About
Naoto Ijichi is a Sydney-based photographer originally from Kyoto, Japan, with a background in Visual Communication Design from Kyoto College of Art and Kyoto Seika University.
His work explores the relationship between culture and nature, tradition and contemporary life, often bridging perspectives between West and East. His approach is deeply informed by art history, seeking to visualise the layers of history and meaning that have been shaped over time.
His personal projects include the series “Tokyo Gardens,” a visual journey through 400 years of garden history in Tokyo, from traditional to contemporary gardens. The project explores 14 gardens, tracing how changes in society and culture are reflected in the design and character of these gardens. “Tokyo Gardens” has been exhibited in Tokyo, Madrid, and Sydney. His recent series, “New Homes,” was featured in the 2024 international exhibition “Different Perspectives” in South Korea, exploring evolving ideas of home, interior and identity.
His architectural work includes photographing Jimon-tei Zen Garden in Sydney for internationally renowned Japanese landscape architect and Zen priest Shunmyo Masuno, the award-winning restaurant Raku in Canberra for Facet Studio, the residential development Skye North Sydney for Koichi Takada Architects, and contributing to the heritage-listed Transport House renovation project with Design 5 Architects. These projects reflect his sensitivity to architectural design, materiality, light, and cultural context. He has also photographed Lavender Bay House by Collins and Turner, exploring the interplay of light and shadow, as well as the relationship between design and materials.
Exhibition
2025 Installation “Stillness in Neon”
Collaboration with Marta Wawrzyniak-Ijichi
Antique Decorative Art Gallery, Sydney, Australia
2024 Group Exhibition "New Homes"
featured in “Different Perspectives" Zone5 International Photography Exhibition
Art Space Gotgan, Cheonjiu, South Korea
2023 Solo Exhibition “Dream Window”
Collaboration with Marta Wawrzyniak-Ijichi
Disorder Gallery, Sydney, Australia
2015 Solo Exhibition “Tokyo Gardens”
As a part of "Head On Photo Festival"
Japan Foundation Gallery, Sydney, Australia
2015 Solo Exhibition “Tokyo Gardens”
Cowra Japanese Garden Cultural Centre, NSW Australia
2012 Group Exhibition “Selected Japanese and Chinese Landscape photographs printed on
Japanese washi paper”
China -Anhui, Huangshan, Beijing / Japan-Yamanashi, Shizuoka, Kyoto
2008 Solo Exhibition “Jardines de Tokio”
Gallery of University Autonoma De Madrid, Madrid, Spain
2006 Solo Exhibition “Tokyo Gardens”
Kodak Photo Salon, Tokyo, Japan
Links
Award
2025 International Architecture Photography Awards
• 2nd Place – Stairs Category
• Honourable Mention – Interior Architecture Category
2022 Mono Award
• "Sydney Harbour Bridge" Highly Commended, Place Category
• "The CTA Building" Highly Commended, Place Category
• "Wedding Cake Rock" Highly Commended, Place Category
2021 ND Award, Professional Architecture Category
• "Lavender Bay House, Sydney" Honourable Mentions
• "The Exchange, Sydney" Honourable Mentions
• "Two Chairs, Canberra" Honourable Mentions
2021 Photographer of the Year, Black & White Category
Australian Photography Magazine
• "Living Deco Sydney" Highly Commended