A volume in a world series
Your book is published free to read alongside 13 volumes from 20 countries, in English and Japanese — a place in a growing international archive, not a one-off campaign.
COMMISSION
Make a MASU PHOTO book of your country or city
MASU PHOTO makes one photo book per country or region. We photograph the people of your place holding the masu — a traditional Japanese vessel whose name echoes “to increase” — and publish the result as a new volume of a series that already spans 20 countries and 13 books. A project for destination and city promotion, cultural exchange and exhibitions.
Start a project ↓The 13 volumes so far — and the next one
The people of the place, with the masu
Every volume is made of portraits like these — people photographed where they live, each holding the same masu.
Why a MASU PHOTO book
Portraits of your people
Each book is built from the people who live there — faces, streets and light — which is what makes a place feel worth visiting.
A link to Japan
The masu is a Japanese good-luck vessel. For places abroad it becomes a story about Japan; for places in Japan, a way to show local people to the world.
Who we work with
01
National tourism boards
A national volume for destination promotion abroad, or for a cultural exchange programme with Japan.
02
Municipalities, tourism associations & DMOs
A volume of your city or region for city promotion, tourism and relations with sister cities.
03
Regional companies & organisations
Sponsor or co-produce the volume of the region you belong to, credited in the book.
04
Series sponsorship
Support the MASU PHOTO series as a whole, credited across the online archive and future volumes.
Embassies and consulates are welcome as partners — through endorsement, local introductions or an exhibition venue — without a fee.
How the book can be used
- City and destination promotion
- Tourism websites and social media
- Cultural exchange and sister-city programmes
- Exhibitions and events
- Gifts and presentations for guests
OPTION
Promotion after publication
We can also take on promotion once the book is finished. Choose what you need; it is quoted together with the book.
Social media
We share the book and the story of the shoot on social media.
Social media advertising
We plan and run ads that reach the countries and audiences you want.
Video
We produce videos of the shoot, including short-form video.
Exhibitions & events
We plan and run exhibitions of the book and events to launch it.
Results report
We report on the results of the promotion — views, reactions and more — for your own reporting and next steps.
How it works
Inquiry
Tell us the country or region and what you want the book to do.
Consultation & quote
We shape the plan together — places, people, schedule — and send a proposal and quote.
Shoot on location
MaSU photographs the people of your place with the masu.
Publication & promotion
The book is published as a new volume of MASU PHOTO. If you wish, we also take on its promotion.
Pricing
Each project, including any promotion options, is quoted individually according to the region, the scale of the shoot and how the book will be used. Consultations and quotes are free. MASU PHOTO does not take individual portrait sessions.
Questions
How much does a project cost?
Each project is quoted individually according to the region, the scale of the shoot and how the book will be used. Consultations and quotes are free.
Do you take individual or family portrait sessions?
No. MASU PHOTO works on photo book projects for countries, regions and the organisations that represent them.
Can you photograph outside Japan?
Yes. MASU PHOTO has been photographed in 20 countries, in Japan and abroad.
Will the book be published?
Yes. The finished book is published on this site as a volume of the MASU PHOTO series. The timing and details of publication are agreed with you.
Can you also handle the promotion?
Yes. Social media, social media advertising, video production, and exhibitions and events are available as options, and we report on the results.
Can we use the photographs for our own promotion?
Yes, how the photographs are used is agreed in the proposal for each project.
Who is the photographer?
MaSU (KEI), founder of FOMUS and the photographer of MASU PHOTO.
Inquiry
We will reply by email. Your details are used only to respond to your inquiry.