Just 5 Minutes by Car from Ise Grand Shrine: 'Turn Your Dog into Art.' Popular Photo Studio with 1-Year Wait Launches Dog-Exclusive Brand 'once' on August 8, 2024

Background: A New Challenge Born from 15 Years of History

Founded in 2012, photomar is a fully reservation-only photo studio located on a hilltop surrounded by nature, approximately 700 tsubo (about 2,300 sqm) in size, with a private address. Having photographed over 10,000 families, it has gained widespread support through word-of-mouth, accumulating more than 600 reviews on booking sites. Currently, regular photo sessions are booked up to one year in advance, attracting many repeat customers from within and outside the prefecture. In 2026, marking its 15th anniversary, the company launches 'once' as a new challenge—a dog-exclusive brand.

Throughout years of family photo sessions, the studio has captured countless beloved dogs on camera. During this time, they became deeply moved by dogs’ unpretentious, pure gazes, natural gestures, and unique beauty. This inspired the desire to portray each dog as a portrait that highlights their individuality—just as humans are photographed—becoming the origin of the new brand 'once'.

Not Just 'A Souvenir Photo from Ise,' But 'A Photo That Can Only Be Taken in Ise': Turning Travel Memories with Your Dog into Art

Ise, cherished since the Edo period as a destination for 'Okage Mairi' pilgrimages, has recently gained popularity as a pet-friendly tourist destination. The number of hotels, inns, restaurants, and tourist facilities that welcome dogs is increasing, and it’s no longer uncommon to see travelers walking their dogs around Okage Yokocho.

Responding to this trend, 'once' aims not to be just a photo studio visitors stop by during their trip, but a destination in itself—a reason for dog owners to visit Ise. The studio proposes a new tourism experience: preserving memories of traveling with your dog as art, thereby enhancing the appeal of Ise as a city where people can enjoy time with their pets.

Additionally, a portion of 'once’s' revenue will be donated to organizations engaged in stray dog protection, enabling the studio to contribute to animal welfare through photography.

Staff Message: What We Truly Value

We often hear from families after a photo session: 'I never realized how beautiful my dog really was.'

Because we live with our pets every day, we often overlook their dignified expressions, fur glowing in the sunlight, and their honest, direct gaze. We want to preserve the unique beauty of each dog as a single piece of art. That is the origin of 'ONCE'.

The brand name 'once' carries the meaning of 'a moment that happens only once—a moment that cannot be replaced.'

No matter how precious our daily lives may be, no single moment ever repeats itself exactly. Even the most ordinary days become irreplaceable memories when we look back.

That’s why we strive to carefully capture your dog’s authentic 'now,' delivering photos that, even years later, will make you smile and say, 'Yes, this is exactly how they were.'

We always encourage families to play and spend time with their dogs as they normally would. We are delighted when we can capture, through our lens, as many natural moments of your dog’s true charm as possible during these ordinary interactions.

Cat photography is also available.

【Service Overview】

Plan Name once (Wansu)

Plan Details

Full studio private rental

Photography by professional photographer

Shooting with two different backdrops

Photography props provided

Family photos included

Edited digital data included

Delivery of 50 curated digital images

Same price for up to two dogs

Location

Ise City, Mie Prefecture—5 minutes by car from Ise Grand Shrine Address not publicly disclosed (provided after booking confirmation)

Booking Form

https://forms.gle/8Uxv6J1WgsubBxpSA

Inquiries

For Reservations and Photo Session Inquiries

Please feel free to contact us via direct message on our official Instagram.

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/photomar___ise/

For Media Inquiries and Feature Requests

Email: [email protected] *Please contact us by email for media-related inquiries.

Collaboration with Creators and Influencers

'once' plans to collaborate with creators and influencers who resonate with our brand vision and are willing to share the charm of life with dogs and traveling in Ise.

If you are interested, please feel free to reach out via direct message on our official Instagram.