'Observing the Universe reveals how small yet precious we are'

By day, Takanobu Kurosaki runs a traditional bathhouse in Japan with his mother. By night, taking advantage of rare clear skies over his hometown, he takes photographs of the cosmos.

Takanobu wasn’t always an astrophotographer: his main passion was underwater photography, which he explored whilst scuba diving and photographing in oceans worldwide.

In 2009, learning to walk again after a serious motorbike accident, Takanobu realised the wonder of everyday life. In doing so, he turned his lens towards the night sky.  

Takanobu was Runner-up in ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2025’s People and Space category with his image Rotation.

Learn more about Takanobu's journey through hometown fatigue, scuba diving, loss, new perspectives, and landscape astrophotography. He also discusses the five-year wait for the right conditions for Rotation, his connection to the Ferris wheel, and the symbolism behind the photograph. 

Tell us about yourself and your journey in photography

I take astrophotographs in my hometown of Toyama in Japan, but I wasn't always interested in astrophotography.

When I was in my 20s, I disliked Toyama. My family runs a public bathhouse that's been in business for 100 years, and I grew up watching them work without any days off.  

I felt Toyama was ordinary and unexciting. In winter, with the snow falling constantly, it felt like a lonely place - I just wanted to escape.  

So, I became a scuba diving instructor. I went diving in the Southern Islands and took underwater photos, a complete contrast to Toyama. For eight years, as an instructor and underwater photographer, I dived and photographed in oceans all over the world.  

However, in 2000 my father passed away, and I had to return to Toyama to take over the family business. I didn't even have the energy to take pictures. That was my first setback. 

Then, in 2009, a serious motorcycle accident became my second setback. I was hospitalised for a year and underwent five surgeries during that time. The doctor told me, "Your job is to walk." I'd sneak out of the hospital, dragging my leg in a cast, and walk with all my might.  

I suddenly felt how wonderful an ordinary life was. I just wished to return to my normal routine, to have a healthy body again.

I slowly continued to walk. Then, I started seeing things I had never noticed before. The flowers blooming by the roadside, the chirping of small birds... everything felt beautiful.

That's when I picked up my camera and started taking pictures with passion. The camera gave my dark heart a ray of light. I started photographing landscapes, festivals and fireworks.

When I was taking underwater photos, I used a film camera. But when I got a digital camera, high-sensitivity shooting became possible and I became completely absorbed in the fun of skyscape photography.

What is your personal style of astrophotography?

I don't just photograph celestial objects by themselves, I capture them together with the landscape. This is because I feel that celestial bodies are as precious as jewels.  

Just as a jewel enhances the person wearing it, the heavens make the earthly scenery appear even more breathtakingly beautiful.

That's why I carefully choose my shooting locations, taking into account the season and the time of day when that particular spot shines the brightest. 

What are your favourite astrophotography targets? 

It varies: there are times when I spend years preparing for a piece, but often I'll head out to shoot on the spur of the moment.  

Astrophotography truly is a battle with the weather. In Toyama, heavy snow continues through the severe winter. Even in other seasons there aren’t many clear days. So, I only get about 20 days a year to photograph the stars. 

However, that's precisely why the moments I spend looking at the sky within those limited opportunities are an irreplaceable joy. 

Why did you decide to submit your image to 2025's ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition?

I've been challenging myself with entering Astronomy Photographer of the Year since 2012, and I've been fortunate enough to be shortlisted five times so far: in 2020, 2022, 2023 and twice in 2025. 

Participating in this, the most prestigious contest in the world, is a valuable opportunity for me. 

How does astrophotography make you feel?

Observing and photographing the Universe teaches us how small we are, yet how precious our existence is.  

In the vastness of space, our daily lives here on Earth might sometimes feel monotonous. But by looking at our world from a cosmic perspective, we can rediscover the beauty hidden in the everyday and recognise the miracle of life.  

Capturing the movements of celestial bodies and the laws of nature helps us truly feel the flow of time and the universal truth that everything is cyclical. This gives us hope, reminding us that life's challenges are just part of a larger journey, always leading forward. 

What was the reaction to your photo? 

The amusement park officials were astonished! They said, 'We never imagined this Ferris wheel could look so magnificent!’ 

What advice would you give to people interested in astrophotography?

Skyscapes exist within your everyday life. They are a world that can only be captured through your unique perspective. 

You don’t need a powerful telescope when shooting skyscapes. Your everyday camera and lens, plus a tripod, are all you need. What's most important is the image you envision. 

Follow Takanobu on Instagram.