The ARCUS Project - Artist in Residence Programme, Ibaraki

The ARCUS Project is an artist-in-residence programme organized by the Ibaraki Prefectural Government. Launched in 1995, it provides opportunities to young and mid-career visual artists to develop their artistic concepts and skills in a community setting and facilitate cultural exchange at a professional and community level. ARCUS is also designed to provide local residents with an opportunity to appreciate art and participate in workshops and seminars. In coming years, ARCUS aims to become a laboratory and archive for creative and innovative ideas, focusing on artists who work with experimental and progressive modes of expression so as to provide the community with fresh and invigorating views on contemporary issues. The residence programme takes place in Moriya City, Ibaraki Prefecture, about 40km from Tokyo. Selected artists are provided with a studio in a community centre and funding assistance.
ARCUS Project Artist in Residence Programme website

Arts Initiative Tokyo Artists/Curators Residency Programme

Arts Initiative Tokyo (AIT) initiated Tokyo's first systematic artist in residence programme in 2003.  They are looking for partner institutions and organisations that can send or receive artists or curators to and from Tokyo.  The main purpose of the residencies is to provide time and accommodation in Tokyo for artists and curators who work in the field of contemporary visual art, to carry out research and to encourage new projects during their stay.  Residencies will be for around three months.  AIT provides accommodation only and not working or studio space.  They generally accept proposals only from organisations and not individual artists.
AIT website

Kyoto Arts Centre Residency Programme

The Kyoto Arts Centre offers studio and accommodation for all art forms for three month periods. It seeks trailblazing or young artists and individuals involved in art who have a strong reason to reside in Kyoto to engage in creation, study and research in art. It is interested in artists who will plan and follow through on exchange activities with local residents during the residency period.
Kyoto Arts Centre website

Nagasawa Art Park - Japanese Woodblock Printmaking Programme, Hyogo

The Nagasawa Art Park programme provides Artist in Residence training in Japanese woodblock printmaking to artists, printers and instructors.  Residencies are for approximately two months, with participants enjoying a traditional Japanese village lifestyle nestled among beautifully terraced mountains.  All prints by resident artists are exhibited at a local civic hall, gallery or museum.  Artists may also participate in papermaking workshops and printmaking collaboration workshops with local people.  Artists are expected to pay for their airfare, food and private expenses. 
Nagasawa Art Park website

Tokyo Wonder Site

Tokyo Wonder Site (TWS) opened at the end of 2001 in Hongo as a space offering support to young creators. Activities include international and local exhibitions, Artist-in-Residence, events introducing contemporary music composers and collaborations with traditional art fields. TWS has two locations, the other being Aoyama, which seeks applications from not only young and emerging contemporary artists, but also creators from film, design, architecture, fashion, performing arts, music, and other fields of the creative industry.
Tokyo Wonder Site website

Youkobo Art Space Residency Programme, Tokyo

Youkobo Art Space is located in a tranquil residential suburb in Suginami City, central Tokyo, and consists of an art gallery, artists’ studios, and the Youkobo Artist-in-Residence Programme. The residency programme offers local and international artists the opportunity to live, work, and participate in a solo exhibition and/or collaborative projects within the local community for periods of up to six months. Youkobo Art Space has an extensive community based network that can provide professional as well as personal support for artists. Its primary objective is to support and enhance the creativity of artists by offering opportunities for artistic investigation on urban issues in a contemporary Japanese setting. Its various programs are committed to providing the local community with creative stimulus by promoting cultural exchange between international artists and local citizens.
Youkobo Art Space website

The Japan Foundation

The Japan Foundation has a comprehensive database of residencies available throughout Japan: Japan Foundation Database