A photo exhibition titled "URESHINO SHOT" by photographer 酒生哲雄 opens on November 3, 2026 (Tuesday, holiday) at Wataya Besso (和多屋別荘), a ryokan in Ureshino, Saga Prefecture.
Rather than a dedicated exhibition room built for viewing photographs, the ryokan itself becomes the stage where guests encounter the works. The first thing to greet visitors is five noren curtains (のれん) hung in front of the entrance, reflecting the world of 酒生's photography. From the moment visitors pass through them, every moment spent walking through the building, looking at the scenery, soaking in the hot spring, and relaxing in a guest room becomes a stage for encountering art.
With the photographs blending into a stay at Wataya Besso, the exhibition offers a new perspective on familiar spaces and the landscapes of Ureshino, and lets visitors experience the "now" of a ryokan that is celebrating its 76th anniversary.
"URESHINO SHOT," Following "JAPAN SHOT" and "EURO SHOT"
"JAPAN SHOT," a series 酒生 has presented so far, captures landscapes across Japan, and "EURO SHOT" captures landscapes of Europe, such as Paris and London.
"URESHINO SHOT" focuses on the land of Ureshino in Saga. Works that have captured the landscapes of Japan, Europe, and now Ureshino meet in a ryokan, creating a new viewing experience in which photographs, space, and the memory of the land overlap.
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Walking Through the Building Becomes a Way to Encounter the Works
A distinctive feature of "URESHINO SHOT" is that the entire ryokan becomes the stage for encountering photographic works.
From the lobby to the corridors and various other places in the building, visitors come across works as they walk, and the scenery looks different as they move from place to place. This creates a rhythm of appreciation unique to a ryokan, different from touring exhibition rooms one after another.
Making use of the grounds of Wataya Besso, which cover about 20,000 tsubo (坪), visitors can tour the building prompted by the photographs and think about the land of Ureshino. Overnight guests and day visitors alike can enjoy the works in their own way.
A Concept Room Where Guests Can Stay Inside the World of the Photographs
The exhibition also includes a concept room that extends the world of the works into a guest room.
It is a special room where the works set up in the room resonate with a traditional Japanese space. Beyond encountering works while walking through the building, guests can experience facing the photographs through the time of their stay itself.
The concept room can be reserved for overnight stays. For details such as how to book, please check the reservation page below.
Bringing the World of the Photographs Into Daily Life: POP UP Area From December 5
From December 5, 2026, "URESHINO SHOT" will also expand to the POP UP area inside the building.
Goods such as cushion covers inspired by the world of the concept room are also planned to be sold. The exhibition suggests not only viewing the photographs but also enjoying bringing their world into daily life.
Photographs encountered in the space of the ryokan become memories of the stay and connect to life afterward. "URESHINO SHOT" extends into an experience that links photographs, place, and everyday life.
Photographer 酒生哲雄
Exhibition Details
- Name: Photo exhibition "URESHINO SHOT"
- Dates: November 3, 2026 (Tuesday, holiday) to January 11, 2027 (Monday, holiday)
- POP UP area opens: From December 5, 2026
- Venue: Wataya Besso (和多屋別荘), Ureshino-machi Shimojuku Otsu 738, Ureshino City, Saga Prefecture (佐賀県嬉野市嬉野町下宿乙738)
- Admission: Free (works are available for sale)
- Concept room: Overnight stays available; reservations accepted through the reservation page
