On a weekend in late September 2025, I joined a Daisetsuzan Asahidake photography course run by the open lecture program for working adults, 「藝術学舎」, and used this facility as part of the course. The interior was quiet and calm, providing a space where you could spend time engaging with the works. The exhibition rooms were neither too large nor too small, and the presentation of the photographs was sophisticated, making it a very comfortable environment. This Asahidake photography course centered on fieldwork, but having the gallery as a base gave it depth as a learning experience rather than simply a photo outing. During critiques and reflection sessions, I felt that the atmosphere of the place helped support the experience too. It's a place where you can feel the accumulated photography culture unique to Higashikawa. It struck me as a 'space for engaging with photography' rather than a tourist facility, and I think it offers a special experience for people studying photography. Whether you're a photography enthusiast or simply visiting Higashikawa, this is a spot I'd really encourage you to stop by.

+2

Higashikawa became famous for 写真甲子園, and I think it's wonderful that it's still continuing. It's known as a town of photography, but I think this cultural gallery should be promoted a little more. When I went a few years ago, they were holding an exhibition by ハービー・山口. Yet despite it being a weekend, only 1 other person and I were looking around. I wish they would make the information a little more noticeable at the roadside station. My memory is hazy, but I remember that when I visited shortly after this facility opened, they were also exhibiting photographs by some very prominent figures. Since 井上浩輝 lives in Higashikawa, I'd like them to have a permanent exhibition of his work.

+1

A facility at the cultural heart of Higashikawa, the 'town of photography.' When I visited in February, 3 exhibitions were running: 斎藤康一「昭和の肖像」, みやこうせい「ルーマニアへのたび」, and 篠山紀信「シノラマ」. The exhibitions were so substantial that it was hard to believe admission was just 100円. I think it's an absolutely wonderful facility.

+3

The main photography exhibition venue in Higashikawa, famous for 「写真甲子園」. Admission is 100円. There are many photographs full of local everyday life, but few artistic photographs. If they're going to call themselves a town of photography, shouldn't they make an effort to exhibit a slightly wider variety of photographs?

+3

A gallery for holding cultural exhibitions related to Higashikawa, Hokkaido. The exhibits change regularly according to the theme. To give an example from Chiba Prefecture, it feels similar to the first-floor exhibition corner at the Chiba Prefectural Archives, where official documents are displayed by theme. Perhaps because Higashikawa holds 写真甲子園 every year and furniture is a core industry, many of the exhibitions are art-related.

+3