Chris studied ecology at the Universities of Lancaster (UK) and Calgary (Canada). After traveling around Europe and Australasia he worked as a guide in the Peruvian Amazon. In 1999, he moved to Japan for what he thought would be a brief stint teaching English. His initial interest in the country changed to a deep fascination which inspired his travels around Japan. Nearly a decade after his arrival, he now lives on the island of Okinawa, where he works as a writer, photographer and lecturer.
He hopes that his articles and images will inspire others to visit Japan, or bring back fond memories to those who have made their own journeys through the land of the rising sun.
Chris shoots with the medium format Pentax 67II system. It results in a heavy travel bag, but the huge transparencies are outstanding. He uses Fuji Provia and Velvia films for their fantastic color and exceptionally fine grain.
His writing and photographs have been published in newspapers, magazines, advertising, documentaries, academic textbooks and, in 2007, one of his images of Okinawa was used for a Japanese stamp.
Make sure to visit his own website:
Website Chris Willson.
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Smiley Face Picture Happy and healthy living puts a smiley face on many Okinawan Women, Okinawa, Japan. The women of Okinawa have the longest life expectancy of any people in the world. The phenomenon is... |
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Picture Of Sumo Wrestlers Japan A circle of Sumo Wrestlers in an arena prior to starting a match in the city of Osaka, Japan. Sumo wrestling is an iconic sport of Japan. Sumo an awesome spectacle that can be seen during the main basho that take place in Tokyo, Osaka,... |
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Neon Signs Osaka Japan Bright neon lights and signs vie for attention of passers by in the Namba District of Osaka in Japan. The neon light that were supposedly the inspiration for the night scenes in Ridley Scott's blade... |
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Festival Of Fire Shingu City Japan The annual Otou Fire Festival draws large crowds from Shingu City in the Wakayama Prefecture of Japan. A spectacular fire festival held each year on the mountain above Shingu City in Wakayama Prefecture. |
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Picture Of Tokyo Nightlife Japan The nightlife at Ginza in Tokyo, Japan, with the flashing neon lights and constant flow of traffic is as fast paced as during the day. Tokyo has a frenetic vitality unmatched by any other city in the world. When standing at the... |
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Japanese Woman Snorkeling Ishigaki Japan The most populated of the Yaeyama Islands of Japan, Ishiagki Island is a popular destination for many forms of water sports including snorkeling and diving. Ishigaki has some fantastic diving and snorkeling including the rare blue coral. |
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Ryukyu Queen Shuri Castle Okinawa Japan Chosen to represent a Ryukyu Queen during the Shuri Castle festival in Naha, Okinawa, Japan. Each year a girl is chosen to represent the ancient Ryukyu queen and sit in the throne during the... |
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Dancing Okinawan Woman Japan A happy Okinawan woman balances a bottle on her head while dancing in Okinawa, Japan. The women of Okinawa have the longest life expectancy of any people in the world. The phenomenon is... |
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Umeda Sky Building Japan Architecture A wonder of modern architecture, standing at 173 metres high, the Umeda Sky Building in the city of Osaka, Japan features a "floating garden" on the 39th floor. Although many of Japan's building are concrete boxes that show little beauty, some are truly... |
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Travel Destination Osaka Japan Always something happening, Osaka is Japan's third largest city and a popular travel destination. Osaka is a busy metropolis whose residents work equally hard at making money and having a good time. |
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Fuji TV Building Tokyo Japan An intriguing piece of architecture - construction of the Fuji TV Building in Tokyo, Japan was completed in 1996. The Fuji TV building in Odaiba, Tokyo, Japan. A fantastic futuristic architectural design. |
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Otou Fire Festival Shingu Japan The annual Otou Fire Festival underway near the city of Shingu in the Wakayama Prefecture of Japan. A spectacular fire festival held each year on the mountain above Shingu City in Wakayama Prefecture. |
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Sanja Matsuri Tokyo Japan Sanja Matsuri, a festival held annually throughout Japan, seen here in the city of Tokyo. One of Japan's most popular festivals. Portable shrines are carried around the Asakusa district of... |
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Okayama Castle Picture Japan The reconstructed Okayama Castle, is also known as Crow Castle because of its black exterior. It is situated in the city of Okayama, Japan. Okayama Castle is a fine example of a black castle, that brings back visions of historic Japan when... |
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Harley Davidson Motorcycle Picture The iconic motorcycle for bikers the world over, a Harley Davidson - showing the V-rod technology. An American icon with 21st Century technology, the Harley V-rod. |
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Japan Landscape Mt Fuji Picture Mt Fuji is Japan's highest mountain (3776 metres) and is a prominent feature in the landscape near the city of Fuji Yoshida in Japan on a clear day. Snowcapped and wind blown Mt Fuji and a pagoda in the city of Fuji Yoshida, Yamanashi, Honshu,... |
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Japanese People Picture Two young Japanese people, aka Okinawans, look relaxed on the beach of Iriomote Island, Okinawa, Japan. Life on Okinawa's southern island is in sharp contrast to mainland Japan. On Iriomote island there... |
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Ishigaki Island Travel Destination Japan The pristine, white sands of Tsukiji Beach are a popular travel destination on Ishigaki Island in Japan. Around 2000 kilometers south of Tokyo, lies the pristine island of Ishigaki. Surrounded by... |
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Picture Of An Ainu Elder Hokkaido Japan An Ainu Elder in traditional clothing on the island of Hokkaido in Japan. The Ainu are the indigenous people of Japan found on Hokkaido, Japan's northern-most main island.... |
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Torii Tunnel Fushimi Inari Shrine Kyoto Japan The Torii Tunnel at Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, Japan features bright red posts. Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice and sake. A tunnel of... |
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Picture Of A Geisha Apprentice Kyoto Japan A girl in full maiko (geisha apprentice) kimono and makeup in the Gion district of Kyoto, Japan. In the backstreets of Kyoto's Gion district, visitors may glimpse the iconic figure of a maiko (an... |
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Cute Snow Monkeys Nagano Japan Huddling together, a trio of cute Japanese Snow Monkeys stay warm and bonded beside the hot springs in Nagano, Japan. In winter, when food is limited, Japanese snow monkeys congregate in and around the hot spring... |
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Naked Man Festival Okayama Japan Photo A large gathering of brave souls attend the Naked Man Festival, aka Hadaka Matsuri in Okayama, Japan. The Hadaka Matsuri of naked man festival is an amazing sight where 1000's of local men fight for... |
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Atomic Bomb Dome Hiroshima Japan A bleak reminder of the past, the atomic bomb dome is situated near ground zero in the city of Hiroshima, Japan. The Atomic Bomb dome in Hiroshima stands as a reminder of the devastation and the city's continuing... |
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Hiroshima Peace Memorial Atomic Bomb Dome With the Peace Memorial - the Atomic Bomb Dome illuminated in green, prayer lanterns are floated on the Ota River in Hiroshima, Japan. Each year on August 6th the people of Hiroshima float lanterns out to sea in memory of those who... |
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Itsukshima Shrine Fireworks Festival Hiroshima Fireworks light the sky behind the torii gate, during the annual Itsukushima Shrine fireworks festival, Hiroshima, Japan. Each year, on August 14th, Itsukushima Shrine hosts its most spectacular event - the fireworks... |
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Picture Of A Buddhist Monk Carving Hiroshima An intricate carving of a Buddhist Monk at the Itsukushima Shrine near the city of Hiroshima, Japan. A wonderful wooden carving of a monk outside a temple on Miyajima Island, near Hiroshima. |
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Picture Of A Maiko In Kyoto Japan A young girl walks the streets of Gion in Kyoto, Japan as an apprentice (Maiko) of Geisha. On the streets of gion visitors may glimpse a Maiko or trainee geisha, making their way along the... |
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Snowcapped Mt Fuji Japan The snowcapped Mt Fuji contrasts against a rollercoaster at the Fuji Q Highland Amusement Park in Fujiyoshida, Japan. At the base of Mount Fuji is Fuji-Q Highlands, home to some of the most modern roller coasters in... |
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Mount Fuji Japan A silhouette of Mt Fuji and the temple in Peace Park in the town of Gotemba in Japan during a cloudless sunset. To the east of Mount Fuji is the town of Gotemba. On a rare, cloudless evening, the temple at the... |
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Akashi Kaikyo Bridge Japan Picture Also known as the Pearl Bridge, the 3,911 metre (overall) long Akashi Kaikyo Bridge was first opened in 1998 and spans the Akashi Strait of Japan. The Akashi Kaikyo Ohashi is the world's longest suspension bridge. The strait that separates Honshu... |
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Japanese Culture Shuri Castle Japan Steeped in Japanese culture and history, it is possible to see the Ryuku Dancers performing at the Shuri Castle in Okinawa, Japan. Shuri Castle in Naha City was for centuries the palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Ryukyu dances were... |
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Notting Hill Festival London England UK A stunning costume worn during the annual Notting Hill Festival held in the city of London, England. Notting Hill Festival is a huge carnival held each year in London. It is a celebration of the... |
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Picture Of A London Wall Mural England A man wonders passed an elaborate wall mural in the city of London, England. A man walks by a mural on the streets of London and seems to be shunned by the character on the... |
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London Carnival England United Kingdom Dressed for the part, a participant enjoys the atmosphere at the the Notting Hill Festival in the city of London, England, UK. Notting Hill Festival is a huge carnival held each year in London. It is a celebration of the... |
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Ferrari Wheel Picture Italy The super clean and shiny wheel and body of a Ferrari car in Italy. Nothing is more Italian than a blood red Ferrari. |
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Hikone Castle Gardens Shige Japan Surrounded by beautiful blooming gardens and trees, the Hikone Castle is found in the Shige Prefecture of Japan. Hikone castle was completed in 1622 by the Ii family who ruled over Hikone as feudal lords until... |
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Edinburgh Festival Performer Scotland Many intriguing sights and performers are found along the streets of Edinburgh during the Festival in Scotland. At Edinburgh Festival the most entertaining performance can often be found not in theatres but out... |
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Itsukushima Shrine Hiroshima Japan The site of the famous Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima Japan, established around the 7th century and given its present form in the 12th century. Itsukushima Shrine and the famous torii gate is a UNESCO world heritage site and one of Japan's... |
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Great Buddha Statue Kamakura Japan Cast in 1252, the Great Buddha statue in Kamakura Japan has stood the test of time including a tsunami which hit Kamakura in 1945. The Daibutsu (Great Buddha) at Kamakura is a bronze statue of Amida Buddha cast in 1252. At 13.35... |
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Picture Of Queens Guard London England The typical uniform of the Queen's Guard in London England, consists of a red tunic and bearskins. A Queen's guard stands silently guarding the Tower of London. |
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St Pauls Cathedral London England UK The famous dome of the St Paul's Cathedral towers above a red telephone box in the city of London, England. A bright red phone box and the St Paul's Cathedral in central London, two British icons side by... |
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