Forests nurture materials. Materials nurture techniques. And techniques, in turn, shape culture. This residency invites creative practitioners to step into that living current of Kyoto’s craft ecosystem. With access to PERSPECTIVE’s rich resources—people, places, and methodologies—it offers time and space to think through making, situated within the deep entanglements of land and tradition.
Researchers / Designers / Artists / Project Creators interested in:
Natural resource circularity / Regenerative materials / Architecture / Landscape / Infrastructure / Ecology / Watershed thinking / Nature–culture relations / Situated practice / Making as research
We are also open to working with individuals whose practice aligns closely with our site and values.
If your background is in one of the fields below, you may be eligible for a discounted, exchange-based residency. Please feel free to reach out to us.
Current Exchange Partner Roles:
Carpenters / Woodworkers / Videographers / Anthropologists / Landscape Designers / Workshop Designers
Our residency is especially well-suited to research-based or context-sensitive projects. We ourselves conduct in-depth research on forestry, craft, watershed ecologies, and local histories—and we understand how difficult it can be to navigate these themes without contextual knowledge. Unlike standard translation or logistical help, we offer nuanced accompaniment rooted in our long-term engagement with the region.
To ensure meaningful support, we begin with a pre-arrival session to understand your project and context. Based on that, we can propose tailored support, which is estimated separately from the residency fee.
We aim to act not only as hosts, but as collaborative partners in shaping the trajectory of your project.
Fuu, our residence, is a 110-year-old country house tucked into the quiet mountain village of Yamaguni in Keihoku.
It sits at the foot of Mt. Tendo, a symbolic peak in the region, and just a few minutes’ walk away flows the clear Oi River. In early summer, fireflies gather in the evening, and in midsummer, children play in the water while fishers come in search of sweetfish (ayu).
The landscape is alive with the sounds of insects, birdsong, dense forests, and drifting mist—its richness often appearing as stillness, quiet, and the gentle absence of human presence.If you’re looking for bright city lights, convenience stores, or busy nightlife, this may not be the place for you.
Those who are sensitive to insects or to spending long hours alone may also find the environment challenging at times.But for those who find comfort in nature and wish to live in rhythm with the land, this place offers a rare kind of clarity—space to breathe, listen, and reattune your senses.
Within walking distance is Studio Mado, a multipurpose studio housed in a repurposed village school. Together with the residence Fuu, it provides space for creation, exhibitions, events, and connecting with the local community.
Applicants will be screened according to suitability. Even if you don't have a clear idea of what you would like to do on your residency, as long as your work or themes of interest align with the values of Residence Fuu, please feel free to enquire. We are also open to exploring possibilities together to shape your residency.
Apply NowFor more information the residency including costs please see this PDF.
