A photographer born and raised in Arakawa Ward is preserving the “present” of his hometown for the future Launching the “Arakawa Photo” community photography project

Wakiiro Photography Office (Representative: Toru Wakiiro; Headquarters: Arakawa Ward, Tokyo), based in Arakawa Ward, Tokyo, and active throughout the 23 wards of Tokyo and the Kanto region, announced on July 16, 2026, that it had launched “Arakawa Photo,” a community photography project that documents the people and daily life of Arakawa Ward through photography.

▼Arakawa Photo

https://www.arakawaphoto.tokyo/

Through “Arakawa Photo,” the agency will photograph the people living in the community—including shops, artisans, families, children, festivals, and community activities—with a focus on areas such as Nippori, Machiya, Minami-Senju, Ogu, and Nishi-Nippori, preserving the “present” of Arakawa Ward for future generations through photography.

Wakairo, who launched the project, is a photographer born and raised in Arakawa Ward. In addition to being featured in “Pro Photographer FILE”—Japan’s only comprehensive photographer yearbook—he has been involved in portrait photography for many years, including as a contributor to Getty Images.He also actively participates in various community activities in Arakawa Ward.

“Arakawa Photo” is a project born from the belief that not only famous people and special events, but also the ordinary people living in the neighborhood and their everyday lives will become valuable records of the community as time passes. Rather than a short-term project, I aim to continue photographing the people and daily lives of Arakawa Ward over the long term as my life’s work.

I will also provide photographic support, to the extent possible, for activities that showcase the people and daily life of Arakawa Ward, such as local festivals, volunteer activities, and initiatives by neighborhood associations and community groups.

At Wakairo Photo Studio, we regularly handle a wide variety of portrait photography, including family portraits, children’s portraits, Shichi-Go-San celebrations, first shrine visits, profile photos, corporate and store photography, and local events. Drawing on the experience we’ve cultivated through these shoots, we will use photography to connect with local residents and gradually document “Arakawa Ward Today”—a record that can be looked back on years or even decades from now.

[Voices from the Community]

Mr. Katsuki Saito, the owner of Nippori Saito-yu—a public bathhouse that has long observed the lives and daily routines of Arakawa Ward residents—stated the following:

“We’ve had a long-standing relationship with Wakairo Photo Studio. Arakawa Ward is home to many long-standing human connections and cherished scenes from everyday life. I look forward to ‘Arakawa Photo’ preserving the lives of local residents living in the present through photography for future generations.”

Mr. Akihiro Yamada of Yamayo Textiles, Chairman of the Tokyo Nippori Textile Wholesale Cooperative (Nippori Textile District), stated the following:

“Arakawa Ward has a unique culture shaped by its shops, artisans, and the people who live here. I hope that through ‘Arakawa Photo,’ the charm of the community and the expressions of the people who work and live here will be widely shared.”

In Nippori, where as many as 160 candy wholesalers once lined the streets, Ms. Ritsuko Oya of Oya Shoten—the last remaining shop carrying on the history that dates back to the postwar era—stated the following:

“In the past, there were candy stores all over town where children would gather. Now, that kind of scene is gradually disappearing. That is precisely why I hope ‘Arakawa Photo’ will capture the current state of the town and its people in photographs and pass that legacy on to the future.”

[Project Overview]

Name: Arakawa Photo

　　　　　 https://www.arakawaphoto.tokyo/

Organizer: Wakairo Photography Office

　　　　　 http://www.wakairo.tokyo/

Photography Area: Entire Arakawa Ward and adjacent areas

Content: Local residents, families, shops, artisans, festivals, events, and documentation of daily life

[About Wakairo Photo Studio and Arakawa Photo]

Wakiiro Photo Studio is based in Arakawa Ward and provides photography services throughout Tokyo’s 23 wards, including family portraits, Shichi-Go-San ceremonies, headshots, and event photography.“Arakawa Photo” captures and documents the people living in Arakawa Ward, as well as local events, work, and everyday scenes. While cherishing the connections fostered through our community-rooted activities, this local photography project—which serves everyone from individuals to businesses and organizations—captures natural expressions and the unique essence of each person.

Member of the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry / Getty Images Contributor /

Contract Photographer for Tokyo Fuji Color Co., Ltd. / Arakawa Ward Social Media City Promoter /

Registered Artist with the Arakawa City Foundation for the Promotion of Arts and Culture Artist Bank /

Member of the Arakawa City International Exchange Association / Member of the Arakawa City Council on Global Warming Countermeasures