Japan UX Design Retreats & Workshops

Japan ux design workshops

Experience UX design in Japan

Our workshops allow you to explore a rural area of Japan with other designers, while contributing to the local community.

Connect

Our workshops bring together talented designers from both Japan and around the world, allowing you to make connections with and gain inspiration from other professionals (face to face!)

Contribute

You will have the opportunity to learn about the region and its people & businesses, define a design problem, conduct research and prototype a solution.

Explore

Throughout the week, you will be able to explore the area with your new friends. The workshop includes a guided tour of the town, and free time in the late afternoons & evenings to spend by the beach or enjoying the local cuisine.

Izu - Beaches, Mountains & Hot Springs 2 hours from Tokyo

This workshop will take place in the town of Izu Shimoda, located in the Izu Peninsula just over 2 hours by express train from Tokyo.

The area has a rich history dating back over 1200 years. It is well known as the landing place of US Commodore Perry's "Black Ships" in 1853 that resulted in Japan ending its period of isolation.

Today, it is a popular summer getaway with beautiful beaches, mountains and rejuvenating hot springs.

Like many rural Japanese towns, it is facing a decline in population and fewer tourists since COVID - presenting challenges for local businesses.

How it Works

1. Join us in Izu Shimoda

The program is held at a local co-working space that is walking distance from a beautiful beach. It is also a 5 minute walk from multiple different accommodation options, ranging from guest houses to luxury hotels, allowing you to choose accommodation that suits your needs.

2. Learn about the Local Area

On the first day, you will experience a tour of the town guided by local residents, an opportunity to learn about its history and the challenges that it faces. We will then break up into small groups and identify design problems to focus on during the week.

3. Work on a Solution

The following days will be spent working on our design problems from our co-working space, with research expeditions along the way. On the last day, you will share your solution.

4. Have Fun with New Friends

After the workshops end each day, you are free to spend the evening with new friends. We also are arranging two activities for after the workshop ends on the 24th - you can choose between a stand up paddle boarding lesson or a traditional Japanese pottery class.

Details

Dates

Friday 20th - Tuesday 24th September 2024
• Arrive on the 19th to settle in before the workshop starts the next morning.
• The last express train back to Tokyo on the 24th leaves at 3:08pm. We have optional activities on the afternoon of the 24th.

Location

Izu-Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture / Map
Learn about the location & accommodation options
• Around 2.5 hours from Tokyo Station
• Around 3 hours from Haneda Airport
• Around 4 hours from Narita Airport

What's Included

• Guided Tour of Shimoda City & Izu Geopark
• Design Workshop Program (5 days working in a small group on a design problem related to the town from a beachfront coworking space, with research excursions into Shimoda city and opportunities to meet locals)
• 4 Lunches (1 welcome seafood lunch, 2 bento boxes, 1 local udon restaurant lunch)
• Discord Community (Discord community of workshop participants)
• Souvenir Goodie Bag (details TBD)
• Arrangement of optional activity on 24th (charged separately)
• Participation Certificate

Participants

20 participants
• Mix of Japan-based and international participants, with a variety of backgrounds and experience levels.
• Current applicants are designers, researchers, students and PMs from Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, India, the USA and the UK.

Terms

• Participants must arrange their own transportation, accommodation and breakfast/dinners. (we provide suggestions)
• Cancel ~1 month prior to the workshop for a 50% refund, or a credit for future workshops.
• No refunds after this point unless the event is cancelled, in which case a full refund will be given.

SEE THE 2025 PROGRAM

Workshop Team

Ting Ting Wang

Originally from Taiwan, Ting is a UX designer & researcher at GLOBIS in Tokyo. She has over 10 years experience in UX and is passionate about UX community building - founding the UX MilkTea community in Taipei and co-founding Tokyo UX Meetup.

Maxwell Forrest

Maxwell is a UX consultant and the founder of Wayfinder Japan. From Australia, he has been living in Japan for over a decade and worked for some of Japan's top tech companies. He is the co-founder of Tokyo UX Meetup and IxDF Tokyo.

Haruka Makabe

Haruka is an experienced UX designer who has worked on some of Japan’s top tech products. She currently works for Slalom as an Experience Designer. Sometimes codes interfaces. Always curious.

John Leung

An experienced product designer from Canada, John moved to Japan in 2016 and has since worked with several of Japan’s top tech startups. He is currently a Senior Product Designer at UPSIDER.

See the 2025 Program

The program is now available on our new Design for Japan website.

SEE THE 2025 PROGRAM

Japan ux design retreats & workshops

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do you offer these workshops?

Through this program, we aim to bring together global designers interested in Japan and Japanese designers interested in working overseas to create community and cultural exchange in the UX industry, while assisting in Japan's rural revitalization.

Are there any requirements for participants?

No - as long as you are interested in the content of the workshop and open to learn new things, you are welcome to attend! For those new to the industry, you can learn from more experienced participants.

Can I receive a certificate afterwards?

Yes! You will receive a certificate to reflect your participation in the program.

What sort of people attend?

We expect participants to mainly designers, researchers and students, both from Japan and overseas.

How flexible is it?

The design project will be completed in groups, so we recommend joining all of the workshops. However the other activities (dinners, hikes etc.) are optional.

How can I convince my boss?

We have prepared a document with learning outcomes for you to share with your manager.
Click here to see it.

Questions?

Thank you! We will respond to your enquiry within 48 business hours.

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