Tokonomato is an artist-run studio and concise artist residency program in Nagano City, Japan, offering working space for contemporary artists during focused periods of practice.
Artists use private and shared studios while staying on site, using their time at Tokonomato to concentrate on production, research, and material exploration while engaging with art, culture, and everyday life in Japan.
While centered on individual studio practice, the residency also exists within a broader context of cultural exchange and local engagement. Through informal encounters, shared spaces, and occasional public-facing moments such as open studios or conversations, artists are invited to connect with the local artistic community and the wider public, fostering a quiet dialogue between practices, materials, and place.
Run by an artist and curator, Tokonomato supports focused artistic work and open exchange. The space also includes a project space presenting exhibitions by residents and invited artists.
AIR & Studio Program
Private and semi-private studios with on-site accommodation for visiting artists. Self-funded residencies offering time and space for focused research, production, and experimentation within a supportive, artist-run environment.
Exhibition Space
Uematsu K is a project space that includes a small Western-style room alongside a Japanese-style space with a tokonoma alcove. Exhibitions explore both contemporary display methods and traditional Japanese formats.
Workshops & Shared Practice
Visiting artists, workshops and community programs. Activities range from open experimentation with Japanese ink and materials to classes for children, discussions, and informal learning.