GENERAL

• Can I visit to work as a volunteer, apprentice, intern, or come to just take a look? 

• Unfortunately, we cannot offer apprenticeship, internships or visits at this time. Because we are running a professional shop along with the school, for safety reasons we need to restrict our shop to staff and students. 

• Do we offer work-trade arrangements?

• Unfortunately, not at this time.

• Who are the students that we generally teach? Are they hobbyists? Professionals?

• Both. Students with zero experience, and professional carpenters, cabinetmakers, architects, designers and furniture makers have come to study with us. 

• What knowledge can I walk away from the course with?

• The classes distills decades of professional Japanese carpentry experience into a few short weeks. Students will learn how to sharpen, set up and use Japanese hand tools, and cut joinery.

• Do you offer a certificate program?

• Not yet

• Is there an age limit/minimum age to the course?

• In general, over 18. But younger is possible as long as there is a guardian to be with him on the first day for pick-up and on the rest days when students are free to go to the city.

REGISTRATION

• What is the process to secure a place in the school?

• Full payment is required to a secure a place in the school

• How long can we hold a spot for?

• You can also choose to be on the waitlist until the course starts to fill up. Once it fills up we will require the full payment to confirm your spot.

• What is the general schedule for classes?

• Foundation: 11 school days. 2 excursion days. 1 day rest.

• Intermediate: 10 - 11 school days. 1 excursion day. 2 days rest.

• Advanced: 11 school days. 1 excursion day. 2 days rest.

• The final number of school days, excursion days and rest days will vary depending on the speed of the class.

• Do I need a visa and can you help us with the application?

• The first step is to check with your embassy on the length of stay permitted for a tourist visa to Japan and whether you need to apply for a visa. The rules vary from country to country. If you’re coming from a country that requires you to apply for a visa, they will most likely require a letter of invitation which we can help draft for you. We do not offer visa application services.

• What happens next after payment?

• Once payment is received, we will send you an email with details to help you plan your trip. Please wait for this email before planning or booking any hotels. Closer to the start of the course, we will send you another email reminder.

LOGISTICS/ACCOMMODATION 

• How do I get my tools back home after class?

• We recommend bringing or buying an empty mid sized or large suitcase with you to check in when you fly. Muji or any semi hard case is good. Saws will need to be wrapped and protected from damage, and stones will need to be packed separately as to avoid any rust from residual moisture inside of the stones. It is possible to pack your tools inside of a case with other things, but the weight of tools and stones becomes significant quickly. We do not recommend packing chisels in a soft case, for safety reasons.

• Can I mail my tools back?

• We do not recommend this because Japan post requires detailed weight and pricing of each item in the box. If this is the only method you can use to bring your tools and joinery home, then we can assist for a fee.

• Which is the best international airport to arrive into that is the closest to where we are?

• Narita and Haneda airports in Tokyo connect to domestic flights to OKJ airport. The school is 15 minutes away from a domestic airport with the code OKJ. It is about 30 minutes from the hotels near Okayama station, too. 

• How about coming from Kyoto or Osaka or Tokyo by Train?

• You can take the Shinkansen to Okayama station in about 60-90 minutes. Getting to the shinkansen from Kansai airport requires transport to another train beforehand. Be mindful of luggage size and weight restrictions. 

• Where is Somakosha located?

• In 2026, students will stay at student housing adjacent to the school, which is about 40 minutes north of the city.

• How are meals handled?

• We are working on these plans, and will make sure students can access food the duration of the class. 

• Can I stay in the city and commute to the school?

• We do not recommend this as the commute is about 40 minutes by car, and there is value to working late after class to gain the most from your experience. Students who wish to do this will have to arrange their own transportation.

• Do you have recommended hotels for visiting Okayama city after or before my class?

• In brief, from order of highest quality and convenience to lowest cost that we have experienced first hand:

1. Granvia (Higher end, 1 minute from station)

2. ANA Crown (business hotel, extremely close)

3. ABest Grand (5 minute walk, solid, with gym and onsen)

4. Via inn (the closest in the station, business hotel)

5. Smile (12 minute walk, standard)

6. Dormy Inn (business hotel with onsen, mid quality and high value, 10 minute walk)

7. OneFive (18 min walk, cheap, simple)

• Will I need travel insurance?

• Yes. Please purchase insurance that gets you covered for medical emergencies while in Japan. Closer to the start of the course, we will need proof of the insurance you have purchased, as you will be handling sharp tools.

ATTENDING

• The course is conducted in which language?

• Classes are conducted in English/Japanese.

• Scholarship/Fellowship Process

• If you are being sponsored by a scholarship or a travel fellowship, we understand that funding can sometimes come in at a later date. We can hold your spot until the class begins to fill up. In such cases, the best way would be to place a deposit to confirm your spot!

• Which course is suitable for me? 

• We have found even students and professionals who have studied Japanese carpentry for several years in other countries wish they had started with the foundation class. So, we believe that most people should start with foundation class, regardless of experience in woodworking or carpentry. We have found students with experience in western woodworking or even Japanese woodworking from other institutions to have benefited from reviewing fundamental work. If you believe you are qualified to start with intermediate or advanced courses, please email us with details of your experience in Japanese woodworking, including tools and joinery. 

• Do I need any prior experience?

• Foundation: for all levels and abilities

• All other classes: Completion of the foundation course is highly recommended - considerable experience with sharpening and tool set-up is important, with working tools in order.

• Plastering: for all levels and abilities

• Who will be teaching each of the courses?

• Jon Stollenmeyer, Yamamoto Kohei as well as other professional carpenters on staff.

• Can I customize a course? Does the school offer shorter or longer programmes?

• Yes. Please enquire at Somakosha@gmail.com

• What are the hours like for the course?

• Class starts at 8am and officially ends at 5pm. Lunch is at noon for one hour. There will be two 30 minute tea breaks, one at 10am and the other at 3pm. Students are free to practice on their own in the workshop after 5pm. Just be safe and remember to sleep!

• Is it possible to take the 3 courses consecutively?

• Yes. Our summer courses are scheduled to be taken consecutively.

• Are there any discounts or packaged deals if i take 1 or more courses?

• Sorry, we cannot offer a discount for multiple classes at this time.