ROBERT TRUSZKOWSKI 2025

For hundreds of years, Kyoto has been the centre of traditional arts and crafts production in Japan. On this Study Tour, we will visit sites of artistic and cultural importance, and meet local artists and educators as a means to better understanding the local and global importance of this dynamic city. The next offering of ART290JP: The Art of Kyoto is planned for May 2027.

WHY TRAVEL?

In the western world, we have a complicated relationship to the concept of other. “Consuming culture” is too easy, particularly in a contemporary society that relies so heavily on the internet, and socal media to define and be defined. We may not even realize that we are reducing a place, person, culture, or way of life, to a cliché. Travel is one of, if not the most important ways in which we can understand others, and in turn, ourselves. It is the point of this course, that all participants really experience the incredible city of Kyoto. A two-week trip is not the same as living there and laying down roots, but it is, hopefully, a good place to start.

ART290JP: The Art of Kyoto is a 3-credit, undergraduate level art course, with a major travel component, at the University of Regina. Students selected for the course will travel to Kyoto, Japan, for 2 weeks, in the month of May. (The next offering is in 2027). There are no pre-requisites, and students do not have to be Visual Arts majors, to participate. There are three assignments; a daily journal, a “Park Presentation”, and a final project, called “The Response to Kyoto”. In 2023 and 2025, I organized exhibitions of the Response projects at the Fifth Parallel Gallery, on campus.

Have a look at the 2025 exhibition, entitled “京都にも行きましょう!! Let’s go to Kyoto, too!!” by clicking HERE. 

The 2023 exhibition “京都に行きましょう!! Let’s go to Kyoto!!” is HERE.

Check out the 2025 course syllabus, HERE.

This has proven to be a very popular course. There is room for 20 undergraduate students, maximum, and as such, there is a guiding principle for selecting participants:

1. Visual Arts Major (BFA or BA), and then organized based on total credits earned by April 30, 2027.
2. Other MAP Major, organized based on total credits earned by April 30, 2027.
3. U of R Undergrad
4. Non-ft students (part-time or casual students, faculty or staff)

The actual process for being chosen to participate involves a few things. Students are asked to fill out a Travel Survey, watch my Youtube video, and sign-up for my Kyoto Info List emails. I consult with UR International, as well as the MAP Student Programme Centre and the office of the MAP Associate Dean Undergraduate, before making any decisions. 

Typically, students who are keen to participate reach out to me, directly, and ask to stop by my studio to chat. Sometimes parents want to get in touch as well, which is ok, but ultimately, any/all formal communication is with the students themselves. There will be a date where I will require a FIRM YES from any prospective participant, so that I can finalize the class list and send out this information. There is more info about this, below.

FIRM YES and REGISTRATION DATES

The course will become viewable in Self Service in the first week of February. Potential participants will need to provide me with a FIRM YES, on or before February 1, 2027. Students will know a very close approximation of the final cost, as well as the travel dates by this time. (Please don't worry, I will be in contact — probably a lot ! — prior to February 1). 

I ensure that any student who provides a FIRM YES, and is chosen for the trip, understands that they are agreeing to the $400 non-refundable deposit, which holds their spot. At that point, I will finalize the list. University registration takes place the first couple of weeks in March, BUT this course requires permission of the Instructor/Department Head (both me!). I will have the MAP Office register all participants directly. So, the bottom line is, if you are a FIRM yes, let me know early!

Note: If a student provides a FIRM YES, but is not chosen for the trip, they will not be charged the deposit.

TRAVEL DATES

Exact departure dates are not available right now, because we are still very early. I will want to have this finalized by mid/late January 2027. It is likely that we will depart sometime between May 1-15, for 2 weeks in Kyoto. In 2025, we travelled from May 1 - 18, in 2023, it was later in the month. Flight availability and total cost determines the final choice. However it works out, May is an excellent time to travel to Japan, as it is low(er) tourist season, but the weather is terrific.

There is a $4000 (four thousand dollar) Special Course Fee for this trip, which will be charged to your account. THIS COVER FLIGHTS AND HOTELS and possibly some other things. You will get a refund if the cost is less. Refunds are issued after we return from the trip. For example, in 2025 the $4000 fee was charged, but the total cost for (almost) all travellers was $3750, so everyone got $250 back. Please keep in mind that prices always go up, and our trip will be in 2027. Also, the choice of room/sleeping arrangement you choose will affect your total.

Why do it this way? (The fee and refund system)

I am the travel agent! (not really, but I do all the booking of everything, and it is way, way cheaper) Having the fees available to me, in a U of R account ensures I can book what we need, and when, and as a group. This also keeps prices down. If we went through a traditional tour operator, this trip would be $7000+

There is a $400 non-refundable deposit charged, when you are registered. (This will be put towards the cost of the trip) It is not a separate charge; it is just retained from the Special Course Fee, if you drop the course before travel. IF you need to drop, you *might* get your deposit back, if I can fill your spot.

OTHER MONEY STUFF

At the time of writing this (October 2025), the Japanese ¥ Yen is still pretty weak, compared to the Canadian Dollar $. For the 2025 trip, this meant the hotels were very affordable, and the day-to-day expenses, including meals, public transit, and shopping, in general, allowed travellers' money to go quite far. A question that often comes up, is "how much should I bring overall?" or "how much will I need for meals?"

The answer to the first question is really subjective, but for food/meals, here are some examples to help you get an idea. Keep in mind that all travellers manage their own meals so it's possible to spend very little, or quite a lot.

Breakfast

Latté from a konbini (convenience store) ¥200

Pastry from local bakery ¥250-400

Traditional Japanese breakfast set from Yanigoya (chain restaurant) ¥700

Western and Japanese style breakfast at hotel ¥2500

Lunch

Rice onigiri from a konbini ¥150

Sushi from a konbini ¥250

Egg sando from a konbini ¥280

Karaage (fried chicken) with rice set from grocery store ¥400

Ramen from the best ramen place you've ever been to (literally everywhere) ¥750-1100

Burger and fries set from Mos Burger (Japanese chain) ¥900

Burger combo from McDonald's ¥600-1100

Dinner

Sushi from conveyor belt sushi restaurant ~ ¥1000-2000 (à la carte, so it could be less or way more!)

Sushi from mid-range but incredible sushi restaurant ¥4000+

Yakiniku bbq meat restaurant ¥1500-4000+

Okonomiyaki restaurant ¥800-2000

Soba noodle and tempura set ¥900-1500

Indian dinner set (Indian food in Japan is incredible!) ¥1400-2000

What kind money should you actually bring? How do you pay for things?

I recommend that all travellers bring at least $100 CDN in Japanese ¥. You can order ¥ from your bank a month or so before the trip. There are many options for credit card use (including tap and Apple Pay), but cash is still used widely, particularly in small restaurants, food stalls, and shops.

Here are the student comments from the 2025 course evaluation >>

• This course was actually life changing in far more ways than I could ever fit into this box. Rob did an excellent job and he was out there moving mountains for students every single day.

• To say this course is simply a highlight in my life and educational journey is an understatement, as it has quite literally altered the ways in which I hope to approach art in the future. Additionally, as an art student you gain a lot of value from a study tour/ trip like this, and even if one isn't an art student or artist themselves, there is still so much to gain from this experience. If I could apply for this trip again I'd do it in a heartbeat.

• This course changed my life for the better. The exposure to Kyoto's culture, art, food and so much more is something I could never experienced if not for Rob and this class. I will be forever grateful to Rob and the funding from the UofR International for making this trip/course happen. Everyone should be able to go spend two weeks in Kyoto!

• This study abroad course was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I loved it. I’d take this course again if I could. Rob gave us an unforgettable experience with this course!

• This course was absolutely incredible!! There's a reason literally everyone loves Prof. Truszkowski, and it's not just because of amazing opportunities like this, it's because of his insane enthusiasm, vast knowledge (about everything—but especially Printmaking, Japan, and bikes), humour, excitability, and the fact that he evidently cares about all of his students. He was the best Dear Leader one could hope for in a foreign country, and I am already jealous of the group that will get to go to Japan with Rob in 2027 because I would take this course again in a heartbeat!

• Prof Rob is an amazing professor, very easy to communicate with. This course has been life-changing, and I'm so glad the U of R has allowed this class. I've met (hopefully) lifelong friends while in Japan. Thank you, Rob and the UofR, for this amazing trip and opportunity.

• Overall, this course and trip was a really special time. Rob as a professor was great but he was also amazing as a tour guide and was always punctual and always knew the best spots for presentations (and food!!). This is really something that I think everyone should experience, not just for fun, but academically as well. I will always look back on this trip fondly and I am positive the friendships and connections made on this trip will last for a long time. Thanks ROB and thanks MAP!!

NOTE: THIS IS THE VIDEO FOR THE 2025 TRIP. A NEW VIDEO FOR THE 2027 TRIP WILL BE UPLOADED EARLY IN 2026.

Here's a relatively short video about the course and trip. I ask that any hopeful traveller watch this video as well as read the info on this page, and complete the Travel Survey, prior to making any decisions, or reaching out for an individual meeting. 

The Art of Kyoto is a study tour course, to Kyoto, Japan. Japan is amazing, it is very far from Regina, and it is very different! I strongly recommend you watch my Youtube video about the course, and the trip, so you get a sense of what is involved. Please know that there are no wrong answers to this survey. Whether you have never travelled before, or you're a seasoned pro; a fluent Japanese speaker, or simply a fan of Japanese culture; the point of the survey is not to exclude anyone, but instead, to help me get to know more about you (a potential participant!).

頑張ってみましょう！

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY.