arts itoya 2024 residency

Arts Itoya is an artist in residence program in Takeo, Saga Prefecture, Japan. Studio Kura, the company in charge of the long running residence progam in Fukuoka Prefecture, started it in 2018 after reforming an old kimono shop called Itoya.

Takeo is a town located between Saga City and Nagasaki Prefecture's Sasebo City. It is home to Takeo Onsen, which was started 1300 years ago. There is a gatehouse in the onsen area which was designed by Kingo Tatsuno, designer of the Bank of Japan building and the Marunouchi building of Tokyo Station. The gatehouse is classified as an Important Cultural Property.

Arts Itoya provides artists with residential facilities and bicycles during their staying period. Accommodation consists on one traditional Japanese rural house, which can be shared by up to four artists. Each artist is provided a private single room. Common room, bathroom, toilet and kitchen facilities are shared with other residence artists and there is internet Wi-Fi connection in the house. One partitioned studio space is offered to the artists as working space as well as exhibition space. There are enough restaurants and stores for daily needs at walking distance.