Myoju 明珠 — meaning “shining pearl” — is an artist residency rooted in the quiet richness of Shiga, shaped by the nature and deep history of Lake Biwa and the belief that each person carries a unique inner radiance.

Based in Shiga, we run a jewellery brand using freshwater pearls from Lake Biwa while creating a space where art and people connect through experiences.

Located in Omihachiman, a historic merchant town and home of the Biwako Biennale, about 35 minutes from Kyoto, the residency offers a setting where Western contemporary perspectives meet an Eastern historic landscape.

Alongside the residency, we operate a small gallery café that serves as a gentle meeting point between artists and the local community.

Here, artists live, research, create, and engage with their surroundings in an ongoing exchange shaped by intention and meaningful relationships, forming a creative ecosystem where international and local perspectives naturally meet and grow.

We welcome artists working in:

• Visual arts
• Literary arts
• Media/Digital arts
• Curatorial practice

Above all, we believe every artist is a Myoju — unique, beautiful, and worthy of being seen.

Residency Duration

Upcoming cohort: Sept 1 – Sept 28, 2026 (fully sponsored by the host)

Artists are responsible for:

• travel
• meals
• insurance
• personal expenses

Residents receive access to:

• Private bedroom
• Private studio
• Shared communal area
• Shared kitchen, bath & toilet

Optional opportunities:

• End‑of‑term exhibition at the gallery café
• Consignment sales at the café after residency

We evaluate based on:

• Resonance — why Myoju / Omihachiman is meaningful for your project
• Clarity of intention — what you hope to explore or develop during the residency
• Collaborative ability — ability to work both independently and in a group setting

Due to our small team, only selected applicants will be contacted.