On 22 June, KEK held the KEK Photowalk 2025. With cameras in hand, both professional and amateur photographers gathered at the KEK Tsukuba campus, stepping into the core of cutting-edge scientific research and capturing unique moments from this realm of advanced science.
The main subject of this photo walk was the SuperKEKB, that is Japan’s largest particle accelerator and boasts the world’s highest collision performance. This massive apparatus is installed in a tunnel approximately 11 meters underground. Photography enthusiasts selected from among many applicants were granted access to the tunnel, where they freely captured images of the impressive facility through their own unique perspectives.
The event took place in four separate sessions—two in the morning and two in the afternoon—with a small group of participants rotating during each time slot. Each session lasted 45 minutes. Despite the brief duration, participants skillfully focused on the intricate arrangement of machinery, the maze-like networks of pipes and cables, and the sheer scale of the technology at work—highlighting the artistry found within advanced science.
This photo walk was part of the Global Physics Photowalk(link: https://www.interactions.org/global-physics-photowalk-2025) , a worldwide collaborative event featuring 15 leading research institutions. Participants will submit their photographs to KEK by early July, after which three standout images will be selected to represent the institute. These chosen photos will go on to compete in a global online vote, showcased alongside entries from laboratories around the world.
Which image will rise to the top as the most compelling portrait of a scientific facility? Please stay tuned for the upcoming results.
Participants shared their excitement about the rare opportunity to explore areas normally off-limits to the public. Many were struck by the contrast between the accelerator’s massive scale and the need for extremely delicate adjustments, describing the environment as bold and precise. Others expressed a renewed appreciation for KEK, pointing out that the experience helped them realize how extraordinary the work being undertaken is.
KEK will stay tuned for more opportunities to explore the unseen world of physics.