Where is the best place to sketch in Japan?

I often hear this question from people who are planning to visit Japan for sketching. Well, I can only mention where I have been for sketching. But other than that, I have't been to Kyoto for decades, nor many famous tourist destinations... that means I don't know... Actually, the answers are what I myself want to know. So, the best way to collect the info may be to ask those who have been/ experienced there, right?



The other day I asked those visitors from overseas and members of Urban Sketchers Japan Facebook group about ‘The best three locations for sketching you've been in Japan ( or in Tokyo)’.



Thank you guys who shared special and personal experience with us. I want to share their story .





Here, from James Ethos Klaus:

Firstly, I love my experience traveling to mt. Fuji despite the wet and foggy weather and unable to view it. I've booked a one day trip with several stops towards it!



Secondly, the Tsujiki market. It's old, traditional, and full of food! I just cant stop looking around hunting high and low for food! It's quite crowded though.



And lastly, Asakusa! I love how busy it is in the day - the temple, crowd and all and the night - its surprisingly quiet, with all the old shop lots around occupied by eateries. I love how peaceful and romantic with its dim street lamps.

Wow, I envy you, James. I haven't been to Mt. Fuji yet.



Here, from Katie Larsen:

Around Hakone and Mount Fuji was an amazing experience for sketching. Apart from that, I also really loved sketching in Kyoto just because every block is something new and exciting- there are so many shrines and temples!

I remember at that time we visited owakudani and took a cable car and a ferry and we could see Fuji 🙂 then another time I visited a ryoukan in hakone and drew the ryokan I saw.

So, she saw the mountain from Owakudani, Hakone. Hakone is also a nice location to have trip from Tokyo.

I would recommend visiting there, too.





Here, from Marian Moon:

I'm a regular visitor to Japan for work. I love sketching old Japanese store front and train. Looking forward to my next fall trip to Tokyo. 😄

I guess ordinary things in our lives are pretty interesting in strangers eye. This must be fun.



Here, from Vincent Desplanche:

For my first time in Japan I had the pleasure and the leisure to go on a hike along the Nakasendo trail (thanks to Johanna Krimmel) in Gifu prefecture and liked very much the old villages along this way: especially Tsumago-Juku and Narai-Juku. I also like very much the city of Hida-Takayama in the same prefecture. Greetings from France.

I have heard good reputation about Nakasendo and Hida-Takayama.. yet I haven't been..



Here from Michael Pope:

Gifu: sketching around the old city, the Buddha and ukai with kinkasan and gifu castle in the background (cormorant fishing by firelight).

Matsumoto: lovely city that’s easily accessible as a day trip. Matsumoto castle sits in the middle of the city surrounded by mountains. It’s a fantastic subject to draw/ paint.

Tokyo: the Museum of nature and science in Ueno and Yuuahyukan (Imperial War Museum) both make ideal drawing locations for those who like a spot of museum drawing.

Castles are one fascinating subject in japan, indeed!



Here, from Marni Zaiodin:

I spent my Sept 2018 in Kofu City Yamanashi Pref. under AIRY program. We went to Mitake Shosenkyo for waterfall and beautiful autumn tree, even in summer, the green always feel cool. the Kofu city itself are interesting and very dear to me . Takeda Shire, Kofu Station, Maizuru Castle Park among other plc. My favorite sketch are Ishizakaya Aioi, Japanese sweet shop. I am fortunate to experince and sketch local daily life around the sweet shop. Sweet memories.

July 2016 - Hokkaido - it's such a beautiful cross country travel to sketch about! i try to sketch more - but busy eating melon and cherry ! I haven't spent that much time in Sapporo , but if i do came again most defitinely continue my sketches at Historical village of Hokkaido AND Hokkaido Museum.

Kofu and Hokkaido, both are great for the nature as well as food!!



Here, from Evelyn Yee:

I keep going back to Japan. Love the country - hard to pick best 3. When I sketched with your group years ago, it was such an exciting day to be sketching the local sights and getting to know fellow sketchers (and a sumo wrestler) over meals and then experiencing karaoke bar. I have spent times sketching around Japan on other trips and it was always different, beautiful and refreshing. There is no shortage of places to enjoy (and sketch). On Marni’s recommendation, I am heading to Yamanashi next year! So looking forward to it. 😃

Again, nothing special but an ordinary karaoke pub can be a memorable one for sketchers.





Here from Ellie Doughty,

I loved sketching in Onomichi and along the Shimanami Kaido route. Onomichi was super friendly towards sketchers, the people are so nice, there are hills with great views over the city and river, lots of cats everywhere too.

There are such special places in Hiroshima! New for me!



Here, from Sarah Jean Bryson,

Anywhere in Japan you will find something beautiful to sketch! I was in Tokyo and Kyoto and made a sketch journal of my trip in May. Just my view from the hotel room one morning was different enough to draw interest. I did love the temples etc in Kyoto, make for fun pieces.

Yes, temples, shrines, torii gates are also unique subject.



Here, from Sarah Li ,

This is Tomonoura in southern Japan. It is a very scenic fishing village. On the day I sketched there was a firework show in the evening and in the afternoon there were many traditional food and game stalls along the main street at the coast.

This is a musical hall in Sapporo. It is located in a beautiful park. In Sapporo, there are many old western buildings. The Hokkaido University is another treasure trove of these heritage buildings. Every place is accessible by subway.

The third place I would recommend is the unesco world heritage Myajima. It is a beautiful island with wild deers walking around. No car is allowed there so it remains a quiet and clean place to sketch.

As to Miyajima,Ellie Doughty says,

When I sketched on Miyajima, a deer ripped the drawing out of my hands and ate it 😳 other than that & the huge crowds of tourists it’s a really lovely place.

Western buildings are also one of interesting and indispensable subjects in Japan!



Here, from Luz Vega,

I just came back from Japan, it was the first time I visited Japan, I have been able to visit Tokyo, Kyoto and Hakone, besides Osaka, I have been able to enjoy the beautiful autumn of its gardens and mountains, its culture and gastronomy, and I would like to highlight of this trip Arashiyama in Kyoto, with its bamboo forest of unusual beauty.

Kyoto is certainly one of best drawn locations!



Thanks again for sharing this. I hope this article helps in a way, and further info will be added as more and more people visit here and share with us... I'm sure there are always unique and hidden locations waiting to be discovered by you, I hope your first hand discovery will be thrilling and much fun thing.