Silhouette of a city skyline with a large fountain pen nib above it, and text reading 'Urban Writing Halls' on a pink background.

Previous Urban Writing Haus Workshops

July 2026 “Hidden Systems” Studios

Studio #1 — Emotional Cartography with Joy Waller

What would a map of your inner world look like?

Which locales would feature deeply personal shrines? Which streets or train lines would have “DANGER” written in the footnotes? Are there any uncharted or forbidden territories?

In Emotional Cartography, we’ll borrow the tools of mapmakers, explorers, and travel guides to chart our own territories of memory & transformation. Expect unusual prompts, creative map-making (on actual paper! with legends!), and plenty of opportunities to turn personal landscapes into compelling writing. 

This creative writing workshop is led by Joy Waller, co-founder of Moon Hotel Press, co-host of Drunk Poets See God, editor at Tokyo Poetry Journal, and co-founder of Urban Writing Haus creative writing workshops. Author of poetry collections Pause :: Heartbeat and Cosmic Nervosa. joywaller.com

Brian’s Emotional Map

Joy’s Emotional Map

Louise’s Emotional Map

Ken’s Emotional Map

Katie’s Emotional Map

Map will be added soon!

Studio #3 — Chromatic Writing with Brian-Wood-Koiwa

Color is not simply a descriptor for something else. It has and can even be its own character: with weight, temperature, sound, taste.

Through guided exercises, discussion, and dedicated solo writing sessions, we will push beyond color as descriptor into character. We will practice cross-sensory writing and opening our senses to the chromatic saturation and desaturation of urban environments, e.g., neon, fluorescence, grit, dim alleys.

The creative writing workshop led by Brian Wood-Koiwa, co-founder of Urban Writing Haus creative writing workshops; author of the UrbanWeird serial novels Flowers Wilt, Weeds Thrive and Conspiracy of False Citizens; and literary and technical editor. He is also a photo walk guide here in Tokyo. urbanweird.com

Color wheel by Florent Farges

June 2026 “Interior City” Studios

Studio #1 — Self-Portrait in Fragments with Joy Waller

Close-up of a frosted window with a shadow of a bird on the glass.

Come assemble a self-portrait from memories, objects, contradictions, and fragments of everyday life.

We are rarely reducible to a single story. Instead, we reveal ourselves in pieces… Grocery lists, scraps of dialogue, train stations, bittersweet memories… In this workshop, we’ll explore how writers create vivid portraits of the self without relying on straightforward autobiography. Through guided exercises, discussion, dedicated writing time, and a supportive sharing circle, you’ll leave with new writing that captures identity not as a fixed story, but as a living collage.

This creative writing workshop is led by Joy Waller, co-founder of Moon Hotel Press, co-host of Drunk Poets See God, editor at Tokyo Poetry Journal, and co-founder of Urban Writing Haus creative writing workshops. Author of poetry collections Pause :: Heartbeat and Cosmic Nervosa. joywaller.com

People sitting around a conference table in a meeting room with green leafy decor.
People working at a meeting table with laptops, notebooks, water bottles, and energy drinks, behind a sign that reads 'Selected Pillow Book Lists'.
A wooden table holding a stack of books, a Tully's Coffee latte, and a flyer for a writing workshop titled 'Self-Portrait in Fragments' by Joy Waller.
A bald man in a blue polo shirt sitting at a wooden table, writing in a notepad with a pen, surrounded by a blue water bottle, a smartphone, and a small bag, with green plants and shelves in the background.
Several people sit around a wooden table in a cozy indoor space, reading and working with laptops and papers. One woman with glasses and curly hair sits on a beige sofa, reading a book. Some bags and personal items are on the floor nearby. A large plant and green wall decor are visible in the background.
A group of nine people smiling and posing indoors with a green leafy background and a window with blinds.
A table with books, a can of Tully's coffee latte, and a printed flyer for an urban writing workshop titled 'Self-Portrait in Fragments' by Joy Waller, scheduled for June 6 in Tokyo, Japan.

Studio #2 — Decadence: Too Much? Never! with Brian Wood-Koiwa

Colorful interior room decorated with posters, strings of flags, and wall clocks, with neon lighting.

Most of us have been told our entire writing lives to cut, trim, and simplify. In this workshop, we will have a lighthearted celebration of maximalism, baroque language, and ornate excess to give you the freedom to go deep purple in your prose and verse. We will use the Decadence movement as our inspiration and channel their infamous war cry ‘Art for art’s sake’. Through guided exercises, discussion, and dedicated writing time, you will leave with the confidence to buck the gatekeeping system and celebrate writerly excess.

This creative writing workshop is led by Brian Wood-Koiwa, co-founder of Urban Writing Haus creative workshop series; author of the UrbanWeird serial novels Flowers Wilt, Weeds Thrive and Conspiracy of False Citizens; and literary and technical editor. He is also a photo walk guide here in Tokyo. urbanweird.com

Flyer for a creative writing workshop titled "Decadence: Too Much? Never!" hosted by Brian Wood-Koiwa at An Urban Writing Haus, with a background view of a city skyline through a window.
Three people are sitting around a glass-top table in a modern indoor setting, possibly a conference room or café. One person is taking notes, another has papers, and the third appears to be reviewing documents. On the table, there are water bottles, bowls of food, and various paper materials. In the background, a small kitchen or kitchenette area with a refrigerator and a sign indicating Wi-Fi is visible.
Four people sitting around a black dining table in a room with a kitchen in the background, engaging in a meeting or discussion with papers, notebooks, bottles of water, and snacks on the table.
A person lying on a bed or lounge chair looking out a window at a cityscape with tall buildings. The person is wearing black shorts, and a notebook is on their lap with notes and printed images, including phrases like 'Decadence,' 'Too Much?,' and 'Never!'
A woman sleeping on a beige couch, holding a book, with a pink marble wall in the background.

Studio #3 — Feelings as Atmosphere with Joy Waller

Cityscape during sunset with buildings, railway tracks, and a train, featuring a colorful sky with pink, purple, and orange hues.

Every emotion changes the architecture of the world around us. The way anxiety flickers intermittently in fluorescent lights… Or nostalgia howls through train announcements and the beep of the rice cooker… And desire pulsates in neon-streaked puddles at midnight.

In this workshop, we’ll explore how writers can transform emotions into atmosphere through sensory detail, symbolism, rhythm, setting, and image. Through guided exercises, dedicated writing time, and shared reflection, you’ll create new work that captures emotional experience not through direct confession, but through the environments, objects, and textures that carry feeling for us.

This creative writing workshop is led by Joy Waller, co-founder of Moon Hotel Press, co-host of Drunk Poets See God, editor at Tokyo Poetry Journal, and co-founder of Urban Writing Haus creative writing workshops. Author of poetry collections Pause :: Heartbeat and Cosmic Nervosa. joywaller.com

A table with a brochure titled 'Feelings as Atmosphere' showcasing an urban train scene at sunset, plants, a glass of drink, and a container of nuts.
A woman with short curly black hair sitting at a wooden table in a room decorated with plants, books, and hanging lights. She is wearing a pink sleeveless top with black and white accents, a black necklace with a white pendant, and earrings, smiling at the camera.
Person writing in a notebook with butterfly-shaped nail art holding a pen.
Six people sitting around a wooden conference table engaged in a meeting, with notebooks, pens, laptops, and water bottles in a well-lit room with white walls and plants.
A man sitting on a beige sofa, writing in a notepad, with papers on his lap, in a room with indoor plants and wooden blinds.
Two people are sitting at a wooden table in a room with white walls. The person on the left is a woman with dark hair, working on a laptop with a sticker on it. The person on the right is a man with dyed pink and black hair, looking at his phone. There are various items on the table, including a bottle of green tea, a smartphone, and some papers.
Woman sitting cross-legged on a beige couch, writing in a colorful notebook, with a brown purse, papers, and a water bottle nearby, in a room with framed artwork on the wall.

Studio #4 — Neon & Ruin: The Gothic Noir with Brian Wood-Koiwa

Night scene of a street with cars and pedestrians, illuminated by streetlights and a large outdoor sign with Japanese characters.

This workshop will delve deep into the dark, neon splattered world of the Gothic Noir; a hybrid of two dark literary traditions: the Gothic, where the space’s past haunts the human, and Noir, where human cynicism and corruption haunt the present space. We will discuss and practice the stylistic tension between these two traditions and how we can use that tension to beautifully darken our writing. Through the guided exercises, discussion, and dedicated writing time, you will leave with a moodier, haunted hand and maybe the scent of petrichor in your wake.

The creative writing workshop led by Brian Wood-Koiwa, co-founder of Urban Writing Haus creative writing workshops; author of the UrbanWeird serial novels Flowers Wilt, Weeds Thrive and Conspiracy of False Citizens; and literary and technical editor. He is also a photo walk guide here in Tokyo. urbanweird.com

May 2026 “Writing the City” Studios

Studio #1 - Mythologizing Tokyo with Joy Waller Sat. 9 May 2026

A postcard of Tokyo featuring a stylized illustration of Tokyo Tower, Mount Fuji, and city skyscrapers under a clear blue sky.

A creative writing workshop led by Joy Waller, co-founder of Moon Hotel Press, co-host of Drunk Poets See God, editor at Tokyo Poetry Journal, and co-founder of Urban Writing Haus. Author of poetry collections Pause :: Heartbeat and Cosmic Nervosa. 

Come explore and create the myths & symbols that make up your own personal version of the world's most intoxicating city.

Tokyo is already a myth—layer upon layer of story, symbol, and meaning embedded in every neighborhood, every shrine, every neon-lit backstreet. In this workshop, we’ll learn to read these layers and write our own. Through guided exercises, a treasure hunt in the surrounding streets, and dedicated writing time, you’ll leave with the beginning of your own personal Tokyo mythology.

Group of eight people sitting around a conference table, engaged in writing or note-taking, with notebooks, water bottles, and personal items on the table.
A group of people walking on a city sidewalk in front of tall buildings, with a woman smiling at the camera in the foreground wearing a t-shirt with colorful text.
A group of diverse people standing on a crosswalk in an urban cityscape, some looking up and using their phones, with tall buildings, shops, and digital billboards in the background.
Person with pink hair, tattoos, and black sleeveless shirt reading a small notebook at a bar or cafe table, with a glass of clear drink and a menu in front.
Event poster for Mythologizing Tokyo, scheduled for May 9th from 2:15 PM to 4:15 PM at Shibuya, featuring an illustration of a traditional Japanese street with lanterns, a woman walking, and a cat statue.
A woman with curly red hair, glasses, and a nose ring, sitting at a wooden table in a restaurant, looking at an open notebook or journal, with a drink in the foreground.
A man with a beard and sunglasses on his head is sitting on a concrete bollard on a city sidewalk, writing in a notebook, with a backpack on the ground beside him. He is wearing a blue T-shirt, olive green shorts, and black sneakers. Other pedestrians are walking by in the background, and a building with a black gate and trees can be seen behind him.

Studio #2 - Weirding the Urban Mundane with Brian Wood-Koiwa Sun. 17 May 2026

Stack of orange and green shopping carts with a yellow crate behind, set against a dark, weathered wall with graffiti.

A creative writing workshop led by Brian Wood-Koiwa, co-founder of Urban Writing Haus, author of the UrbanWeird serial novels Flowers Wilt, Weeds Thrive and Conspiracy of False Citizens, and a literary & technical editor. He also offers guided photowalks in Tokyo. 

Come and get a bit weird with the mundane. Not everything in The City is neon psychedelic, rumbling trains, and the constant hubbub of the human mass.

In this writing workshop, we will slow down a bit and appreciate the mundaneness of The City. However, the mundane does not have to be boring. Far from it.

We will practice weirding the mundane through our writing by learning how to skew our perspective.

A person is lying on the floor facing a large window with a cityscape view, holding a pen and writing or drawing on a notepad. There is a bottle of water on the floor next to them, and a plant partially visible in the lower right corner.
View of a city skyline from a high-rise window, with a person’s legs and feet stretched out on a bed or couch, partially covering a workbook titled 'Final Writing' on a surface in the foreground.
A person sitting in a rounded chair on a balcony, looking out over a cityscape with numerous tall buildings and skyscrapers under a clear blue sky. There is a water bottle and some documents or books on the floor next to the person.
View of a cityscape from a high-rise window, with office desk items including a notebook, a pen, and a decorative pillow with an Aboriginal-inspired design on a chair in the foreground.
Event poster titled "Weirding the Urban Mundane" with a photo of a man with glasses at the top. Details include date 17 May 2026, time 14:00-16:00, location Takadanobaba/Okubo. The poster features an illustration of city buildings and a large octopus tentacle.
A woman with dark curly hair is sitting on a beige sofa, reading a book, with her legs stretched out and feet toward a large window showing a city skyline.

Studio #3 — Conbini as Sacred Space with Joy Waller Sat. 23 May 2026

A 7-Eleven convenience store at night, with illuminated signage and a pedestrian crosswalk in front.

A creative writing workshop led by Joy Waller, co-founder of Moon Hotel Press, co-host of Drunk Poets See God, editor at Tokyo Poetry Journal, and co-founder of Urban Writing Haus. Author of poetry collections Pause :: Heartbeat and Cosmic Nervosa. 

Come discover the holy symbols and rituals of devotion that elevate the conbini from mere convenience to a personal sanctuary of worship.

The conbini is a ubiquitous presence in Tokyo: always open, always stocked. Always there. But what if these neon-lit establishments offered not just coffee and snacks but also literal portals to the divine? In this workshop, we’ll enter the conbini as pilgrims rather than customers. Through guided exercises, a group visit to a nearby conbini, and dedicated writing time, you’ll leave with new writing that crafts a sacred experience in the most ordinary corner of Tokyo life.  

Note that this workshop will include a brief walking portion. 

People attending a meeting or workshop in a modern office or conference room with large window overlooking a city skyline.
An open notebook with handwritten notes and a pen resting on it, placed on a table. Next to the notebook is a magazine titled 'Conbini as Sacred Space' with a cover photo of a convenience store at night.
Person holding a triangular onigiri rice ball with seaweed wrapping in an empty refrigerated shelf at a store, with various soup cups on the shelf above.
A woman with short black hair sitting on the floor in front of a large window overlooking a cityscape with tall buildings and green trees, wearing an orange shirt, brown pants, and colorful socks. She is holding a clipboard with papers.
A person with multicolored hair, glasses, and a black outfit is sitting on a couch, writing in a notebook, with a coffee cup, snack, and some papers nearby, in a room with large windows and potted plants.
Event poster for 'Conbini as Sacred Space' on May 23 at Shibuya, featuring an illustration of a convenience store with a colorful mandala pattern in the window, with a woman reading a book at the top.
Four women sitting on a couch in a living room, reading and writing in notebooks, with a large TV and decorative items on the shelves behind them, and a coffee table with various items in the foreground.
A woman sitting in a modern white chair, wearing black attire, striped tights, and a black headband. She has dark glasses, is holding a pen and a bottle of vitamins, with a notepad and folder on her lap. She appears to be reading or studying near a corner with grey textured walls and a large window with light coming in. There is a drink with a straw on the floor beside her.

Studio #4 — Ensouling the City with Brian Wood-Koiwa Sun. 31 May 2026

Urban cityscape with tall buildings seen through a blurred, swirling window or glass, giving a distorted view of a rainy, overcast day.

A creative writing workshop led by Brian Wood-Koiwa, co-founder of Urban Writing Haus and author of the UrbanWeird serial novels Flowers Wilt, Weeds Thrive and Conspiracy of False Citizens, and literary and technical editor. He is also a photo walk guide here in Tokyo. 

In this workshop, we will focus on the premise that cities, especially megalopolises like Tokyo, are living entities who begin life as a creation of humanity but mature into their own being-ness.

We will imagine ourselves in conversation with Tokyo by asking ourselves questions such as what personality does this city, or any city you have experience in, possess; what are its fears and desires; and anything else your imagination can conjure—with the help of this mega-being muse we call Tokyo (would it even call itself that?).

Event poster for 'Ensouling The City' with a portrait of a man with glasses at the top, event date and time, location in Takadanobaba/Okubo, and an illustration of a city skyline with a large eye watching from above.
Two women sitting on a couch, reading books or notebooks, in a modern living room with a large TV and decorative shelves in the background.
A view of a city skyline with many tall buildings and green areas, seen from a window. On the windowsill, there are five pamphlets titled 'ENSOULING THE CITY' with additional text about an urban writing workshop in Tokyo.
People sitting around a conference table in a high-rise office with a city skyline view. The table has notebooks, tablets, water bottles, and food. There are five women and one man, all engaged with their devices or notes.
Group of six smiling people, women and men, gathered indoors for a photo, some waving and wearing casual clothing.
A desk with a purple pen on an open notebook, a printed page with cityscape images and text about urban innovation, a clear glass with blue heart patterns, and a printed poster discussing urban architecture and city identity.

July Studios Series Happening now!

Meet Your Hosts

A woman lying on a surface with water droplets, holding a tarot card that features a moon and a figure, partially covering her face.

Joy Waller

Joy was raised in the mountains of British Columbia, Canada and spent her young adulthood on Vancouver Island. She currently resides in Tokyo, Japan, where she serves as an editor at the Tokyo Poetry Journal and co-hosts the long-standing open mic series Drunk Poets See God. She is also the co-founder of Moon Hotel Press and the monthly Urban Writing Haus creative writing workshop series. Her fiction & poetry have appeared in numerous publications, including Best Canadian Stories 2021, and she is the author of poetry collections Pause :: Heartbeat (2019) and Cosmic Nervosa (2024).

Visit www.joywaller.com for more info.

A man with glasses, a beard, and a cap taking a selfie under a bridge or overpass.

Brian Wood-Koiwa

Brian was born and raised in rural Pennsylvania in the US but knew he really belonged in cities—the bigger the better. He was thus destined to settle in the megalopolis of Tokyo over 20 years ago. He is the co-founder of the monthly Urban Writing Haus creative writing workshop series; author of the serialized UrbanWeird dark fantasy novels Flowers Wilt, Weeds Thrive and Conspiracy of False Citizens; literary and technical editor; and founder of Tokyo Photo Explorations.

Visit the following for more info:

UrbanWeird Chronicles (fiction); BWK Editorial Services (editing); Tokyo Photo Explorations (photo walks)