Hidden between Japan’s shimmering skyscrapers and bustling modern city life lies a world of tradition, overlooked neighborhoods, and fading remnants of the Shōwa Era. As a foreigner, I’ve been captivated by the layers of Japanese cities that often go unnoticed—washed-out, rusted buildings, aging shotengai, and the quiet nostalgia of a bygone era. Since my first trip in 2010, Japan has become a place of deep inspiration, shaped by its cultural complexity and constant evolution. I strive to document and preserve the soul of these neighborhoods, immortalizing their past and glory before they disappear in the face of rapid change.

Despite not being from Japan, I feel a strong nostalgic connection to the Shōwa Era (1926–1989). Japan has become my second home—a place where I continue to find inspiration through its layered history and subtle contrasts. With each photograph, I aim to capture the spaces beyond Tokyo’s modern façade, revealing a more nostalgic Japan that exists between memory, transition, and everyday life.