FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I bring a guest to stay for the full or partial duration of my residency? Yes, up to one guest per residency period is welcome to stay at the house with the resident. Both the resident and guest are required to sign an agreement outlining the residency terms. Additional daytime or overnight visitors are generally not permitted.
Can I bring children? Children of school age and above are welcome as the resident’s one guest. The site is not safe or appropriate for smaller children.
Can I bring a pet? Unfortunately pets are not permitted.
Can I have additional visitors during my stay? Additional daytime or overnight visitors are generally not permitted. Please discuss any exceptions in advance.
Is there wifi? Yes, wifi is available throughout the house. A house iPhone is also provided.
Is a car available? Yes, a car is available for daily use, but should not be taken for longer trips outside of Nikko. Insurance covers all drivers but an international driving permit, in addition to a regular license, is required in Japan and should be obtained before travel.
Do I need to drive? Driving is not a requirement. The town, major sites, and daily necessities are all within walking distance of the house. A car is available for those who wish to explore further afield, but many residents have managed comfortably without driving.
Do I need to speak Japanese? Japanese is not required but is obviously very helpful. It is worth knowing that English is not widely spoken in the countryside. The staff at the house speak Japanese only. Anne is available to help bridge any language gap when needed but residents have managed just fine with Google Translate, DeepL or other apps for day to day communications. For projects, when possible, within reason, we can try to find someone to help make calls or help out, on a case by case basis, remotely.
Will someone pick me up from the airport? No, the residency is self-driven and best suited to independent people. Arrival and settling in are the resident’s own undertaking, though detailed instructions for getting to the house are provided in advance.
Is there a dedicated studio space? A studio on the second floor of an adjacent building is available to residents from late March to mid-December, for painting and any art-making that could damage the house or its furnishings. The studio is not heated and is not suitable for use during the winter months.
What does the studio offer in terms of equipment and facilities? The studio is quite basic and is provided as an empty space with natural light. Residents are responsible for bringing any equipment or materials they need. Please note that anything brought into the studio must be taken out at the end of the residency. The disposal of materials in Japan can be costly and complicated, so planning accordingly is strongly advised.
Is there an art supply store in Nikko? There is no dedicated art supply store in Nikko, though home supply and stationery stores are available in town. The nearest dedicated art supply store is in Utsunomiya, approximately 40 minutes away by train. A list of recommended stores in Tokyo is available upon request. It is advisable to plan and bring supplies in advance.
Is it possible to make work about Troedsson Villa or its history or use the interior in my work? Troedsson Villa is a private home and the site of an ongoing artistic practice. While residents are welcome to be inspired by the house, we ask that it not become the subject matter of their work. The residency is offered as a site, a place to work from, not a place to work about. It is not possible to use the interior as a backdrop for photographic works.
Can I rearrange furniture? No, due to the fragility and value of the antiques in the house, we ask residents to avoid moving furniture and lamps.
Can I work in or photograph the garden? The garden is fair game as subject matter and may be photographed, filmed, or rendered in work. However, work may not be installed in the garden, and we ask that residents be mindful of the moss, which requires considerable ongoing care. Please tread lightly.
How do I get from Tokyo to Nikko? The Tobu Line is the most affordable and convenient option, departing from Tobu Asakusa Station in Tokyo. The fastest train is the Limited Express Spacia or Revaty “Kegon,” which requires no transfers and takes just under 2 hours for approximately 3000 JPY one way. Regular trains cost about half as much but involve transfers and take closer to 3 hours. Train travel from Narita or Haneda Airport to Nikko takes over 4 hours. We recommend shipping luggage from the airport upon arrival rather than carrying it on the train. When departing, bags should be sent at least two days before your flight. Google Maps is useful for navigation, though many people in Japan prefer Jorudan or Navitime.
How do I get from Tobu Nikko Station to the house? There are three options: Taxi, Bus, or walking. A taxi from Tobu Nikko Station costs approximately 1,200 JPY and takes 5 to 10 minutes depending on traffic. There are also two bus options: the Tobu Bus to Shinkyo Bridge (15 minutes) followed by a 12 minute uphill walk, or the World Heritage Bus to Hotel Seikoen followed by a 4 minute walk. Walking from Tobu Nikko station takes about 30 minutes. During public holidays or high season, travel into the UNESCO area can be slow between 10 am and 3 pm.
Why is the location kept private? Troedsson Villa is an architecturally known building and sits within the UNESCO World Heritage Area. It’s a private home, not a public landmark, and we ask that its location not be shared on social media or with others. The location has attracted unwanted attention from tourists and bloggers. The house’s neighbors are priests and temple institutions, and the area has a quality of enclosure that we ask residents to respect. Discretion is part of what it means to be a resident here.
Is it safe? Nikko is generally a very safe place to live and explore. Common sense should prevail, and it’s good practice to let someone know when heading out for a mountain hike. Bears are a normal presence in the national park and a bear bell is recommended for nature walks. Evening walks around town are perfectly safe, though the streets are very quiet after hours as most tourists are settled into ryokans where dinner is included. The UNESCO precinct is patrolled by security watchmen at night and the house has a security camera at the entrance, so residents can feel at ease at home.