AKAAKA Art Publishing

AKAAKA Art Publishing is a Kyoto-based Japanese publisher founded in 2006 by Kimi Himeno, specialising in photography and art books. The catalogue spans Japanese and international artists, with a consistent focus on the photobook as a considered form rather than a secondary product.

  • Founded May 2006 by Kimi Himeno, Kyoto, Japan
  • More than 200 books published across photography and art
  • Known for photobooks, artist books, and exhibition-linked publications
  • Associated with artists connected to the Kimura Ihei Photo Prize
  • Active in slideshow tours and exhibitions alongside publishing

AKAAKA Art Publishing photobooks and art books

AKAAKA Art Publishing works within a field where the Photobooks it produces are treated not simply as containers for images, but as a serious form in their own right. The catalogue spans Japanese and international artists, with an editorial logic centred on exploring what photography can do when encountered through print — its structure, its sequencing, its material presence.

That editorial consistency gives the publisher a distinct profile. AKAAKA is relevant not only because of individual titles but because of the thread that connects them: photobooks, artist books, exhibition-linked publications, and a sustained attention to the relationship between photographic practice and contemporary visual culture. The result is a catalogue that addresses readers and collectors looking for Japanese photography books with strong conceptual and material identities.

The publisher is also associated with discovery and support. AKAAKA has published more than 200 books and worked with artists connected to the Kimura Ihei Photo Prize. Festival and exhibition materials describe the press as attentive to emerging photographers and contemporary photographic expression — a profile that goes beyond generic art publishing toward something more defined and editorially coherent.

A Japanese publisher focused on photography, artist books, and contemporary visual culture

  • Founded in 2006 by Kimi Himeno — established in Kyoto, Japan, in May 2006, with a focus on photography and art from the outset.
  • Specialises in photography and art books — the catalogue is built around the photobook as a primary form, not a peripheral one.
  • Photobooks, artist books, and exhibition-linked publications — the range connects studio practice, gallery contexts, and the book as an independent object.
  • More than 200 books published — a substantial output maintained with consistent editorial direction across Japanese and international artists.
  • Kimura Ihei Photo Prize connection — AKAAKA has published work by artists associated with one of Japan's most recognised photography awards.
  • Slideshow tours and exhibitions — alongside publishing, AKAAKA organises events that extend the reach of photographers' work beyond the printed page.

About AKAAKA Art Publishing

AKAAKA Art Publishing, Inc. was founded in May 2006 by Kimi Himeno. The publisher is based in Kyoto, Japan. Since its foundation, AKAAKA has built a recognisable identity around photography and art books, treating the photobook as a medium capable of questioning both the nature of photography and the way art is encountered through print.

Alongside publishing, AKAAKA has organised slideshow tours and exhibitions, aiming not only to circulate books but to create a context for photographers' voices. That broader activity — connecting publication with public presentation — helps explain why AKAAKA remains a consistent reference point for readers, collectors, and those following contemporary Japanese photobook culture.

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FAQ

Are these items in stock?

All items shown in this collection are in stock unless marked otherwise. Availability changes as items sell out.

Do you provide condition notes?

Yes. Product pages include clear condition notes where relevant. Visible defects are stated and, when applicable, documented in photos.

How do you pack books?

Packaging is designed to reduce transit risk. Corners and surfaces are protected with rigid support and cushioning. Heavier or collectible items receive additional protection.

Do you ship internationally?

Orders ship from Germany with tracking. International shipping is available for selected destinations. See the Shipping Policy for availability and details.

When will my order ship?

Orders are typically dispatched on the next business day. During peak periods, dispatch may take longer.

Will I receive a tracking number?

Yes. Tracking is provided for all services. The tracking number is shared once the parcel is handed over to the carrier.

Returns and refunds

Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery. Please contact us before sending anything back. Refunds are issued to the original payment method after the return is received and checked. See the Refund Policy.