宮 大 工 ・ M I Y A D A I K U
Master the Art of Japanese Woodworking & Joinery
A one-month woodworking apprenticeship at a working miyadaiku (宮大工) school in rural Japan. Four students per cohort. All levels welcome.
A thousand-year tradition of building without nails.
Miyadaiku are the carpenters who, for over a millennium, have built and rebuilt Japan's shrines and temples. Their craft is considered among the most demanding and revered woodworking disciplines in the world — joinery cut so precisely that wood binds to wood without glue, without nails, for centuries.
You don't simply learn to cut wood here. You learn a different way of thinking about materials, patience, and precision. The skills translate to every woodworking discipline you'll ever practice — furniture, timber framing, fine joinery, sculpture — but they begin somewhere quieter, and older.
Suguru Kanata — Head of Miyadaiku Woodworking School.
While active as a professional master carpenter, Suguru Kanata directs the training of next-generation artisans at the Miyadaiku Woodworking School. He has built his career around one idea: that deep craft begins with patient, step-by-step guidance.
He specializes in teaching beginners — translating centuries of temple-carpentry tradition into clear, hands-on instruction that any serious student can follow. Under his direction, you will learn not only how to cut and join wood, but how to read it.
An English translator is present throughout all instruction. No Japanese language knowledge is required.
One month. One craft. One school.
- Duration
- 4 weeks · 20 working days · weekends free
- Cohort size
- 4 students maximum
- Skill level
- All levels — complete beginners welcome
- Tools
- All tools provided — yours to keep after the course
- Language
- English translator present at all times
- Location
- Rural Japan, short train ride from Osaka
時間
Workshop & Hours
80+ hours of guided instruction. Around 50 hours of free studio time to refine your practice in silence.
一日
A Day at the School
- Mon–Fri · 7am–3pm instruction (1hr lunch)
- Free studio · 3pm–8pm weekdays
- Free studio · all day weekends
流れ
The Arc
Tools → sharpening → joinery fundamentals → a final project shaped by your own hand.
Four weeks. From first cut to final project.
Week 1
Day 1: Orientation
- Facility tour, visits to local shrines and temples, preparation of your professional tool set.
- Hands-on experience with sharpening, chiseling, planing, and wood joinery.
- Welcome BBQ.
Days 2–3: Foundation Drills
- Wagiri (Crosscut Sawing) Drill: Master the basics of the Japanese saw.★★★★★
- Aigaki (Half-Lap) Drill: Master the basics of paring with a chisel.★★★★★
- Anahori (Mortising) Drill: Master the basics of striking with a chisel.★★★★★
Days 4–5: Koshikake-ari-tsugi (Dovetail Lap Joint)
- Master the essential joint used for building foundations.★★★★★
Week 2
Days 1–3: Koshikake-kama-tsugi (Gooseneck Lap Joint)
- Master the critical joint used for main beams.★★★★★
Days 4–5: Kanna (Hand Plane) Drills
- Master the setup and foundational techniques of the Japanese hand plane.★★★★★
Week 3
Full Week (5 Days): Kanawa-tsugi
- Master the strongest traditional splicing technique.★★★★★
Week 4
Days 1–4: Elective Study
- Personalized time to focus on your specific interests.
- Advanced: Challenge yourself with complex joints such as Shachi-zao-tsugi (Wedge Splice Joint) or the advanced “Impossible Joint” Shiho-kama-tsugi (Four-Way Gooseneck Joint).
- Maintenance Focus: Deepen your skills in tool care, including advanced sharpening of chisels and planes.
- Beginner Review: Refine basic joints and revisit foundational drills.
Last Day: Graduation Ceremony
- Awarding of the Woodworking Course Certificates.
1 Month cohorts. 4 students each.
April 2025
April 1 – 30
June 2025
June 1 – 30
August 2025
August 1 – 30
October 2025
October 1 – 30
Each cohort runs Monday through Friday. Weekends are yours to explore.
Honest pricing for an honest craft.
Course Tuition
¥800,000
≈ $5,200 USD · €4,800 EUR
Tools, workspace, and all instruction included. Four weeks of master-led teaching and open studio access.
Optional Housing
¥50,000
≈ $325 USD · €300 EUR · per month
A room in a quiet shared house, a short walk from the school. Optional — students may arrange their own accommodation.
Conversion rates approximate (¥154 / USD, ¥167 / EUR) and provided as a guide.
A quiet room, in a quiet house.
For those who want to fully immerse, we offer a room in a shared house a short distance from the school. Simple, comfortable, quiet — a place to rest, reflect, and share an evening meal with your fellow students.
Osaka is a short train ride away, easily reached for day trips on weekends. Kyoto and Nara are within reach too.
Shared house location
Hear from past apprentices.
"Filled with great people, an experience I'll remember for life
"Truly a once in a lifetime experience, I learned so much!
Common questions.
Yes. The Miyadaiku Woodworking School has years of specialized educational experience in teaching traditional skills from scratch, so you can join with confidence.
Yes. A professional Japanese starter tool set is included in your tuition. If you wish to purchase additional tools, they are available at the tool gallery within the school.
Yes. You can stay at our shared housing located near the school.
Yes. The house is available for your use throughout the entire duration of your stay.
Regarding food, you will need to prepare your own meals. The accommodation is located in a remote part of Osaka with limited public transport, so getting around can be a bit tricky. However, we go grocery shopping by car at least once every three days, and you are more than welcome to hitch a ride with us. Alternatively, we can provide a bicycle for your use.
The nearest station is Kintetsu Kaminotaishi Station. Since it is a bit far from the school, we will pick you up by car.
Yes, it is possible. In that case, you can enroll by paying the difference between the 1-month course and the full program fees. Please note that additional procedures, such as obtaining a Cultural Activities Visa, will be required.
Please note that in the event of a cancellation for personal reasons, a non-refundable processing fee of 30,000 JPY will be charged regardless of the timing. The remaining refund eligibility is as follows: – 61+ days before the course starts: Full refund or reschedule the course. – 60 to 41 days before: 20% cancellation fee applies, or you may reschedule. – 40 to 21 days before: No refund available, but you may reschedule. – 20 days or less before: No refund and no rescheduling allowed. Note: Course rescheduling is subject to availability in your desired month.
That's fine, but please be considerate of other residents.
Inside the shop. In the hands of students.
Begin the application.
Tell us a little about yourself and why you'd like to study. We read every application personally and reply within two weeks.