Hikaru Utada's Science Fiction Tour 2024 Nine Stories Photobook Now Available Worldwide

TOKYO, JAPAN – The highly anticipated photobook NINE STORIES, capturing Hikaru Utada's SCIENCE FICTION TOUR 2024 — their first tour in six years — through the lenses of nine photographers, is now out worldwide in celebration of the 25th anniversary since the J-pop superstar's debut.

Each photographer captures one of the nine cities visited on Utada's tour, weaving together a rich visual tapestry of live performance and musical expression, some of which were shared through the official Hikaru Utada STAFF Instagram account during the 2024 jaunt. The esteemed photographers taking part in the project — Kazuhei Kimura, Chikashi Suzuki, Mayumi Hosokura, Rinko Kawauchi, Daido Moriyama, John Yuyi, Wing Shya, Takashi Homma, and Rika Noguch i— offer their unique perspectives through a diverse range of creative themes, including "Observation," "Fragments (Part of)," "Physicality," "Radiance," "Relationships," "Self-Projection," "Kaleidoscope," "Simultaneity," and "Presence." Their work captures the tour's dynamic energy and emotional depth, presenting a vivid image narrative of Utada's musical journey.

Purchase Links:
HIKARU UTADA Official Store: https://store.hikaruutada-tour-official.com/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.jp/b?node=204649410051
New Gallery Store (Japan Only): https://newgallery-tokyo.com/store/ninestories

■Overview of “NINE STORIES”

In celebration of their 25th anniversary and their first nationwide tour in six years, SCIENCE FICTION TOUR 2024, Hikaru Utada embarks on a groundbreaking project to capture the essence of their journey through the eyes of nine acclaimed photographers. The project aims to preserve this moment in time through a photobook, and as a lasting document of their legacy for future generations.

Named after the collection of short stories by American author J.D. Salinger, NINE STORIES takes inspiration from the depth and richness of storytelling. The contributing photographers — Kazuhei Kimura, Chikashi Suzuki, Mayumi Hosokura, Rinko Kawauchi, Daido Moriyama, John Yuyi, Wing Shya, Takashi Homma, and Rika Noguchi — each offer their unique perspectives on Utada's performances in nine cities, capturing their artistry in a way that has never been seen before.

This collaboration with some of the world's most esteemed photographers brings to life a new form of live performance photography and photobook creation, showcasing the unparalleled connection between Utada and their audience. The project ensures that Hikaru Utada's musical legacy and their impact as an artist will live on for generations to come, immortalized through the lens of these photographers for not just five years, fifty years, or one hundred years—but for eternity.

Nine Perspectives

• Fukuoka: Kazuhei Kimura - "Observation"
  
• Aichi: Chikashi Suzuki - "Fragments (Part of)"
  
• Saitama: Mayumi Hosokura - "Physicality"
  
• Miyagi: Rinko Kawauchi - "Radiance"
  
• Tokyo: Daido Moriyama - "Relationships"
  
• Taipei: John Yuyi - "Self-Projection"
  
• Hong Kong: Wing Shya - "Kaleidoscope"
  
• Osaka: Takashi Homma - "Simultaneity"
  
• Kanagawa: Rika Noguchi - "Presence
  

■Photo Book Details:
Title: HIKARU UTADA SCIENCE FICTION TOUR 2024 NINE STORIES
Photographers: Kazuhei Kimura, Chikashi Suzuki, Mayumi Hosokura, Rinko Kawauchi, Daido Moriyama, John Yuyi, Wing Shya, Takashi Homma, and Rika Noguchi
Publisher: New Gallery (Sony Music Entertainment Japan)
Release Date: March 21, 2025
Formats:
Box Set: 9 volumes (B5 size, 48 pages each), housed in a lenticular box, priced at ¥15,000 (incl. tax).
Individual Volumes: B5 size, 48 pages, ¥2,200 each (incl. tax).