Japanese freelance photographer Kito Fujio has recently captured a series of photos of the many interesting cement-molded play equipment around Japan. Fujio’s dramatic lighting process transforms the seemingly harmless equipment into a whimsical world of animals, monuments, magical creatures, robots, gadgets, and beasts.

The nostalgic cement molds have been ubiquitous throughout Japan and, for the most part, free of safety concerns. That’s because the cement requires almost no maintenance; maybe just a fresh coat of paint every few years. The sculptural cement equipment was a style favored by Isamu Noguchi, who designed his first landscape for children in 1933.

Fujio has made his photographs available as part of a series of photobooks (each priced at 800 yen) that he sells on his website.

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Credit: Kito Fujio

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Playgrounds come alive at night!

– SUPER EDITION STUDIO