visual notes from Japan

Ever since I first travelled to Japan eight years ago, I’ve been dreaming of returning. Back then, my violin was my travel companion. Organised by my former teacher Yuzuko Horigome, we toured across the country, performing chamber music programs, and those weeks remain some of the most special travel memories I carry with me, and shaped much of the way I experienced Japan for the first time.

Because of the nature of that trip, we experienced a side of Japan that most visitors never get to see; private onsens, unforgettable food (of course), quiet temples, and nature spots far removed from the usual tourist routes. It left me wondering what Japan would feel like if I were to return on my own.

Fast forward to last November, when I boarded a plane once again, this time with my camera as my travel companion. I’ve long been fascinated by street-style photography, but had never fully immersed myself in it. Japan felt like the perfect place to explore this way of seeing. I didn’t want to put any pressure on the process; it was, officially, my time off. The only rule I set for myself was to always carry my camera.

For my work, I usually shoot with the Fujifilm medium format G series. For this trip, I brought its tiny sibling, the Fujifilm X100V. I created a custom recipe for the journey, enhancing certain colours and leaning into a more vintage, analog-inspired look.

These images are fragments of that experience: quiet observations and visual notes from the road. I already know I’ll be back someday.