The summer of 2024 marked a decade since the eruption of Mount Ontake, Japan’s deadliest volcanic event since the conclusion of World War II. This year, we observe grieving family members who participated in the memorial climb.

Fuga crafts bespoke frames, offering clients the opportunity to showcase cherished possessions. Here are glimpses into the lives of families who are carefully preserving their most treasured memories.

Deep in a secluded Japanese village, bulls have been integral to both agriculture and a distinctive local custom for generations. However, with the community’s population dwindling, the fate of this cherished tradition hangs precariously in…

At seventy-eight years old, Mito Kosei carries the mark of Hiroshima. He was present in the womb when the atomic bomb detonated over the city, and for nearly two decades, he has volunteered as a guide, sharing the reality of that devastatin…

For over two centuries, the traditions of Oki Traditional Sumo have been upheld on an island in the Sea of Japan. In 2024, a competition lasting the entire night took place, marking a return after a twelve-year break. We now follow a season…

In the countryside north of Tokyo, aspiring jockeys dedicate themselves to rigorous training. For two years, these young hopefuls will live apart from their families, disconnected from the modern world by the absence of mobile phones. We ob…

Fuse Tomoko encountered origami in childhood, and for more than six decades, she has crafted expansive geometric pieces that have garnered international recognition. This is an exploration of her art—a journey into the creation of entire wo…

At the close of a life dedicated to the land, dairy farmer Yoshikawa Yuji received a diagnosis of cancer, forcing his retirement. With his son now at the helm of the farm, what triumphs and hardships will he face?

A calligraphy team from a high school in a city just beyond Tokyo competed in a national championship. Their aim was to offer encouragement and hope to those impacted by the devastating earthquake.

The celebrated tale of Princess Yaegaki, a cornerstone of bunraku puppetry, unfolds in a community deeply connected to the waterside. Observe how the inhabitants of this lakeside village collaborate to keep the story vibrant, honoring its e…

As the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve, families throughout northeast Japan are visited by the formidable namahage – figures resembling monstrous beings. This story follows a band of men striving to uphold this enduring custom as t…

The formation of a women's soccer team aimed to breathe new life into a community facing the gradual decline of its residents. The team’s leading forward has fostered genuine connections with the area's older inhabitants. Yet, it now seems …

Over a decade following the devastating Great East Japan Earthquake, two women, each grappling with the loss of a daughter, commission a painter to depict them as they might have been as adults. Will these portraits offer a measure of comfo…

Wakayama Prefecture has garnered international attention as a thriving center for textiles, fueled by vibrant piles of fabric and comfortable knitwear. Here, we present a collection of compelling images capturing the essence of its industry…

The neighborhood's beloved seafood market, a fixture for nearly half a century, is ceasing operations. Determined to preserve its history, the founder has entered into an agreement with a larger supermarket chain. The question now is whethe…

The quiet farming village, nestled east of Tokyo, faces imminent erasure. Expansion plans for Narita International Airport threaten to displace its inhabitants and dismantle its way of life. Photographer Saito Koyata has been documenting th…

The onset of an unrelenting illness stripped orthopedic surgeon Nakamura Kaoru of his purpose. Yet, a turning point arrived with the introduction of Juliette, a service dog whose presence rekindled his resolve and infused his days with a re…

Kiriake Chieko assisted with the cremation of her classmates following the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Now ninety-five years old, and the oldest living witness to the devastation, she persists in sharing her story, imploring others to cher…

In Nagasaki, a shrine and the ancient camphor tree that stands beside it endured the devastation of the atomic bomb. Yet, the cherished annual festival associated with them faces the threat of disappearing. The question now is: how can the …

In Fukushima prefecture, tree surgeon Kobayashi Masaru dedicates himself to restoring cherry trees left to languish after the devastation of the 2011 earthquake and nuclear disaster. Over the course of a year, we observe him and the local v…

The boy, barely a man, was learning the ancient craft of fish farming from his grandfather. Yet, the warming waters and dwindling workforce presented formidable obstacles. He strived to rekindle old ways, a hopeful effort against an uncerta…

Once, the grandson of a celebrated ceramicist harbored a quiet resentment toward the notion of following in his grandfather’s footsteps. Now, a craftsman himself, he finds himself drawn to the elder’s wisdom, seeking guidance as he experim…

In the aftermath of the devastating rains that struck Kuma Village in western Japan during 2020, Miyahara Osamu began publishing a small newspaper. We observe him as he offers encouragement to the villagers struggling to rebuild their lives…

Hirokazu Shiomi belongs to a select few in Japan granted the privilege of tuning concert pianos. For him, whether preparing an instrument for a renowned pianist or a budding young musician, the goal is always to resonate with the very essen…

Rie Koyama received a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease some years ago. A passionate table tennis enthusiast, she now dedicates herself to teaching the game to others living with the condition, fostering both physical well-being and a more h…

It wasn't until he discovered the practice of horse logging that Nishino Masatoshi found a sense of purpose. Now, he pursues his passion in the forests of Hokkaido, accompanied by his steadfast companion, Kap.

Hiromi Tsuchida has documented the lives of those who endured the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, revisiting them across the span of decades. Now, eighty years after the devastation, what new facets of their existence will he reveal?

The year was 1985, and a passenger plane plummeted into Osutaka Ridge, a tragedy that claimed the lives of five hundred and twenty people. Now, Kurosawa Kanichi tends to the site, carefully maintaining the memorials and offering solace to t…

Paralyzed from the waist down by a stroke, the former reporter's body offered no movement save for his eyes. His wife serves as his interpreter, deciphering his thoughts through subtle blinks and gazes. From this unique connection, they ha…

The farm serves as a gathering place for individuals united by a shared apprehension: the prospect of dementia. Through the rhythms of planting and harvest, caregivers observe and gently guide, assisting them in navigating each day.