere un paio d'ore in compagnia. Top!!
Lucrezia Alfieri2024-06-04Felicissima di aver partecipato a questo workshop, è stato utile, interessante e divertente. Quattro ore a disegnare con la stilografica, prima volta per me, che sono volate. Andrea è stato molto chiaro e preciso, spiegando e svelando trucchi del mestiere. Adatto a tutti. Esperienza da ripetere, altamente consigliato!
Gladys Escobar2024-06-02Workshop fantastico, spieghi benissimo, ho imparato la tecnica delle linee parallele! È ad approcciarmi con l’ink. Perfetta introduzione alla prospettiva. Altamente raccomandato!
Dario Villani2024-06-02Un workshop chiaro e molto istruttivo. Adatto anche ai principianti. Io sono ancora all'inizio nell'approccio al disegno dal vivo e sento veramente di aver fatto un passo avanti gigantesco!