Initially drawn to Australia by a one-year working holiday that quietly became a fulfilling life, Yusuke Sato’s journey from Tokyo to Naarm (Melbourne) has unfolded over more than two decades of learning, belonging and making. What was meant to be temporary has grown into a family and an independent freelance career shaped by creative freedom.

Tokyo remains close to his heart – its energy, sociability and food culture, where simplicity and craftsmanship meet across everything from street stalls to fine dining. That sensibility carries through Yusuke’s work today, informed by Japanese cultural values of patience, restraint and meticulous attention to detail.

Food, to Yusuke, is a connector – an expression of respect and hospitality. Over the years, he has been commissioned to photograph restaurants and beverage brands, with a career highlight being his work with Nobu Matsuhisa on a cookbook project – an experience he hopes to return to.

Yusuke hopes to see fairer opportunities across Australia’s media and creative industries, particularly for people from different cultural and language backgrounds. He believes creative work should be judged on quality rather than connections, with greater respect for process, culture and stories told from many perspectives.