shashasha

"Onsen MMXXIV" continues Yusuke Yamatani's long-running series on natural hot springs. About fifteen years ago, during a trip through Japan, Yamatani decided to visit a natural hot spring in the mountains of Akita. Since then, he has continued to visit hot springs throughout Japan, often accompanied by friends, acquaintances, and strangers.
"Onsen MMXXIV" succinctly captures Yamatani's fascination with these places. Often located in areas of volcanic activity, Yamatani captures the hot springs as if they were part of a world between worlds: barren and dead, devoid of life and vegetation, yet vibrant, colorful, and multi-patterned. But Yamatani's photographs also capture another aspect of his onsen visits: the hot spring as a social occasion. In addition to the beauty of these natural formations, Yamatani's photographs focus as much on the people who travel with him—including written accounts of group conversations interspersed throughout the photographs.

Please note that all text in this issue is in Japanese only.