I am lucky enough to have monthly assignments with a Tokyo based client that works closely with some of Japan’s biggest inbound tourism and travel companies. This means I often get the opportunity to travel the length and breadth of the country photographing a variety of things including local cuisines, local industries, historic sites and of course popular tourist destinations. In many ways this has been my dream job for a long, long time.
I am extremely grateful to have such interesting, fun and inspiring work assignments on a regular basis. On each and every trip I learn something new about the rich culture of my adopted home, the language and the deep history of the various areas that make up Japan. I also get to see some amazing places that I wouldn’t have the faintest idea about otherwise.
I have decided to start posting my top five favourite images from each of these assignments here on my website to show you what kind of work I am doing and also to hopefully inspire others to get out and explore this wonderful country.
This time my trip was to one of my favourite parts of Japan, the Kii Peninsula, starting in Nara and working my way slowly south to Wakayama. I covered all of the usual spots in Nara, this meant an abundant of temples, shrines and of course deer freely roaming the streets. Then I explored various parts of the Kumano Kodo – the sacred Buddhist pilgrimage route that winds its way down the peninsula. I ended my assignment in the southern part of Wakayama, near the town of Nachikatsura. This assignment was one of my highlights of the year thus far, if you’d like to see more images from it be sure to check out my Instagram account! Thanks!
- A curious deer pops its head out of a bush in Nara Park
- More deer in Nara, this time guarding the entrance to Kasuga Taisha
- The terraced ricefields of southern Wakayama
- A shodo lesson with two Buddhist Monks in Nachikatsura
- Rice farming with the locals in Wakayama