On July 21st, the sunshine in Wakayama was intensely bright. Standing in front of the Kada Station sign, having just bought cold drinks from a vending machine, we still had beads of sweat on the tips of our noses. Choosing this exact moment today was all about capturing the most authentic midsummer atmospheric feel in our planned shot. Having planned for a while to recreate the scene on-location, my partner and I specifically custom-made these sailor uniforms for the shoot.
We had been excited since the morning, because the location for this sailor uniform location photoshoot was not just any random park, but street scenes that fans of the series would instantly recognize. As a work I deeply love, being able to leave a photo at the actual location gave a feeling completely different from usual studio shoots. By the end of the shoot, even the sunlight shimmering off the sea served as the best reflector; I felt this natural light was more vivid and authentic than any expensive artificial light source.
The entire shooting process took us about three hours. At first, I was worried that the strong outdoor natural light might overexpose our faces, but it turned out the lighting was just right to show off the richest color textures of the dark blue sailor collar and navy pleated skirt. The fabric textures illuminated by the sunlight looked extremely photogenic.
When shooting at the station, the photographer had us recreate iconic poses, such as saluting and waving next to the wooden sign at Kada Station. Since that scene has such an iconic presence in the series, we tried our best to capture the charm of the characters' movements and get close to that vivid energy in our own way. When shooting under the waiting shelter, because the roof was low, the light filtering through the beams created rich layers of light and shadow that fell right on our white long socks, making the leg lines stand out clearly against the darker surroundings. We exchanged knowing glances, naturally showing a very genuine state whenever we laughed.
Right next to today's shooting location was an open stretch of sea. In the afternoon, the sunlight slid down from the mountaintop onto the sea surface, so after a short break, we caught a few more shots. Because I wanted to preserve this raw, natural outdoor feel in the pictures, post-processing was kept to very minor brightness adjustments without excessive skin smoothing or body reshaping. The photographer snapped candid shots quickly; from the wooden benches on the platform to the blue tourist guide map and the weathered blue road signs by the street, every element blended harmoniously into the frame. Almost our entire time playing outdoors was recorded, which was one of the most valuable aspects of this travel shoot.
Cosplay is not just simply putting on a character's clothes and standing in front of the lens; it's more of a medium to express love for a story. When my partner and I stood holding hands next to the vending machine, looking out at the distant mountains and sea, the sense of immersion at that moment was incredibly strong. We weren't intentionally performing, but rather gradually slipped into the sense of everyday bond between the characters through the environment, attire, and natural interactions with each other.
Before leaving Kada Station, we also took some group photos by the poster boards on the roadside. The frame featured many Japanese notice signs and green coastal mountains, all of which served to reinforce this unique summer vibe without exception. Although today was undeniably scorching hot, being able to complete this long-planned Kada pilgrimage location shoot in such sunny weather gave a sense of satisfaction that far outweighed the physical fatigue.
Finally, returning to the guesthouse to organize these photos, I still felt a lingering sense of wanting more. The combination of this sailor uniform with white socks and uniform shoes is indeed well-suited for such bright and refreshing outdoor environments, and the sense of immersion brought by the real filming location is something studio shoots can never match. Today's location shoot was a great success, and all the captured moments have become the most precious summer memories of this Wakayama trip.