Residency Features
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Private bedroom, bathroom and kitchenShared studio useClosing exhibitionArtist concierge serviceArt and manga libraryCamera obscuraPrivate gardenGuided toursPersonal e-bikeOptional extras
private bedroom, bathroom and kitchen
includes all utilities as well as high speed internet, and consumables like shampoo and detergent
The bedroom features a custom queen sized bed, desk, and tatami nook where you can cocoon yourself behind shoji screens to nap, read or create.
Upstairs is a private kitchen and bathroom, including fridge, microwave oven, basic cooking supplies and utensils, washing machine, shower and toilet.
The rooms are cosy but very thoughtfully designed, and while intended for individual artists, there is enough room for a couple to stay.
Your hosts live in the same building in entirely separate quarters; your facilities are yours so if you are feeling like you need to hide-away, rest assured that your private spaces will not be disturbed.
Shared studio use
includes photographic studio and cyc-wall, lighting equipment, large worktable, high powered PC and projector
The studio is a shared workspace, so sometimes your host or other local artists will also make use of it. If you require completely private and undisturbed use of the studio for part of your creative process, this can be scheduled with your host.
The large white studio wall in combination with the projector converts the studio into a wonderful recreational space in the evenings. Feel free to watch movies or play video games using the projector and PC.
The PC is new and high powered, so if you need to do any graphically intensive work it is available to help you. It’s also equipped with a self calibrating EIZO monitor for colour sensitive workflows.
Closing exhibition
Exhibit at local landmark Sannomaru Hall
Every stay at Mayu ends with a 2 day exhibition of work produced during your residency, allowing the local community to come and see what you’ve been up to.
Sannomaru Hall is a beautiful modern building in the heart of Odawara. A short walk from the station, and right next to Odawara Castle, it sees plenty of foot traffic.
If your artform requires a different type of venue for exhibition, we will also help arrange that instead.
If your artform is not suitable for exhibition, we can alternatively arrange for you to give a small presentation of a WIP, or a workshop to local community members.
Your hosts are able to help with printing and framing if required.
Artist concierge service
Your hosts are here to help
If there is any local experience or resource you are interested in and are not sure how to go about experiencing it, your hosts will do everything they can to arrange it for you.
If there are bookings you need help making, cultural events you want to check out, art supplies you need help finding, or any general questions you have, your hosts will help.
So far we have helped arrange tea ceremonies, found subjects for portraiture, sourced rare photographic chemistry, introduced artists to local artists and artisans, helped with interpreting, and much much more.
Please note that while your hosts do not charge anything for this service, depending on your request, other parties may request a fee to make arrangements on their end. We will always confirm with you if this is agreeable before proceeding.
Art and manga library
a broad range of subject matter
The artist’s room contains a library hidden behind the bed.
Whether you are looking for visual references for inspiration, just browsing to pass the time, or cocooning yourself while bingeing a whole manga series, the library offers a little bit of something for everyone.
Camera Obscura
The studio can be quickly converted into a camera obscura
If you draw the curtains and cover the studio window with our custom made camera obscura panel, the studio can go from bright natural light to an otherworldly inverted projection of the outside world on the walls and floor.
Watch the clouds go by or the trees sway in the breeze while you lie on the floor, yourself inside an actual camera.
Great for meditation or yoga.
private garden
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
We are still working on the garden, and hope it will be finished by the end of Spring!
Guided tours
2 guided day trips by car
Take a walk on Mt Daiyuzan and explore the ancient temple of Saijoji.
On another day, dip into Hakone and see things like the pampas grass fields and the private Skyline between Lake Ashinoko and Mt Fuji.
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Hakone Sengokubara
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Odawara Tanbo
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Saijoji
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Enoura Observatory
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Enoura Observatory
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Hakone Open-Air Museum
personal e-bike
easy urban autonomy
While the trains will get you wherever you want to go further afield, Odawara has many hilly but narrow backstreets which spill out into parks and rice fields, and we think a bike is the best way to experience this.
The e-bike features a battery and powered assist, so even the hills don’t pose a problem or make you arrive at your destination exhausted.
Weather permitting, it’s the ideal way to pop down to Odawara Castle, a local restaurant or to do some grocery shopping.
Optional extras
additional activities available for a separate fee
These activities are not included in the Base Fee.
Listed prices include tax.
Bring your partner
¥3,850 per night
If you would like your partner to stay with you during part or all of your time at Mayu, we have tried to make it as affordable as possible.
Please note that the residency program itself is intended for a single artist, so while it’s possible to include your partner in some activities like the guided tours, they are not considered a regular resident and will not receive all the artistic support features of the main resident.
Japanese language lessons
¥3,300 per 45 minute lesson
We can provide on site intensive Japanese classes, up to 5 per week (every week day, teacher’s schedule permitting).
Your teacher can adjust the curriculum to whatever your language goals may be, whether it’s conversation, reading, writing, or just learning how to explain your artform to other Japanese people.
professional video production
Variable, starting at ¥55,000
A professional cinematographer can work with you to document your stay.
By default this service covers a simple documentary portrait of you as an artist at Mayu, but if you have ideas for something else (performance capture, music video, short narrative film) we would be happy to discuss this, though an increased fee may be required.
We hope you’ll take this video away as a great memory of your time here, as well as a useful promotional tool for your art and for future residency applications around the world.
You can see video samples over in the profiles of our previous residents.
photographic darkroom
Monthly Use Fee ¥11,000
This covers one month’s use of the onsite darkroom, which is equipped for monochrome silver gelatin prints as well as colour RA4 process (by hand). It includes chemicals, but you will need to buy or bring your own paper. Your hosts can help you source paper locally if necessary.
Darkroom Workshop ¥11,000
If you’ve never used a darkroom before but would like to know how, your hosts will gladly teach you. They will get you up to speed so you are ready to continue using the onsite darkroom for the rest of your stay. Includes all chemicals and some paper to get you started.
Additional guided tours
Fee varies with location
If you enjoyed your two free guided day trips, we can arrange more for you for an additional fee.
Check out some sights slightly further afield like the Izu Peninsula, an antique market down the coast, or the Lake District around Mt Fuji.
Fine art printing
30% discount with local fine art print house
All Mayu residents receive a large discount on fine art giclee prints from a professional local printer. This allows you to prepare for your closing exhibition on a budget, and have completed physical work you can take home with you, ready for exhibition or sale in your home country.
The printer can freely consult with you about what sort of paper might be best, whether it be the perfect sharpness of a German paper stock or the ethereal softness of a local washi.
pick-up/drop-off from haneda airport
¥11,000 per pick-up/drop-off
If you are not confident in using Japan’s train system to get to Odawara, or if you are just exhausted after a long flight, we can come and pick you up from the airport if you are arriving at Haneda (host’s schedule permitting).
Otherwise, we can pick you up from Odawara station free of charge.