Art Career Journey in Japan with Michelle Lam

You will be walking 10 minutes to the welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Your meal will typically be a set menu with water and tea included. Additional food and beverages at your own expense. *Please note that Japanese cuisine frequently uses ingredients with animal products and/or gluten, therefore vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free diets CANNOT be accommodated.

For those who are up for it, join us on a "dinner afterparty," AKA a casual stroll around the streets of Osaka where we can just get to know each other and understand our goals on this trip and even far afterwards.

Overnight in Osaka.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental full/American, or buffet style. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel. *Please note that Japanese cuisine frequently uses ingredients with animal products and/or gluten, therefore vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free diets CANNOT be accommodated.

You’ll take a 25 minute ride on the metro train to Kuromon Market where you will have about an hour of free time to explore and meet back with your guide at a specific time and meeting point. This historic market, tracing its roots back to the Taisho era, with stalls offering an extensive array of fresh produce, seafood, meats, and local delicacies. It is a sensory adventure where the tantalizing scent of sizzling street food blends with the lively chatter of vendors and customers. A stroll through its bustling lanes reveals a seafood extravaganza, showcasing the best catches of the day, and invites you to try iconic Osaka street foods like takoyaki and kushikatsu. Note that you will want to bring extra cash with you for purchases.

Then you’ll take a 15 minute metro train ride from Kuromon Market to Shinsekai, meaning "New World" in Japanese, a vibrant and nostalgic district in Osaka that embodies the juxtaposition of old-world charm and contemporary energy. You will have about an hour of free time to explore and meet back with your guide at a specific time and meeting point. Developed in the early 20th century as a futuristic entertainment and shopping district, Shinsekai retains a distinctive Showa-era ambiance with its iconic Tsutenkaku Tower standing tall as a symbol of the area. Visitors can explore a labyrinth of narrow streets adorned with colorful signs, retro arcades, and an eclectic mix of restaurants offering local delicacies such as kushikatsu (keep fried skewers).

From Shinsekai you’ll take a 20 minute metro train ride to Dotonbori district where you'll capture the essence of Osaka and discover its iconic landmarks. You’ll head over to the renowned Glico Man neon sign to snap some pictures. Then continue venturing into Hozenji Yokocho, a charming alley celebrated for its atmospheric surroundings and a captivating moss-covered statue in the center of the alley. Your guide will share insights into and instruct you on the revered practice of prayer etiquette in this historic setting. Before concluding the tour, seize the opportunity to indulge in the local delicacy of Takoyaki, savoring its delicious flavors that embody the culinary richness of Osaka. Then take a 45 minute metro train ride back to the hotel.

After a busy day, we will take some time to decompress by drawing rough sketches of our experiences thus far, and writing down some ideas. We will break up into smaller groups to mix and mingle with other peers as I come around and learn more about each of your goals.

Overnight in Osaka.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental full/American, or buffet style. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel. *Please note that Japanese cuisine frequently uses ingredients with animal products and/or gluten, therefore vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free diets CANNOT be accommodated.

You’ll take a 35 minute metro train ride to experience Osaka Castle. Originally established in 1583 and enduring until 1868, the castle witnessed the rule of shoguns before the restoration of power to the Meiji Emperor. Though the current structure is a meticulous reconstruction dating back to 1931, it faithfully preserves the essence of its storied past. As you explore the castle and its grounds, you embark on a journey through time, gaining insights into the feudal era and the pivotal moments that shaped Japan's political landscape. The imposing presence of Osaka Castle continues to be a symbol of resilience and cultural significance, offering a compelling blend of history and architectural splendor in the heart of Osaka.

You’ll then walk 10 minutes to the river side to board a shared (public) boat for a river cruise. As the boat gracefully glides along Neya River, immerse yourself in the breathtaking views of the iconic Osaka Castle Park, where the historic fortress stands as a symbol of the city's rich heritage. The cruise unfolds scenic vistas of Nakanoshima island, adorned with modern architecture and cultural institutions, providing a striking contrast to the historical surroundings. Glide past the serene Sakuranomiya Park, known for its cherry blossoms and tranquil atmosphere. Throughout the journey, marvel at the city's skyline, dotted with famous buildings that showcase Osaka's vibrant and dynamic urban landscape. Then take a 35 minute metro train ride back to the hotel.

We will meet up again to draw in our sketchbooks, this time with more fleshed out sketches. I will talk about my art career journey thus far, from working at Netflix, to publishing a graphic novel with Penguin Random House, to now going independent. We will then break up into small groups where we will clarify what we want out of our careers and give feedback on your art if requested.

Overnight in Osaka.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental full/American, or buffet style. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel. *Please note that Japanese cuisine frequently uses ingredients with animal products and/or gluten, therefore vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free diets CANNOT be accommodated.

After breakfast you’ll take a Shinkansen bullet train from Osaka to Kyoto.

After checking in at the hotel and dropping off your luggage, you’ll take a 15 minute private transfer to experience the history and culture of Japan by joining in a traditional tea ceremony. The ceremony emphasizes mindfulness, harmony, respect, and purity. You’ll enter a meticulously designed tea room, where the host conducts the ceremony with deliberate and graceful movements. After being served a small traditional sweet, you will have the opportunity to make your own bowl of frothy Matcha under the guidance of your instructor.

From the tea ceremony you’ll take a short walk to the station and then board the metro train for 30 minutes to Fushimi Inari Shrine, one of Japan’s best known Shinto shrines and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start your exploration at the main shrine and then head on a captivating hike up the sacred Mount Inari, traversing a path adorned with thousands of vibrant torii gates. These gates, numbering over ten thousand and donated since the Edo period, symbolize wishes and expressions of gratitude to the deities. As you ascend, immerse yourself in the spiritual ambiance and the rustling sounds of the surrounding forest. If time permits, continue your ascent to the Yotsutsuji intersection, where you'll be rewarded with a breathtaking panorama of Kyoto sprawling below. After taking in the scenic views, descend the mountain and take a 25 minute private transfer to your hotel. Note that Mt. Inari is around 765 ft (233m) high, and is estimated to take around 2 hours to walk the full 2.5 mile (4km) trail. The trail has approximately 12,000 steps. Then take the metro train for 35 minutes back to the hotel.

Overnight in Kyoto.

In the morning, you’ll take a train ride from Kyoto to Nara for a full day of sightseeing.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental full/American, or buffet style. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel. *Please note that Japanese cuisine frequently uses ingredients with animal products and/or gluten, therefore vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free diets CANNOT be accommodated.

From the train station, you’ll walk 10 minutes to your first stop in Nara, Todaiji Temple, the world’s largest wooden building. Enter the enormous wooden gateway, towering over 25 meters high and fashioned from 800 year old trees, passing the guardian king statues of the temple. Take in the stunning complex grounds, as you gaze upon this impressive structure. Next, head inside to see the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue enveloped in a golden halo.

Next, walk 10 minutes to Nara's most celebrated shrine, the bright and beautiful Kasuga Taisha. This grand Shinto shrine was established in 768 AD, when four deities were invited to live here. Kasuga Taisha is not only ancient, but architecturally stunning. Be sure to walk through the hallways which house hundreds of bronze and stone lanterns donated by worshipers over the centuries. *Please note on some irregular days, the special area of Kasuga Taisha may be closed. On these days, only the main building of the shrine will be visited.

From Kasuga Taisha, you’ll walk 10 minutes over to Nara ‘deer’ Park. One of the oldest parks in Japan, where over a thousand tamed yet wild deer freely roam its grounds. Considered in Shintoism to be sacred messengers of the gods, the deer are still protected as national treasures and they call this park home. Stroll through “deer park” as the locals call it, as you take in the quaint yet ancient charm of the grounds.

We will casually draw life studies of deer, but could be the people, environment, or architecture you studied in Nara that day. This day will be more casual - feel free to draw at the park or using your photos later in the day. Opt in for a critique session where we can all learn from each other and improve our life drawings.

You’ll take a train ride from Nara back to your hotel in Kyoto.

Overnight in Kyoto.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental full/American, or buffet style. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel. *Please note that Japanese cuisine frequently uses ingredients with animal products and/or gluten, therefore vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free diets CANNOT be accommodated.

Throughout the day, we will break up into six groups of four. At your group's assigned time, we will meet up either at the hotel or agreed location to nail down the best ways you can make a living with your art, or adjust the ways if you already have a career. We will wrap up on any last minute questions regarding the next steps for your art journey.

Take a 15 minute metro train ride to the farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Your meal will typically be a set menu with water and tea included. Additional food and beverages at your own expense. *Please note that Japanese cuisine frequently uses ingredients with animal products and/or gluten, therefore vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free diets CANNOT be accommodated.

Join us on a story time with Michelle where she talks all things story, and how that led to becoming a storyboard artist and comic artist. In this workshop you will sketch out a 4-panel comic derived from one of the earlier rough sketches from the trip. We will break up into small groups to practice pitching your ideas, and how to leave an impact on your audience for an art project or business.

Overnight in Kyoto.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental full/American, or buffet style. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel. *Please note that Japanese cuisine frequently uses ingredients with animal products and/or gluten, therefore vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free diets CANNOT be accommodated.

I will have a special thank you gift for you before you head home to remember your trip and experience! For those who request it, you will also receive a summarized game plan of my suggestions for your art career sometime after our trip!