EXPERIENCE YOSHINO -
from Forestry to Traditional Carpentry

25-29 October 2026

Come and learn about wood in the most famous place in Japan for Cedar and Cypress cultivation!

For Japanese website please visit:
https://utsuwa-project.com/event.html

Explore the forests with 7th-generation forester

Visit a sawmill and timber yard...

... and experience a live timber auction

Learn about the repair process at Mooshaus in Yoshino

Hands-on build your own sample fusuma to take home

Learn to plaster traditional mud walls

Renew old shoji-doors with new washi

Get acquainted with carpentry tools with Japanese carpenters

Forest tour & Forest bathing
Lecture: Japanese Craftsmanship, Architecture, and Yoshino
Workshop: Kumiko 

Timber auction market, Q&A
Visit: Yoshino Cedar House
Tour: Sawmill
Workshop: Earthen walls

Workshop: Fusuma wooden frame making
Demonstration: Carpentry tools

Workshop: Renew shoji doors
Workshop: Fusuma wooden frame making

Workshop: Fusuma paper application
Farewell dinner!

More Information

This is a special 5-day course organised by architect Rieko Uchida and myself in Yoshino, Japan. We have invited professionals in forestry to carpentry to come and teach you many things about wood and carpentry. It will take place once a year in Yoshino, (Nara-prefecture) at the renovated, traditionally-built house called Mooshaus.  
Find out more here:  mooshaus.utsuwa-project.com

Today, industries related to timber construction, traditional building crafts, and material production face a serious shortage of successors. In particular, the decline in young people entering skilled trades has become a critical issue. This challenge is not unique to Japan; our colleagues in Europe are facing similar circumstances.

In response, the UTSUWA Project (utsuwa-project.com)  seeks to provide inspiration, awareness, and practical opportunities for young people who aspire to become craftspeople, as well as for those who are genuinely interested in hands-on DIY renovation. Through direct experience on an actual building site, participants will gain valuable insights into traditional skills, materials, and ways of working.

As the first step in this initiative, we are planning a five-day residential workshop program in Yoshino and at Mooshaus in the autumn of 2026. We would be grateful for the support and cooperation of local craftspeople, material suppliers, and community members, and would like to present the following program proposal for your consideration.

Locally-prepared lunches are included in the fee. The course will be translated to English where necessary. Apart from an early start on Sunday the course will take place during 9am until 5pm. 

Information on the area of YOSHINO and ACCOMMODATION options can be found HERE

Course Fees

1200 € Regular fee
900 € Educator fee
750 € Young person (25 or younger) aiming to become a craftsperson: (max. 2 places)

Booking and Payment

Please contact us for a invoice to book your place on the course. 


Email me for any queries you may have : contact@emishinmura.com



Terms & Conditions

Participation on the course is only booked when the full fee is paid. Various discounts apply, please check with us if you qualify.
What's Included:

• Locally made lunches
• Transport from Mooshaus to the venues listed for each day of the course
• All tours and teaching
• Materials and tools (you're welcome to bring your own ready-to-use tools if you prefer)

Accommodation is not included and will need to be arranged separately — please see the link under "More Information" for local options.
Breakfast and dinner can be bought in the local supermarket or convenient stores in the village.

Refund policy:

• Full refund until 2 months before
• 50% refund until 1 month before
  
• transfer to another participant always possible

Organiser's Coverage: Mooshaus/Utsuwa holds liability insurance covering incidents caused by the organisation's own negligence

Participant's Responsibility: Each participant must arrange their own mandatory basic health insurance for the full workshop duration, covering illness, personal accidents, and any medical costs not caused by our negligence. Please confirm coverage is in place before the workshop starts.

Not Covered by Us: Personal belongings/tools, injuries from participants' own negligence or misuse of equipment, travel/cancellation costs, or incidents outside official workshop hours.

By registering, you confirm you have valid health insurance for the workshop dates and will follow all safety instructions.

Visa Assistance: While we're unable to assist with individual visa applications, we're happy to provide a detailed itinerary of events and workshops on headed/official letterhead, which you're welcome to submit as supporting documentation with your visa application.

Photography Notice: During the workshop, photographs will be taken to share with participants afterward as a memento, and may also be used for future marketing purposes (e.g. website, social media, promotional materials).

If you would prefer not to appear in any photographs, please email us at contact@emishinmura.com in advance and we will ensure you are excluded.

Mailing List: By registering for this workshop, you will be added to our mailing list to receive updates about future courses and events. If you'd prefer not to receive these, just let us know and we'll remove you.