Footprints of Memory: A Record of the Final Commemorative Photos
Scenery that will no longer be seen, the turning points in someone's life—
I have been there to witness such days and take photographs.
I am documenting the warmth and voices I felt at those times just as they were.
From here on, I will share those records with you.
About the final commemorative photos
▶ Ordinary photos addressed to the future
This is a journey with the purpose of visiting people on significant turning points in their lives to take and deliver photographs.
Places and people visited
*This will be updated periodically as the journey continues. This record officially began in 2024 with Kuwanoyu.
Deep red indicates places I have visited multiple times to deliver letters.
Light colors indicate places currently being delivered to.
And white indicates places I have not yet visited—places where I will write letters in the future.
The map below is a complete record of the places where I have delivered letters so far.
Tap a pin to read the "letter" left behind in that land along with the photograph.
Map last updated: 2025.12.14
The 70-year-old regular market "Shiohama Market" (Mie Prefecture) ▶ [Read Article]
"Hyakuchokan," which conveyed the townhouse culture of Otsu (Shiga Prefecture)
"Asahi Community Center," which had been there since the Meiji era (Okayama Prefecture)
The 55-year-old local udon shop "Kikuya Branch" (Aichi Prefecture)
"Ainokaze Toyama Railway Ikuji Station," which was part of the community (Toyama Prefecture)
Another hometown: Nagano Prefectural Dormitory 'Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Chikuma Dormitory' (Tokyo)
Local newspaper 'Yanai Nichinichi Shimbun' that lasted 65 years (Yamaguchi Prefecture)
Yubari's last snack bar 'Miyasaka' (Hokkaido)
Gifu Takashimaya 'A-Tell-Me Beauty Salon' (Gifu Prefecture)
Indoor fishing pond 'Ryozan-en that lasted 50 years' (Gifu Prefecture)▶ [Read Article] *
Shiojiri's only public bath 'Kuwanoyu' (Nagano Prefecture)▶ [Read Article] *
Shizuoka City Nakawarashina Elementary School Obusugi Branch (Shizuoka Prefecture)
The only wooden school building in the prefecture 'Shitara Town Mine Elementary School' (Aichi Prefecture)
The only dormitory in the prefecture 'Okazaki City Nukata Junior High School Keishin Dormitory' (Aichi Prefecture)
Children's Kabuki at Mine Kannon (Aichi Prefecture)
Coffee shop 'Cafe Boulogne' that lasted 50 years (Gifu Prefecture)
Corner greengrocer 'Yamamaru Shoten' that lasted over 100 years (Gifu Prefecture)
The last remaining poultry shop in the market, 'Hassho Center'(Aichi Prefecture) ▶ [Read Article] *
Fishing port in Nagoya City, 'Shimo-no-isshiki Fish Market' (Aichi Prefecture)
The last branch school in the prefecture, 'Nakatsugawa City Minami Elementary School Kawaue Branch' (Gifu Prefecture)
* Selected article for the Creative Awards 2025 All Categories Division
Last updated: 2026.5.30
Beyond the Record
Shiojiri 'Kuwano-yu' Photo Exhibition 'Tsunagu' (Connecting) ▶ [Read Article]
Major Media Coverage and Broadcasts
NBS Nagano Broadcasting News (2024/8/24)
Chunichi Shimbun / Shinano Mainichi Shimbun (2024/8/24)
Shimin Times (2024/8/25)
TV Shinshu Yugata Get! every. (2024/8/30)
Thank you for reading until the end.
Thankfully, this 'Ordinary Photos for the Future' series was selected for the Creative Awards 2025.
How do I protect and deliver the 'Why' (the heart of what I cherish) depicted in this article as a professional?
I have compiled the 'How' (the practical field) into a behind-the-scenes story of shooting Naoko Takahashi's Olympic torch relay (free article).
Furthermore, I have also prepared a paid article (800 yen) that summarizes the entire 'delivery' mindset that serves as the guideline for all these actions.
#CreativeAward2025 #AllCategoriesSection
#TheLastCommemorativePhoto