Hayama Woodworks Studio (Hayama woodworks studio)
A Hayama Moment Called “Mokko Juku” — Learning with a Veteran Furniture Craftsman
In Hayama, there are places where you can do more than just gaze at the sea or mountains — places where you can quietly move your hands and reconnect with yourself.
Today, I’m introducing “Mokko Juku,” a woodworking class held at Hayama Woodworks Studio.
Touching solid wood, carving it, thinking, and building. It’s a slightly special Hayama experience where the process itself becomes the joy.
Along with the voices of students who actually attend, I’ll share what makes this place so special.
Highlight 1｜You Don’t Have to Give Up on “The Perfect Fit for My Home”
One of student, who attends Mokko Juku, is a woodworks beginner.
Most days, she works at her computer, designing within a digital space.
What she is currently making at Mokko Juku is a kitchen counter for her new home.
“I couldn’t find furniture that truly fit my home.
So I thought, if that’s the case, I’d rather make it myself.”
Because her usual work involves thinking in flat, two-dimensional space,
she says it feels fresh and exciting to touch wood and think in three dimensions.
Adjusting measurements as you go,
designing while imagining how it will actually be used.
For people who spend much of their time at a desk,
this kind of time — using both mind and hands —
becomes a valuable reset, gently separating you from everyday routines.
Designing on a screen and designing while touching wood — both matter, but the latter brings a different kind of discovery.
Highlight 2｜Wood Is Like a Living Thing — Every Movement Becomes a Lesson
There was one phrase she repeated several times.
“Wood feels like a living thing.”
When you tap it into a narrow gap,
or slightly adjust its shape,
the wood responds differently each time.
Because it doesn’t always behave as expected,
you naturally begin to think about what to do next.
Those repeated experiences gradually become intuition.
At Mokko Juku,
instead of rushing to fix mistakes,
you take time to look at why things happened.
It’s time that can’t be completed inside a screen —
time spent in quiet dialogue with the material itself,
reminding you of the joy of making things.
There isn’t just one correct answer in woodworking. That’s what makes the thinking itself enjoyable.
Highlight 3｜It Doesn’t End When It’s Finished — You Can Repair and Keep Using It
She shared another moment that left a strong impression.
“If I get tired of this shape someday,
I’d love to take it apart and reuse it in a different form.”
The furniture made at Mokko Juku is designed with the idea that
it can be repaired and reassembled over time.
It’s not something that’s finished once and forgotten.
As life changes, the furniture can change too.
That flexibility naturally builds attachment over time.
“It feels good knowing nothing goes to waste.”
That mindset quietly becomes part of you here.
“Using something for a long time” doesn’t mean enduring it — it means having room to care for it.
Highlight 4｜A Moment to Clear Your Mind and Face Yourself
As your hands keep moving, your thoughts naturally grow quiet.
A moment where you focus only on the wood and the tools in front of you.
That feeling of “nothing being wasted”
is something unique to this place.
Mokko Juku is also a place that gently returns you to yourself, away from busy everyday life.
Highlight 5｜Master Furniture Craftsman Yasumasa Obara
Supporting Mokko Juku is its instructor, Yasumasa Obara.
He is a veteran furniture craftsman with over 40 years of experience working with wood.
From custom-made furniture and repairs to instrument maintenance, his skills span a remarkable range.
Yet his teaching style is calm and gentle.
Students often say:
“Even though he’s a professional, he teaches with such kindness and care. What I love most is how seriously he listens to what I want to make.”
You don’t need a perfectly clear image of the final piece.
You talk, think, and shape it together.
That comfortable distance is what makes Mokko Juku so welcoming.
Highlight 6｜From Complete Beginners to Those Who Want to Go Deeper
Many beginners attend Mokko Juku, especially women.
Some students start without even knowing the names of the tools, gradually shaping their own furniture.
At the same time, the environment also supports those who want to learn more seriously or aim for professional-level skills.
All tools are available to borrow for free, so you can come empty-handed.
Highlight 7｜More Than a Workshop — A Shop Full of Small Wooden Pieces
At Hayama Woodworks, you’ll also find small wooden items on display and for sale.
Pieces that quietly fit into daily life, or make thoughtful gifts.
It’s a space where you can casually feel the warmth of wood.
Even if you’re not thinking about joining the class, you’re welcome to stop by.
Please take a look during your Hayama walk.
Another Appeal｜Enjoying Hayama Time Through Hayama Navi
Some students are living outside of Hayama.
One of student travels about 30 minutes each way to attend Mokko Juku.
Using Hayama Navi as a guide,
she discovers local restaurants and spots around Hayama,
enjoying lunch or walks before and after class.
The satoyama area of Hayama,
with its quiet mountain atmosphere,
feels especially calming, she says.
Working with wood,
breathing in Hayama’s air,
and stopping by favorite places.
That kind of day is what draws people here, even from afar.
It’s not just about learning something new — it’s about savoring the place itself. That’s what makes Hayama special.
Hayama Woodworks｜Shop Information
Hayama Woodworks
2974-3 Kamiyamaguchi, Hayama-machi, Miura-gun, Kanagawa 240-0111
(Across from FamilyMart Hayama-machi)
Phone: 090-3533-0772
Open: Thu, Fri, Sat
Hours: 12:00–18:00
Website: https://wood.hayama-studio.com
For Mokko Juku inquiries, please contact via Instagram DM, the website contact form, or phone.
The Hayama Woodworks blog also shares detailed information and daily scenes from Mokko Juku.
Summary
Time spent with wood, hands moving, mind quiet.
Mokko Juku at Hayama Woodworks is not just a place to make furniture, but a place to reflect on how you live.
That kind of Hayama time feels truly special.
If this resonates with you, please visit Hayama Woodworks.
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