Satoshi Hashimoto Illustrates Regional Japan for ANCHOR Magazine
Japanese illustrator Satoshi Hashimoto has created an ongoing series of covers for ANCHOR, a Japanese insurance company publication issued every two months.
Each cover brings together three regions of Japan. Local branches recommend foods, landmarks and scenic places from their area. Satoshi then turns those recommendations into individual illustrations for the cover.
Many of the subjects are highly local. Satoshi points out that some may be unfamiliar even to Japanese readers from other parts of the country. The series therefore works as a small tour of regional Japan, one issue at a time.
From Toyama to Yamaguchi
The places cover a considerable stretch of the country.
In Toyama, Satoshi illustrates Amaharashi Coast in Takaoka, looking across Toyama Bay towards the Tateyama mountains. Further north, Aomori and Iwate appear with regional foods including wanko soba.
The journey continues through Sendai and Miyagi, Yamagata, Tokyo, Okayama, Gifu, Osaka, Hiroshima and Yamaguchi.
Some references get very specific. Shinbashi in Tokyo appears through a local eating and drinking spot. Yōrō Falls in Gifu provides another destination. In Osaka, Satoshi visits Hōzenji Temple in Namba and its well-known Mizukake Fudōson statue.
The San’in region also appears. This stretch of western Japan along the Sea of Japan includes Tottori and Shimane, with matsuba-gani snow crab among its regional specialties.
Yamaguchi brings fugu. Other covers introduce corn, soba, salmon roe, chicken and regional dishes selected by the branches themselves.
About ANCHOR
ANCHOR is a Japanese insurance industry members’ publication connected with the MetLife agency network. Its editorial content covers company activity, seminars, training, products and regional business news.
Satoshi’s covers give that material a second geographical layer. Across the series, readers encounter large cities, small destinations and foods tied closely to individual prefectures.
It makes for a well-covered journey around Japan.
About Satoshi Hashimoto
Satoshi is a Japanese illustrator represented by Dutch Uncle. His work combines character-led illustration, graphic composition and clear visual storytelling for editorial, publishing and commercial commissions.
