My initial plan with this project was to highlight the abandoned and decrepit areas of Japan, with a particular focus on rural areas. However, after traveling around Gunma, Kanagawa, and the more rural parts of the Tokyo prefecture, I felt this wasn't representative of the country.
While there were many places in questionable states (both in the rural areas and even in certain wards of Tokyo), the overall atmosphere of these areas did not match the visual aesthetic. Even in the small villages up on the hills, there was a certain liveliness within them that felt completely different to the visual aesthetic of the towns.
With this in mind, I shifted my focus to capturing the wide range of Japan. From gritty city life, to a shrine on top of a mountain, to little villages that are sorting through their next steps with optimistic energy as the population declines. Natural parks to wild flowers in the city, there is a little bit of everything. As I explored these sections of Japan, the goal of this project shifted to showcase this variety.
Familiarity
From Below
Oze
Bark
Salamander
CJ
Coming Storm
Nihonshu
By the River
Split
Nakanojo
Ryo 2
In the Clouds
Melody
Shinjuku Underpass
Business Time
Next gallery
imagined album covers