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, Cowra and Sydney. His recent series “New Homes”, exploring evolving ideas of home, interior and identity, was featured in the 2024 international exhibition “Different Perspectives” in South Korea.
Alongside his artistic practice, he works professionally in architectural, interior and portrait photography, collaborating with publishers and architectural studios. His commissions include documenting the 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 the heritage-listed Transport House renovation with Design 5 Architects, as well as Lavender Bay House by Collins and Turner.
His photographs have been recognised in Australian and international awards, including the International Architecture Photography Awards, the ND International Photography Awards, and the Mono Awards and Photographer of the Year (Black & White) from Australian Photography Magazine.
Exhibitions
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 Exhibition “Dream Windows” - 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
Capture Magazine:
http://www.capturemag.com.au/yafevent/tokyo-gardens-by-naoto-ijichi
ND International Photography Awards:
Awards
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