What this is
Origins—Young Photographers Capturing Chikuho is a photography exhibition featuring works by Sheiichi Motohashi and Taishi Hirokawa, two young documentary photographers who have turned their lenses on the Chikuho region of Fukuoka Prefecture. Chikuho was once one of Japan's most productive coal mining areas, but the closure of the mines in the post-war decades left the region facing economic decline, industrial decay, and severe depopulation. The exhibition presents landscapes, community portraits, and remnants of industrial heritage from this largely overlooked corner of Japan. It offers a thoughtful, contemporary visual meditation on regional transformation and the resilience — or quiet fading — of those who remain. As a two-photographer show, it invites comparison between two distinct personal visions of the same subject matter.
Who should go
This exhibition is ideal for photography enthusiasts, documentary art fans, and anyone with an interest in Japan's industrial history, rural depopulation, or social documentary work. The atmosphere is contemplative and intimate — the kind of show where you linger over individual prints rather than move quickly through a crowd. Visitors seeking a window into contemporary Japan beyond Tokyo's urban narratives will find the work particularly resonant and thought-provoking. Check the JCII Photo Salon website before visiting, as smaller Tokyo galleries sometimes require advance reservations or operate on restricted hours.
Good to know
JCII Photo Salon is a small, respected photography gallery operated by the Japan Camera Industry Institute in the Hanzomon area of Tokyo, and admission is typically free. The gallery is compact and intimate, making it best suited to unhurried solo visits or visits in small groups — it can feel crowded with more than a handful of visitors at once. Confirm opening hours and any reservation requirements on the official JCII website before visiting, as hours can vary and the gallery observes Japanese public holidays. Photography of the exhibited works is generally not permitted inside the gallery. The surrounding Hanzomon neighbourhood is quiet and easy to navigate, with the gallery a short walk from Hanzomon Station on the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.