Yamatomichi photo shoots have always been shaped by the people closest to us. Each year, staff, friends, and family come together to photograph our seasonal collection amid some of Japan’s most striking landscapes.
For Spring/Summer 2026, we crossed the sea to Izu Oshima and Miyakejima, two volcanic islands in the Izu archipelago. These islands give "Isles" its name and its setting, as we follow hikers through mountains and along coastlines shaped by the power of volcanoes.
Behind the camera was Masaaki Mita, editor-in-chief of our Journal. Toshiyuki Azuma, Hikaru Otake, and Go Kakizaki captured the journey on video, with Yosuke Abe directing the film. The shoot was directed by Akira Natsume and produced by Kazuhiro Hasumi, with production managers Yuma Shimoyama and Kyoka Mizusugi bringing everything together.
In front of the camera were Takuya, who writes about his travels through Taiwan for our Journal; Ai, who manages our HLC Instagram and often writes for us; long-distance hikers Masaru and Shiori; photographer Rikiya; Maho, who sews our backpacks at the Yamatomichi factory; Kiyora, who curates our Spotify playlists; Makoto, whose Tent Sauna Party has become a much-loved part of the Yamatomichi Hiking Festival; and our good friend Riku from Pacific Brewing.
Credits
Still Photography
Masaaki Mita
Videography
Toshiyuki Azuma
Hikaru Otake
Go Kakizaki
Video Director
Yosuke Abe
Models — in order of appearance
Takuya Sasa
Ai Watanabe
Masaru Kiyota
Shiori Maehara
Rikiya Nakamura
Maho Okada
Kiyora Toyoshima
Makoto Fujiyama
Riku Oba
Producer
Kazuhiro Hasumi
Production Managers
Yuma Shimoyama
Kyoka Mizusugi
Director
Akira Natsume