Shinjuku Kitamura Camera will host "Where the Stories Begin", a photo exhibition by photographer and film producer Tomohiko Ishii, in its B1F Basement Gallery from Tuesday, December 1 to Wednesday, December 30, 2026.
Five Stories Born From Photographs
A photograph is the smallest unit of a story. What it shows is only a single moment, and what happened before and after is left to the imagination of the viewer.
The exhibition presents photographic works under five story themes: "A Story That Begins With a Single Photograph," "A Story of the Extraordinary," "A Story of Time Layered," "A Story of Beginnings and Endings," and "A Story of Connection."
Visitors can imagine the time before and after a single photograph, as well as the lives of the people in it. Combining two photographs taken in different places and at different times reveals an unexpected new story.
Experience the World of Stories With Tomohiko Ishii's Own Voice
At the venue, an audio guide narrated by Tomohiko Ishii leads visitors through the exhibition along the "five stories." Visitors scan a QR code with their smartphone to move through the "five stories." The audio guide content is also displayed as text, so those without earphones can enjoy it as well.
After going through the "five stories," a "story that is yours alone" awaits each visitor. While experiencing the narrative quality of photographs, a new story is born within every visitor. The exhibition invites visitors to enjoy the experience of encountering their own story.
Note: Audio app screen.
Exhibition Details
- Title: Tomohiko Ishii Photo Exhibition "Where the Stories Begin"
- Dates: Tuesday, December 1 to Wednesday, December 30, 2026
- Venue: Shinjuku Kitamura Camera, B1F Basement Gallery
- Hours: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM (product sales 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM). Hours may change during events.
- Planning and production: Kaori Saito
- Details: https://posicompany.com/photo/monogatari
Photographer Profile
Tomohiko Ishii
Photographer and film producer.
Tomohiko Ishii has worked on many films and animated works, including Spirited Away (「千と千尋の神隠し」), The Boy and the Heron (「君たちはどう生きるか」), and The Sky Crawlers (「スカイ・クロラ」). He contributes photographs and reportage to magazines such as SWITCH and Cameraholics, and is also active as a photographer, sharing the appeal of cameras and photography through YouTube and events. At Leica Store, he has held the photo exhibitions 「石を積む」 (2023), 「ミッドナイト・イン・パリ」 (2024), and 「100年目のウェッツラー 100年先のライカ」 (2026). In 2025, the photo exhibition 「Mの旅人 ─M型ライカで距離を測る旅─」, held at Shinjuku Kitamura Camera as well as in Kagawa and Osaka, drew great attention as a new kind of photo exhibition that lets visitors experience a sense of distance.
Companion Book 「自分の中の物語」
Alongside the "Where the Stories Begin" exhibition, the book 「自分の中の物語」 (NewsPicks Publishing) is scheduled for release on November 24. Purchase the book here.
About Shinjuku Kitamura Camera
Photo: ©Jun UDAGAWA
Shinjuku Kitamura Camera opened in July 2020 in Shinjuku, a mecca for camera lovers, as a specialty store proposing a lifestyle built around photography and cameras. Every floor is devoted to camera- and photography-related services, including new and used camera sales floors, a Leica authorized boutique, a vintage salon stocked with rare Leica models, a service counter that supports repairs and everyday maintenance, and an event space for photo exhibitions. The store proposes a rich photographic life for everyone, from camera beginners to those who deeply love photography and cameras.
About the Basement Gallery
The Basement Gallery is located on the B1 floor of Shinjuku Kitamura Camera. Born under the concept of "sending photographic culture out from underground," it is a space that continues to share the appeal of photography with everyone who loves it. The gallery hosts photography- and camera-related events, including exhibitions by noteworthy photographers and photographers regarded as "legends," as well as collaborations with manufacturers.
