Photo studio in Joetsu City launches inbound photography service(Joetsu City and Myoko City, Niigata Prefecture)

2025.1.24

inboundHistoryarmor and helmetclothingSightseeingAkakura Kanko Hotel

Wearing authentic armor, you will feel like a samurai!

Photo Office O2, a photo studio in Fujino-shinden, Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture, has started a photography service called “Musharaku,” which allows visitors to take photos wearing armor and kimono, in order to please foreign tourists visiting the Joetsu Myoko area on inbound trips. On Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th of this month, a limited-time studio will be open at the Akakura Kanko Hotel in Myoko City for photo shoots for tourists.

This service was planned by Photo Office O2, a photography studio that offers a variety of photography services, including bridal photography and drone photography.

Miyako Takizawa, the company’s managing director and a photographer, had been thinking about a project that would allow foreign tourists who have visited the Joetsu Myoko area on a long-term inbound basis to enjoy the area even more than before. Takizawa was deeply involved with last year’s Kenshin-ko Festival, as he photographed Ryu Koshino, who played Lord Kenshin, and served as a representative of the cheering group. He was exposed to the passion of the people involved in the event and the passion of the people who come from all over Japan to wear the armor and participate in the procession. Therefore, we planned a photo service for foreigners visiting the area to wear real armor and kimonos and create memories for them.

The armor worn was ordered by Marutake Sangyo, an armor workshop that also provides armor for the Kenshin-ko Festival. Visitors can take pictures in authentic samurai costumes, including a helmet with an impressive crescent moon front, armor such as a torso, heavy armor such as kote, colorful jinbaori, and a realistic jintachi (sword). Armor is made so that it can be worn by people of all heights and body types.

For women, we offer several types of photo-ready colored uchikake, which are designed to look like princesses. All kimonos and hakama worn under the armor are also provided, so all you need to do is wear a T-shirt and you are ready for the photo service without anything else.

Wearing these items, a photographer will take pictures of you with Takada Castle and nighttime cherry blossoms printed on a cloth in the background. We can travel to Photo Office O2’s studio or anywhere else (appointment required).

The price is 22,000 yen (including tax) for the Samurai Plan with one person in armor, and 39,600 yen (including tax) for the Samurai & Princess Plan with a couple wearing armor and colored Uchikake. Each person takes about one hour to shoot, and two people take about one and a half hours. You can take home one photo printed in 2L size, or they can take three shots with your smartphone so you can enjoy posting them on social networking sites.

The staff also includes interpreters. In addition to traveling to events and other events, Photo Office O2 also provides photography services.

On January 24 (Fri.) and 25 (Sat.), we will open an on-site studio at the Akakura Kanko Hotel, which is frequented by many inbound skiers, to conduct photo shoots. Not only foreigners but also Japanese tourists are welcome.

They plan to hold future events at the 100th Takada Joshi Park Cherry Blossom Viewing Party.

Miyako Takizawa, Executive Director, Photo Office O2
「We have planned services for inbound tourists who are staying in Japan for a long time to enjoy in addition to meals and activities. If you are involved in activities for inbound tourists, such as kimono remaking or selling sundries, we would love to work with you to organize events such as pop-up stores. Also, if you are in the inbound tourism or travel industry, or if you run a lodging facility and are interested in this service, we will travel to your place. Please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!」

Musyaraku
■Price: Samurai Plan (1 person): 1 2L size photo in armor + 3 smartphone shots (1 hour) 22,000 yen (tax included); Samurai & Princess Plan (2 people): 1 2L size photo in armor & colored kimono + 3 smartphone shots (1 hour 30 minutes) 39,600 yen (tax included)

Pop-up store (opening of on-site studio)
■Date: Friday, January 24 and Saturday, January 25, 11:00-16:00
■Venue: Akakura Kanko Hotel (216 Tagiri, Myoko City)
■Inquiries: TEL 025-530-8787 (Photo Office O2)
■Homepage