What
This website introduces new travel programs that I design and lead, in collaboration with a trusted travel agent I’ve worked with for years. I first developed and ran design-focused travel courses through RISD’s architecture program, and I’m now excited to offer similar immersive experiences to a broader community of artists, architects, and designers.
These programs have always been a shared effort. I’m grateful to RISD for the opportunity to create and lead academic travel courses, to our many partners in Japan who welcomed us so generously, and to the students whose curiosity and energy made each trip memorable. Encouragement from colleagues and friends has inspired me to expand this work independently.
I am a curious individual like you—traveling to discover new inspirations and to learn from the local with the eyes of an architect and artist, and the heart of an educator. Each journey is a shared exploration, where observation, dialogue, and creative exchange become the essence of travel itself.
Who
I’m Junko Yamamoto—an architect, artist, and educator from Gunma, Japan. Licensed in both Japan and the U.S., I’ve practiced in the two countries since 2005, with projects ranging from campus renovations at Harvard and MIT to custom homes, exhibitions, and furniture. In 2020, my firm iVY was honored to present work at the Venice Architecture Biennale’s Time Space Existence exhibition.
Art has always accompanied my architectural practice, with work shown in exhibitions in Japan and abroad, and featured in ArchDaily, Harvard Magazine, and the CICA Museum Yellow Book.
I studied architecture at Kyoto Architectural College, Boston Architectural College, and Harvard Graduate School of Design—an 11-year journey that included studying at night while working full-time. Learning through both practice and academia has been indispensable to my growth, and I feel deeply fortunate for such experiences. Teaching has also shaped me profoundly; since 2012 I’ve taught at BAC, Roger Williams, Harvard GSD, and RISD, where I also led travel programs.
Although I feel most grounded in Japan, my years in the U.S. gave me a lasting appreciation for both cultures. I return to Japan every year to see family and friends and to reconnect with a community of architects and artists who continually inspire me.
Why
Travel has always been a source of inspiration for how I learn and create. At first, I planned “solo travel programs”—visiting buildings, exploring art and design, and seeking inspiration everywhere. Later, teaching at RISD gave me the opportunity to share these experiences with groups of students.
For me, exposure is everything. It’s hard to imagine what you’ve never seen. Growing up in rural Japan, I never imagined studying abroad—until, at twelve, I was selected to perform abacus calculations in the U.S. That brief trip opened my eyes to a wider world and changed the course of my life.
This personal experience drives me to create meaningful, inspiring travel programs—hoping they can spark new perspectives for others too. I’m grateful to RISD for supporting the courses I led, which laid the foundation for this next chapter. Now, I offer programs independently, making them accessible to a broader community of artists, designers, and lifelong learners.