Join Kristen McQuillin for a relaxing and creative day of insightful art, observation, and reflection in rural Chiba. 

Saturday, May 3, 2025
11:00 – 16:00

and also
Saturday, August 2, 2025
Saturday, November 1, 2025

Schedule

11:00 pickup at JR Awa-Kamogawa station
11:30 Drawing Meditation: pattern-making & relaxation
12:30 lunch at Gombei
13:30 Nature walk (weather permitting)
14:30 Drawing Meditation: insights from art
16:00 departure for JR Awa-Kamogawa station

Retreat Details

Enjoy the day Kristen’s home and workshop in Kamogawa, Chiba. The property includes forest and orchards, gardens with outdoor seating spaces, and lots of fresh air.

Both drawing sessions will take place indoors where tea, coffee, and snacks will be available.  Depending upon the weather, we will enjoy an observation nature walk or do nature art in Kristen’s atelier shed.

Please note that in addition to human inhabitants, there are also indoor cats. You may be lucky enough to meet and greet Fritter, Beryl, and Maura. If you have allergies, this may be unlucky.

Lunch is available at Gombei cafe a short walk from the venue. Gombei specialises in chikko, a traditional Japanese cheese (sometimes called “milk tofu”) paired with local produce and rice grown in the paddies of Oyama Senmaida across the street. It’s hyper-local food. Meal prices range from 700 – 1200 yen. If you have dietary restrictions, please bring your lunch from home. There are no shops or convenience stores near the venue.

A nature walk after lunch will take us along the country roads up the hill to Oyama-ji, a temple celebrating its 1300 year anniversary. There is a beautiful view from the hilltop. If the weather is too inclement for walking, we will gather in Kristen’s atelier for a demonstration of botanical color-making.

What to wear/bring: Comfortable clothing for the weather and shoes you feel comfortable walking in for an hour. All art supplies needed for the retreat are provided; you are welcome to bring your own sketchbook or supplies if you wish.

Cost & Registration

5000 yen includes two Drawing Meditation sessions, guided nature walk, art materials, coffee, tea, snacks, and car transfer to/from Awa-Kamogawa. Does not include lunch or train fare.

Participation limited to 8 people & car transfer limited to 4 people. Payment by bank transfer or PayPal is requested in advance to confirm your seat. Details will be sent upon confirmation of your registration.

Access

By car:
~90 minute drive from Tokyo. Limited parking available. Please arrive before the first session at 11:30.

By train:
Participants travelling by train will be met at Awa-Kamogawa station at 11:00 am. Afternoon drop-off at the station will be around 16:30. If you miss the pickup, taxis are available from the station; the fare is approximately 6000 yen.

Wakashio Limited Express (fastest trip, higher fare)

MORNING TRAVEL
9:00 Tokyo dep, 10:53 arr Awa-Kamogawa  
Travel time: 1 hour, 53 minutes.
Fare 3980

RETURN TO TOKYO
16:42 dep Awa-Kamogawa, 18:41 arr Tokyo 
Travel time: 1 hour 59 minutes.
Fare 3890

JR Sobu Rapid to JR Sotobo Local (longer trip, lower fare)

MORNING TRAVEL
7:44 Tokyo dep, arr Chiba 8:25 
(transfer to Sotobo line to Kazusa-Ichinomiya)
8:34 dep Chiba, 9:20 arr Kazusa-Ichinomiya
9:23 dep Kazusa-Ichinomiya, 10:25 arr Awa-Kamogawa
Travel time: 2 hours, 41 minutes
Fare 2310

RETURN TO TOKYO
17:38 Sotobo line to Kazuka-Ichinomiya
(transfer to Sotobo/Sobu Rapid)
18:55 dep Kazuka-Ichinomiya, 20:21 arr Tokyo
Travel time: 2 hours, 43 minutes.
Fare 2310