I really love Iron Town

Muroran City, Hokkaido

Quoted from @kobateck's post

A spectacular view reminiscent of something from a game. Many people were overwhelmed by the photo of the fantastical factory scenery on social media, with comments such as "What a wonderful view...", "So cool!" and "I just can't stop looking at it."

Photographer Kobayashi captures "another world close to home"

The person who posted this photo is photographer Kobayashi Tetsuro, who specializes in "familiar other worlds" such as factory scenes, alleyways, ruins, and gigantic buildings. He photographs factory scenes all over the country, but his favorite thing about Muroran is that he can take pictures of steelworks from various locations in the city, such as Sokuryoyama, the Wanishi district, and Shiomi Park. In addition to photographing the factories themselves, he says he enjoys walking around Muroran, saying, "It's also fun to take photos while walking around the town, which has a unique atmosphere as a town of steel."

Recently, Kobayashi-san has been taking pictures of not only factories but also "cityscapes with cats." Muroran has a lot of cats, so there are endless photo opportunities. The contrast between the rugged impression of the factories and the soft appearance of the cats is also one of the charms of Muroran.

There will also be events where you can experience the fun of walking around Muroran and photographing factories.

Kobayashi not only takes his own photos, but also teaches photography techniques and how to create buzz on social media. At the annual event "Totari Fes in Muroran" held in Muroran, there are also valuable workshops where you can take photos of factories and walk around the city. This year, why not take a walk around the "town of steel" with a camera in hand and experience new charms?

Tetsuro Kobayashi

Born in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture in 1978, he currently lives in Amagasaki. A photographer who takes photos of familiar otherworldly scenes such as factory scenes, scenes with cats, alleyways, ruins, and huge buildings. He has written many books, including "Orune: Alley Cat Search Book" and "Giant Factory Exploration Guide." He updates his cat photos every day on X. He is an Amagasaki cultural tourism advisor.

■X: @kobateck