Higashikawa, Photography town in Kamikawa District, Japan.
Higashikawa is a town in Kamikawa District in central Hokkaido, spreading across roughly 247 square kilometers surrounded by mountains and forests. The area sits within one of Japan's largest national parks and is shaped by volcanic peaks and natural landscapes.
The town was founded in 1906 and received official status as an administrative division in 1959. Since then, it has gradually developed into a center for photography and tourism.
Photography shapes daily life here through annual contests and an arts center that draws visitors and creators together. This focus on the medium is visible everywhere, from galleries to the many photographers working across the landscape.
The town is easily reached in about 13 minutes from Asahikawa Airport or 22 minutes from Asahikawa Station with regular connections. Summer and autumn offer the best conditions for visiting, when weather and light are ideal for photographers.
All residents here drink water from natural underground springs fed by snowmelt from Mount Asahidake. This makes it Hokkaido's only town relying entirely on this private water source without a public system.
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