Culture Capital of Photography
The Town of Photography—Higashikawa
The Town of Higashikawa is located in central Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, and has a population of approximately 8,300. Higashikawa is surrounded by plenty of nature—the town overlooks the largest national park in Japan, the Daisetsu Mountain Range; and the highest mountain in Hokkaido, Mount Asahidake.
Water is a vital resource for Higashikawa. The snow that falls on Mount Daisetsu turns into mineral-rich groundwater. This groundwater is not only an essential source of water for the locals of Higashikawa, but it also nourishes the beautiful rice fields around the town that is renowned as one of the best rice production areas in Hokkaido.
In 1985, Higashikawa declared itself as the world’s first Town of Photography and has since been interacting with people globally through photography. In 2015, the International High School Student’s Photo Festival Exchange was held for the first time and was attended by high school students from all over the world who gathered in Higashikawa to expand their friendship circle through photography. From Australia, students from Canberra have been participating in the festival since its inception. In 2019, students from 24 schools in 22 countries and regions gathered in the town for the festival. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the event was held virtually in 2020.
As the ‘Culture Capital of Photography’, the small town of Higashikawa has been spreading its culture globally through various events and projects. Higashikawa is home to Japan’s first public Japanese language school and hosts many international students. The town also runs the annual Higashikawa International Photography Festival, a major event in the town. This Festival is centred on the Higashikawa Prize, which has grown into an internationally recognised photography award.
As one of the top five furniture producing regions of Japan and a major producer of Asahikawa furniture, Higashikawa also has a stake in the furniture industry. The inaugural ‘“Kengo Kuma & Higashikawa” KAGU Design Competition’ was held earlier this year, which accepted entries of furniture design from young designers around the world to inspire a new sophisticated style of furniture.
