deepen and transform your writing practice

what might a month-long creative residency spent in a peaceful Japanese kominka look like?

奇跡の作り方 | kiseki no tsukurikata | creating miracles

Your time in Matogata is totally your own. No pressure to perform or share if you don’t want to, no requirement to submit your work or seek feedback. Just 24 hours a day for an entire month dedicated to your creative life, allowing you to come and go as you please at the house, and spend your time as you see fit. There will be occasional events, workshops, outings and daily meditation sessions which you can join if you wish.

Here are some of things you are likely to experience during your immersive month in Japan:

Matogata House from the courtyard garden

arriving

Ground floor 'sakura' bedroom

settling

an ikebana flower arrangement

grounding

a delicious Japanese set dinner

preparing

a woman meditating in a Japanese room

meditating

a woman writing in her journal

originating

stone carved boddhisattvas on a mountain path

connecting

the library at Matogata House

immersing

cherry blossom and a circular Japanese window

breathing

a tea ceremony bowl or chawan

nurturing

a writing desk at Matogata House

consolidating

a group of women at a table in a Japanese restaurant overlooking a garden

befriending

a shoin-tsuke writing spot in the house

opening

Japanese handwriting

examining

sungazing

sunrise from the mountaintop behind Matogata
coffee and writing materials in the sunshine

reflecting

two women with parasols out walking

walking

two comfy chairs at Matogata House

conversing

view of Matogata from the mountain

exploring

Himeji castle at night

sightseeing

close up of pink plum blossom

noticing

a lady in a kimono playing a koto

listening

a group of women engaged in a creative writing workshop

sharing

a delicious kaiseki dinner with multiple dishes

celebrating

  • "This residency has something to offer every writer, whatever stage they're at."

  • “I never realised I could level up my whole approach to writing in just a few highly focused weeks.”

  • "Slowing down in a quiet sanctuary and allowing yourself to just think and write never felt so good!"