Happy New Year!

In a world both uncertain and hopeful, may this coming year bring you happiness, good health, and quiet moments of grace.

Wishing you all the best, and thank you for your continued support.

At the start of the new year, I have made some updates to my latest portfolio, From the Ancient Path, including the addition of around fifteen new pictures.

These newly added works were photographed along the Seto Inland Sea coast of Hiroshima Prefecture, as well as on its surrounding islands.

I hope you will take a moment to visit the site when time allows.

In the coming months, I plan to continue my photographic journeys further west along Honshu, and along routes that cross the Seto Inland Sea toward Shikoku.

Mihara Port, Hiroshima Prefecture © Toru Ukai, 2026

Along the Ancient Path: A New Project Begins

I have begun sharing my ongoing project, From the Ancient Path — People Pass, the Path Remains. Since this is only an introduction to the work in progress, the portfolio is presented not on this website but in a separate location. It is composed of four chapters — Toward Dreams, Path of Time, Temporary Dwelling, and By the Roadside — offering a glimpse of the themes that shape the work.

The photography for this new series will continue until the end of winter, and the portfolio will be updated from time to time. I would be delighted if you'd occasionally stop by to see how the work evolves. Your impressions or thoughts would also be greatly appreciated, as they can offer valuable insight for the continuing stages of this project.

I plan to edit and publish the completed work as a new photobook next spring.

“Far Away from Here ...” is now on sale !

I’m very pleased to announce the release of my new photo book, “Far Away from Here ...” 

It’s an attempt to visually rediscover Japan, far away from the center of Tokyo, that is,

the “singularity” of this country, and at the same time, a record of a journey of trying to get away from “myself”. Anyway, it is the first step in my exploration into the “old layers” of Japan.

The book is now available at the Blurb Bookstore or on my website.

For more information, please visit here !