Weekly creative writing studios in Tokyo
A relaxing accepting space for writers and creatives of all styles and experiences
Every month, we offer a series of four hand-crafted 2-hr afternoon studios, each on a unique theme comprising guided exercises, discussion, and dedicated writing time.
At their essence, these are creative writing studios, but all creative individuals are welcome to join, brainstorm, and/or glean inspiration for their projects!
We focus on creating a chill environment to nurture the imagination while providing techniques and inspiration. These are not critique-based workshops, so no pressure! All positive vibes.
You'll leave with one or a combination of:
A fresh angle on something that's been sitting in a drawer, forgotten computer folder, or deep in the back of your mind too long
The beginnings of a first draft of something you didn't even know you needed to write
A new scene, image, or character pulled straight from the studio theme and one of the most atmospheric cities on earth
The first lines of something that will actually lead you to a finished piece of work
Each studio is limited to 8 participants, so be sure to secure your space via the registration form for each studio below!
July 2026 Online “The Internal City” Studios
Studio #1 4 July (Sat. 14:00-16:00): Emotional Cartography with Joy Waller
Studio #2 11 July (Sat. 14:00-16:00): Chromatic Writing with Brian Wood-Koiwa
Studio #3 18 July (Sat. 14:00-16:00): Parallel Lives with Joy Waller
Studio #4 25 July (Sat. 14:00-16:00): Penning the Unmappable with Brian Wood-Koiwa
Follow us:
Studio #1 — Emotional Cartography: with Joy Waller
Sat. 4 July 2026 14:00—16:00 in TBD
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
Studio #1 4 July 2026
Description TBD
Studio #2 11 July 2026
Description TBD
Studio #3 18 July 2026
In Chromatic Writing, we will explore the power of color beyond mere description.Through guided exercises, discussion, and dedicated writing time, we will use color as emotional shorthand, subvert color symbolism (black as safety, white as menace), apply cross-sensory description — colors that smell, sound, or feel, and how urban environments are saturated with color-as-meaning, e.g., neon, fluorescent light, grime, shadow.
This creative writing studio led by Brian Wood-Koiwa, co-founder of Urban Writing Haus creative writing studios; author of the UrbanWeird serial novels Flowers Wilt, Weeds Thrive and Conspiracy of False Citizens; and literary and technical editor and coach. He is also a photo walk guide here in Tokyo. urbanweird.com
Studio #4 25 July 2026
Keep an eye out our August ONLINE Studio Series
Meet Your Hosts
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 Urban Writing Haus creative writing workshops. 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.
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 Urban Writing Haus creative writing workshops; 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)