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 ...

My favourite stationary shop in Kyoto is TAG on Karasuma Street, since I bought my first portable watercolour set there almost ten years ago.  My ever increasing collection of fountain pens was mainly purchased there as well.  So it was time for a homage, drawn with my latest acquisition, the Pilot Prera fountain pen.   I was installed in the café on the other side of the road, Takagi, wich apparently is a favourite of high quality coffee enthusiasts. 　京都での一番好きな文房具屋さんは、10年前ぐらいに初めての水彩絵の具の携帯セットをそこで買った時から、烏丸通りの文具店TAG本店です。持っている万年筆のコレクションもほとんどあそこで買ったのです。最近購入のプレラを使ってお店を写生しました。 　コーヒーにこだわりがある人に好まれているような、TAGの向こう側にある高木珈琲店で座って気楽に描きました。 reflection on the silver coloured pencil 銀色のところに反射が見えます Pilot Prera with custom-made grey ink and coloured pencils on kraft paper クラフト紙にプレラにカスタムの鼠色インクと色鉛筆

My drawing on top of my daughter's own masterpiece. 娘の名作の上に私のスケッチ。   Until now I have always used watercolour to add colour to my sketches.  But recently, I tried my three years old daughter's coloured pencils on a quick sketch.  I often helped her with her colouring so I knew how fun coloured pencils can be, but I had never considered using them in my own sketches.  However, I realised that the rough texture of a summarily applied pencil works well with my sketchy linework. 　現在まではスケッチを彩色する場合はいつも水彩絵の具を使ってきましたが、最近、3歳の娘の色鉛筆を借りてちょっとのスケッチで試してみました。彼女の塗り絵によく協力しているので、色鉛筆が楽しいことは分かっていましたが、自らのスケッチに使おうと思ったことはありませんでした。しかし、大まかに塗った色鉛筆のテキスチャーが私の落書きのような下書きに良く似合うと気づきました。 　   So, I bought myself my own set of coloured pencils and gave them a try, sketching simple subjects in a café.  I had so much fun that it made me want to complete an urban sketch I had abandoned unfinished some time ago. 　ゆえに、色鉛筆の新しいセットを買って、カフェでの単純なモチーフを描いてみました。あまりに楽しかったですから、少し前に諦めた未完成のアーバン...

I used to draw anything in front of me with assurance and abandon, in a simple style.  But increasing self-expectations -of sketching in colour, using good paper, or making a professional-looking picture- have driven me in a corner where I don't dare to pick up my sketchbook anymore.  "Will it be good enough to show to everyone?" "Does it qualify as an 'urban sketch'?" "Is it finished?" 　前は目の前にある何でも気楽に描いていました。しかし、最近、自分の期待のせいでスケッチブックを取り出せないほどの緊張を感じています。 Muji notebook - Pilot Kakuno with extra-fine nib, filled with Platinum Carbon Ink - Pentel Fude Brush Pen GFKP   So, I reduced my gear to a cheap sketchbook, an extra-fine fountain pen and a brush-pen.  They can all fit in the inner pocket of my jacket.  And so, whenever I found myself having a few minutes free, I just pulled my sketchbook out and made a simple doodle-like sketch. No pressure! 　ゆえに、写生道具を減らして、安いスケッチブックと極細万年筆と筆ペンのみにしました。そのすべてはジャケットの裏ポケットに入れます。それでは、自由な数分があると、スケッチブックを取り出し...

Hi Everyone! Last week I was honoured to do a practice in Kyoto Imperial gardens as a student of Horticulture department of Chiba University . Oh, basically, we collected old leaves and turned over the stones in the atmosphere temperature 35 C (feels like 38) and humidity 67%. In between I made some sketches about our work and Kyoto. Sento imperial palace Sento imperial palace Drawing during lunch break Kyoto Kyoto    Imperial Palace Teryu-ji, Arashiyama Meet ojiisan in the park Bank of Kamo river Kyoto Imperial Palace Fushimi Inari Shugakuin  Imperial villa    Katsura Imperial villa    Katsura Imperial villa     Shugakuin Imperial villa After practice  went to Nara and Uji Nara city Nara  city Nara, Todaiji temple Naramachi hostel Uji ci...