{"id":32661,"date":"2026-03-01T17:04:44","date_gmt":"2026-03-01T09:04:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=32661"},"modified":"2026-03-01T17:04:44","modified_gmt":"2026-03-01T09:04:44","slug":"japan-through-the-lens-of-the-iphone-17-pro-max","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=32661","title":{"rendered":"Japan through the lens of the iPhone 17 Pro Max"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Preface<\/h2>\n\n
The iPhone 17 Pro series has the best cameras of any iPhone.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Note: <\/i><\/b>This feature was first published on 4 February 2026.<\/i><\/p>\n
The iPhone 17 Pro series is one of the best iPhones of recent years. A big reason is its improved camera system. The new telephoto is a huge upgrade over last year\u2019s, and the updated photo processing and rendering make photos look more natural. It\u2019s so good that I think I\u2019ll leave my trusty Fujifilm X100VI at home, and rely solely on an iPhone 17 Pro Max to take photos on my holiday to Japan. <\/p>\n
Ah, Japan. I\u2019m a big fan of road trip holidays, and there are few places better to do them in than in the Land of the Rising Sun. I could list the reasons why, but it would fill pages and possibly bust your data cap. The main reason is that it\u2019s incredibly easy to drive there. Like us, they drive on the left, and Japanese road users must surely be one of the most polite and considerate in the world. Navigating is a cinch, too, with Google Maps. <\/p>\n
The purpose of this trip was to explore the less popular regions of Kyushu and Chugoku<\/b>, and to visit a couple of places that were on my bucket list. We begin in Kumamoto.<\/p>\n
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Note:<\/i><\/b> All photos were taken only with the iPhone 17 Pro Max and edited only using the Photo app\u2019s built-in tools. No third-party software or filters were used.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Kumamoto<\/h2>\n\n
The imposing main keep of Kumamoto Castle. Shot with main camera at 1x.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Kumamoto is the largest city of Kumamoto prefecture and is about a 90-minute drive south of Fukuoka. Because we flew in on a red-eye flight, it makes sense to make Kumamoto the first stop, since by the time we got there, the shops and attractions would have opened. Speaking of attractions, the main ones that I\u2019m here to see are Kumamoto Castle and Suizenji Park. <\/p>\n\n
The iPhone 17 Pro\u2019s improved telephoto camera delivers impressive results in good light. Shot with telephoto camera at 8x.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Kumamoto Castle is considered to be one of the three premier castles of Japan \u2013 the other two being Himeji Castle and Matsumoto Castle. However, it is the only one of the three that isn\u2019t an original castle. In other words, the main keep (tenshu) is a reconstruction. The main keep was destroyed during the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877, and the current keep is a concrete reconstruction built in 1960. However, there\u2019s no denying its grandeur. The castle grounds are expansive, and the main keep is imposing, mainly because of its sheer size and black exterior. Like many reconstructed castles around Japan, inside you\u2019ll find a museum that showcases the history of the castle and the city around it. <\/p>\n\n
Statue of Zoro. Shot with ultra-wide camera.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
If you are in Kumamoto, the castle is not to be missed. However, being a reconstruction, the main keep lacks the charm of its peers, Himeji and Matsumoto. Still, the grounds make for a nice walk, and it\u2019s interesting to learn about how the castle was strategically designed to withstand attacks. One thing worth noting is that the exhibits in the castle are almost exclusively in Japanese.<\/p>\n\n
Overlooking the main pond of Suizenji Garden. Shot with main camera at 1x.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
Because Kyushu is warmer, even though it was early December, most of the trees still had leaves on them. Shot with main camera at 2x.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Suizenji Park was built by Hosokawa Tadatoshi in the 1630s. The Hosokawa family ruled over Kumamoto for over 200 years. In the middle is a large pond that is said to be fed by spring waters from nearby Mount Aso. And to the north is Izumi Shrine, a shrine devoted to the Hosokawa family. Another highlight of the garden is an artificial hill said to be modelled after Mount Fuji.<\/p>\n
The garden is especially scenic, and its sprawling grounds mean it isn\u2019t crowded even if it is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Kumamoto. If you are only spending a day in Kumamoto, I\u2019d recommend coming here after heading to Kumamoto Castle in the morning.<\/p>\n
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Travel tip for Kumamoto:<\/i><\/b> One interesting about Kumamoto is that there are 10 statues of One Piece characters scattered throughout the prefecture. That\u2019s because its creator, Eiichiro Oda, was born in Kumamoto. These statues are part of an initiative to help attract tourists after the Kumamoto earthquake of 2016. <\/i>Here are the locations of all 10 statues<\/i>.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Mount Aso<\/h2>\n\n
A viewpoint near Mount Aso overlooking the plains of Kumamoto. Shot with telephoto camera at 4x.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
About 80 minutes from Kumamoto city is Aso Caldera, which is part of the larger Aso-Kuju National Park. This is an extremely beautiful area, and in some ways reminds me of the Fujikawaguchiko area near Mount Fuji. You\u2019ll definitely need a car to make the most of your time here. And even then, because the area itself is so vast, and the roads are narrow and twisty and filled with elevation changes, you\u2019ll need a couple of days if you want to hit all the main spots.<\/p>\n\n
One of the geographical features of Mount Aso is Komezuka, a small volcanic cone. Shot with main camera at 2x.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
In the distance is Mount Neko, one of the five peaks of Mount Aso. Shot with main camera at 1x.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Kusasenrigahama is a large grassy plain at the top of Mount Aso and is not to be missed. There is a large car park with restaurants and a museum, which makes it the ideal starting point for a day at the top of Mount Aso. After Kusasenrigahama, make your way to the Nakadake crater, which is a 10-minute drive away. Nakadake is an active crater, so it continuously spews smoke into the air. Because it is active, the crater can be closed depending on the amount of volcanic activity, so check this website to see if it\u2019s open. Other areas around Mount Aso that are worth visiting are Daikanbo (Great View Point), Shiroyama Scenic Overlook (the cafe serves fantastic karaage), and the Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine. <\/p>\n
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Travel tip for Mount Aso: <\/i><\/b>This region is best experienced over a couple of days. There are numerous viewpoints around the area and each of them offers different views. Furthermore, bad weather can obscure your view of Mount Aso. Finally, the roads are winding and changes elevation dramatically, which can be tiring for inexperienced drivers.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Takachiho<\/h2>\n
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Takachiho Gorge. Shot with main camera at 2x.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Takachiho Gorge. Shot with main camera at 1x.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Having seen photos of the gorge online, I decided I\u2019d spend a day and make the hour\u2019s drive to Takachiho in the neighbouring Miyazaki prefecture. The gorge was very pretty, and the legends surrounding the area are fascinating, but it was also somewhat underwhelming. I think it could be because the place was filled with tour groups, and the actual gorge itself is actually not that big. Since there were available slots, I did the touristy thing and rented a rowing boat. <\/p>\n\n
You can rent a boat to explore the gorge more closely. Shot with main camera at 2x.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
I\u2019d say that only come to Takachiho if you are going to be making your way further south to Miyazaki. It\u2019s a picturesque place, but I\u2019m not entirely convinced that the drive is worth the trouble unless you have other places you want to visit in the area.<\/p>\n
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Travel tip for Takachiho: <\/i><\/b>It\u2019s easier to get to Takachiho from Mount Aso than Miyazaki city. And if you are making a day trip from Mount Aso, make the best use of your time by visiting the nearby Amanoiwato Shrine, a shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu. The shrine is located in a cave where Amaterasu is said to have hid herself.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
If you are in Hiroshima, you must visit the Hiroshima Peace Museum and see the Atomic Dome. Shot with main camera at 1x.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
From Aso, I needed to make my way nearly 500km north to Matsue in Shimane prefecture. To break the trip up, I stopped at Hiroshima. Tragically, the city is most famous for being the first-ever military target of a nuclear bomb. That incident also played a huge role in shaping Hiroshima into the city that it is today.<\/p>\n
Unquestionably, the must-visit attraction of this city is the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the surrounding areas. The museum is dedicated to the bombing of the city, and inside you\u2019ll find accounts, photos, and various artefacts from victims and survivors that depict the horrors of the incident. Walking through the exhibits, it\u2019s impossible to not feel a deep sense of sadness at the damage and suffering the bomb caused. After the museum, make your way north to see the iconic Atomic Bomb Dome \u2013 one of the few buildings in the city that survived the impact of the bomb.<\/p>\n\n
Apart from rabbits, \u014ckunoshima offers great views of the Seto Inland Sea. Shot with telephoto camera at 4x.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Before heading further north to Matsue, I made a detour to \u014ckunoshima, a little island in the Seto Inland Sea. Like Hiroshima, \u014ckunoshima has a war history. After the First World War, facilities were built on the island to develop and manufacture chemical weapons. Though these facilities were decommissioned after the Second World War, a number of these buildings still stand today. <\/p>\n
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\u014ckunoshima gets its name from these furry and friendly critters. Taken with main camera at 2x.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The telephoto camera lets you take shots without startling animals. Taken with telephoto camera at 4x.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
But I didn\u2019t come here to see these buildings. I came here to see rabbits. Yes, those little critters with floppy ears. The island is presently home to a large population of rabbits, which is also why it\u2019s more commonly known by its other name, \u201cRabbit Island\u201d. It is unclear how these rabbits arrive, but there must be hundreds of them. They are exceedingly friendly and will follow you and beg for food. But even if rabbits and abandoned war facilities are not your jam, the island offers breathtaking views of the Seto Inland Sea.<\/p>\n
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Travel tip for Hiroshima & \u014ckunoshima: <\/i><\/b>Hiroshima is famous for its okonomiyaki, which is done differently from Osaka. In Hiroshima, the ingredients are layered, which results in a crispier dish. As for \u014ckunoshima, if you decide you want to feed the rabbits, be sure to buy as much treats as possible from the shop at the Tadanoumi ferry terminal. You cannot buy any treats on the island itself.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Matsue<\/h2>\n\n
I\u2019ve been to many castles in Japan, and Matsue Castle ranks as one of the best. Shot with main camera at 1x.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Matsue lies in Shimane prefecture, which is one of the least populous prefectures in the whole of Japan. It\u2019s about 3 hours north of Hiroshima by car, and indeed, the cities of Shimane have a very laid-back and unhurried vibe about them. Here, you will hardly see any foreign tourists. I came here to see Matsue Castle, one of just 12 castles in Japan to have the main keep in its original form, which is also to say the building is over 400 years old. <\/p>\n\n
Overlooking Matsue is nearby Mount Daisen, which resembles Mount Fuji when viewed from the west (where Matsue is). Shot with telephoto camera at 8x.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Like most castles with their original keeps still intact, you\u2019ll have to remove your shoes to enter. In winter, it can be cold, so be sure to wear thick socks. Matsue Castle has a sizable keep and features numerous innovations in castle construction. One interesting thing about it is that it looks like it is five stories tall, but it actually has six levels inside. Additionally, it employs numerous design elements that make it especially hard to invade. If you are fascinated by Japan\u2019s history, I can thoroughly recommend visiting Matsue Castle. It\u2019s one of the best castles I\u2019ve visited.<\/p>\n
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Travel tip for Matsue:<\/i><\/b> If you are into civil engineering and architecture, the nearby <\/i>Eshima Ohashi bridge<\/i> is not to be missed. And if you don\u2019t mind a bit of a drive, <\/i>Izumo Shrine<\/i>, which is often regarded to be the oldest shrine in Japan, is only about an hour away.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Fukuoka<\/h2>\n\n
Nanzoin is home to the world\u2019s largest reclining bronze statue and is considerably quieter than the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. Shot with main camera at 1x.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
My trip ended back in Fukuoka. Like the big cities of Tokyo and Osaka, Fukuoka was mad crowded. The main shopping district of Tenjin and Hakata were filled with throngs of tourists, and it was hard to move around in the malls. This was true too, even at popular tourist spots outside of Fukuoka, like the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, which is about 30km south of the centre of Fukuoka. <\/p>\n
To escape from the crowds, I headed to Nanzoin, a Buddhist temple that is home to the world\u2019s largest reclining bronze Buddha statue. Furthermore, I\u2019ve heard that tour groups needed to seek permission in advance before they can visit. I reckon this would mean smaller crowds, and I was right. Nanzoin only had scattered groups of visitors, which made the visit so much more pleasant.<\/p>\n\n
The approach to Ukiha Inari Shrine is lined with numerous torii gates. Shot with main camera at 1x.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
One of my last stops on this trip was the Ukiha Inari Shrine, which is about an hour away from Fukuoka. Inari shrines are a dime a dozen in Japan, but Ukiha is worth a visit because of how beautiful it is. Nestled in the side of a mountain, the approach to the Ukiha shrine is a long flight of stairs lined with the distinctive red torii gates that are synonymous with Inari shrines. Once you reach the top, you are rewarded with stunning views of the plains of Ukiha. <\/p>\n
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Travel tip for Fukuoka: <\/i><\/b>The city is said to be the birthplace of tonkotsu ramen and motsunabe, so be sure to try them. And if you like shopping and night life, you\u2019ll want to stay in the Tenjin district, which is more \u201chappening\u201d than Hakata.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Closing thoughts<\/h2>\n\n
Mount Eboshi on top of Mount Aso. You can get a sense of how huge Aso is by the size of the two individuals in the foreground at the bottom right. Shot with main camera at 2x.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
My little experiment left me feeling conflicted. I\u2019ll explain why later, but let\u2019s talk about what\u2019s good about the iPhone 17 Pro Max first.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no denying that shooting with the iPhone 17 Pro Max alone was extremely convenient. The X100VI is a compact camera, but it\u2019s still something that you have to carry around. Relying only on your phone to take photos feels so liberating<\/b>. Furthermore, with some light editing, it\u2019s possible to get the photos to look good.<\/p>\n\n
The X100VI lives up to its hype, and then some.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Another plus point is that the iPhone has multiple cameras, which lets you shoot at different focal lengths. This is extremely helpful because I found that I often shoot with the 4x camera while I\u2019m travelling \u2013 just look at the photos here. The X100VI is a fixed lens camera that only shoots at 35mm. It may have a digital zoom function, but even then, it simply doesn\u2019t have the flexibility of the iPhone 17 Pro Max. <\/p>\n
The X100VI counters with its excellent controls and fantastic image quality. It\u2019s so fun to turn the dials to get your shot, and the out-of-camera JPEGs are remarkably beautiful. The iPhone takes good photos, but there\u2019s something about the photos that you get with a larger sensor that makes it look sweeter<\/b>. Also, the X100VI\u2019s various \u201cfilm simulations\u201d are so much fun to experiment with, too. <\/p>\n\n
As far as phones go, the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Pro take fantastic photos.<\/p>\n
Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Which is why I feel conflicted. On the one hand, this experiment shows that the iPhone 17 Pro Max is a supremely capable camera phone<\/b>. If I didn\u2019t have my X100VI, I\u2019d be perfectly happy shooting with it on my travels. But it also showed me that the X100Vi is a very special camera, and a part of me feels a tinge of regret that I didn\u2019t bring it on this trip. So where does this leave us? <\/p>\n
If you already own an iPhone from the iPhone 17 series, there\u2019s no need to go buy a standalone camera just so you can take photos on your travels. With a bit of practice, it\u2019s entirely possible to take great photos with just your iPhone. But if you are already in the camera game and own a great camera, take it with you and shoot with it as much as possible. One day, you\u2019ll look back on those photos and realise that it was all worth it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
![\"iPhone](\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/0c2a6a82137c90be33aebc932b79dc03ee67b3215b9a69fa1f23438cc0af8f16?w=1000&q=85\")
![\"Kumamoto](\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/f52100cf5b0d57763ce3a392e925d963328ca2cd44b151a9845102a7ec0eebfb?w=1000&q=85\")
![\"Kumamoto](\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/ca06013c306e77f740c87cdd933701bbb252263e51c4d109dd3ab2185c8d57ff?w=1000&q=85\")
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![\"Aso](\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/8e4d40ceac561ae631195f2bed09d31308aad2c35eb010ecff2c8de28b2497af?w=1000&q=85\")
![\"Komezuka](\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/35d0875aa8a853ab3013fe49579bfb7955f7dd553361f7ed27920b6caa818211?w=1000&q=85\")
![\"Mount](\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/d8a7a213a9eec61d6ddb8d6f578d9791a1f4cf97543fd076c443228496051390?w=1000&q=85\")
![\"Takachiho](\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/9eea3e103db786391600f84b600e2f40d3ec54c60bdde76362a8d1ce37057f3c?w=500&q=85\")
<\/p>\n\n![\"Takachiho](\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/b4f681c9710d40eca07376a879e94b79ba99cbaf74d471a6a99faa76a3023f15?w=500&q=85\")
<\/p>\n\n![\"Takachiho](\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/dc55c69184a51119bf2670a6ac9ee17927a8e4c0129b409553306f53239ffc78?w=1000&q=85\")
![\"Hiroshima](\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/39cbc763b8c36c5b662ec712c88999d25c7072cd8b3498599bf0dd986ca1497f?w=1000&q=85\")
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![\"\u014ckunoshima](\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/4a2abf069ffe000c5e15f76db8a9cf6d371adf3ffd7d26ae5ad02612f3416ded?w=500&q=85\")
<\/p>\n\n![\"\u014ckunoshima](\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/11aad8e94db8c35b17be61eede4bddc49cd20a4c04ce0906b0cf1516793bbf72?w=500&q=85\")
<\/p>\n\n![\"Matsue](\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/912bdbab519902217d206bad3dc8671b568bdf9463aa843dce157db75e963a7f?w=1000&q=85\")
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![\"Mount](\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/08f24cc099a5526b44103c051291c6c08cd7144e27e33d191cc12f5303f8ef0d?w=1000&q=85\")
![\"Fujifilm](\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/f47d8e17d335f2f9825f7c28dbd6fff175ec6b4d4f91a7acf8af3e624ac37fef?w=1000&q=85\")
![\"iPhone](\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/fb0342a380852b0e6e6f416564ba6d59ad745136f15e4af9c36ffc9b0a35d421?w=1000&q=85\")