Maastricht through the eyes of local and photographer Tetsuro
Maastricht, with its old city centre and surrounding nature, is a true paradise for photographers. Portrait photographer Tetsuro Miyazaki studied in Maastricht and lives in the Biesland district. He likes the unhurried rhythm of life in the south. He enjoys walking around the city with his camera, visiting unusual shops. As a photographer, he mainly captures people on camera, but he also appreciates the city's photogenic spots. Join us to visit his favourite highlights.
Meet Tetsuro
Tetsuro grew up in Brussels and went to study in Maastricht when he was 18. After his studies, he lived in Amsterdam for 13 years, but returned regularly. During a carnival in Maastricht, he met his wife at the Take Five. After the birth of their first child, they settled Maastricht. Tetsuro held various positions at communication agencies and increasingly specialised in photography over the years. As an independent photographer, he did several projects, such as 'Hafu2Hafu' in which he photographed 150 people who have one Japanese and one non-Japanese parent. During the corona period, he made a photo series of people in their homes called 'Safe behind glass'. Missing the contact with colleagues as a self-employed person, the father of two now also works as a concept developer, copywriter and photographer at Zuiderlicht in Maastricht.
Tetsuro in 5 words: father, photographer, sporty, half-Japanese, creative.
Bosch Brewery
During Museum Night 2022, Tetsuro discovered the historic Bosch Brewery. Between 1758 and 1970, the brewery was one of Maastricht's largest. Large-scale brewing was shut down in 1970, but small-scale beers are now being produced again. Tetsuro was pleasantly surprised during his first visit. 'You can't see from the outside how big this place is. You can take guided tours and taste a beer afterwards. The building has been renovated really nicely. Many volunteers dedicate themselves to telling the story of the brewery. This hidden gem is also a nice place for people who have seen the rest of Maastricht many times before.'
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Bosch Brewery
Bosch Brewery
Visit this industrial national monument with a guided tour followed by a beer tasting. More info on Bosch Brewery
Take Five
In his student days, Tetsuro worked at the café Take Five, where he immersed himself in Maastricht culture. 'Many interesting people came to Take Five with whom I had fun evenings. The owner taught me what hospitality in the hospitality industry means. For example, if someone ordered a second cup of coffee, we gave a different biscuit than with the first cup. It's the little things that matter. I learnt a lot from that for bigger things in life.' Take Five is known for its music; from the boxes sounds easy going jazz and other quality music. 'I also like to take a look at Traders Pop next door,' tips Tetsuro. 'This concept store is one of the nicest in Maastricht.' Whether you're looking for artistic postcards, special magazines or vintage clothes. The shop offers it all.
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Take Five
Take Five
Cosy bar in the centre of Maastricht with laid-back music and an all-black interior. More info on Take Five
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Muchachas & Traders Pop
Muchachas & Traders Pop
Muchachas and Traders Pop in Maastricht are two boutiques that together offer a great shopping experience. Muchachas has a beautiful collection of women's fashion, accessories and shoes, with a focus on stylish, modern pieces. More info on Muchachas & Traders Pop
Photo Rembrandt
As a photographer, where should you be in Maastricht to buy photographic equipment? According to Testuro, at Foto Rembrandt. 'This shop has been around for a hundred years and is one of the few independent photo shops. When many photo shops closed their doors, they bravely carried on. You could still buy photo rolls there for a very long time.' The shop's success is probably partly due to the customer-friendliness of the staff. 'The service here is good. The staff are very knowledgeable and think along nicely about what you need. I am very happy with this piece of craftsmanship.' You can buy both new and second-hand cameras and accessories at Foto Rembrandt. 'When I'm in the neighbourhood I always take a look in the window to see if there's a nice old lens.'
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Photo Rembrandt
Photo Rembrandt
Family-run business offering a wide range of digital and analogue photography. More about Foto Rembrandt
Amazing Oriental
Whenever Tetsuro cooks, his preference is always for Asian dishes, or at least Asian-inspired. He does his shopping at Amazing Oriental, an Asian supermarket in Mosae Forum shopping centre. 'The range is very extensive. You can find specialist ingredients and bulk packs of products they don't have at Albert Heijn or only in miniature.' Even if you are not so at home in Asian cuisine, a visit to the shop is highly recommended. Get inspired by the colourful packaging and fragrant ingredients and experiment - with a little help from Google - in your own kitchen.
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Amazing Oriental
Amazing Oriental
Amazing Oriental specialises in Asian, tropical and exotic products. The range consists of more than 7,000 items from all over the world! More about Amazing Oriental
De Krul
Another tip from Tetsuro is'de Krul' near Frontensingel, a remnant of the old Noorderbrug. 'Whenever I happen to pass by it, it always strikes me what a special object it is. It's very surprising to suddenly see such a piece of bridge in the middle of the city.' You can view the concrete structure decorated with murals from the street, but as a pedestrian, you can also go up. 'At the top, you have a nice view of the Frontenpark and the Sphinx Quarter,' says the photographer.
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De Krul
De Krul
De Krul is part of the old Noorderbrug that has remained as a memento and lookout point. De Krul is located on the edge of the Frontenkwartier and can be freely entered by pedestrians. More info on De Krul
Mount Saint Peter
For a nice walk, Tetsuro goes to St Peter's Mountain in the south of the city. There, he prefers to walk through the ENCI quarry. From 1926 to 2018, limestone was mined here for cement production. Today, it is a special nature reserve. Tetsuro's favourite spot is the viewpoint above the quarry. 'I find it very interesting to photograph the shades of blue of the small lake in the middle of the quarry. The colour of the water is insane and ever-changing.' He is also enthusiastic about the former cement factory. 'If David Lynch had made Twin Peaks in the Netherlands, he would have done it here. It is so grand and the old-fashioned industrial architecture of the building is fascinating.'
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Mount Saint Peter nature reserve
Mount Saint Peter nature reserve
Rest, relaxation and enjoying nature together can be experienced during a visit to this special place, a stone's throw from the city centre. More info on Nature reserve Mount Saint Peter (Natuurmonumenten)
Wen Cho
Tetsuro loved Asian food in his youth. When he is not cooking himself, he likes to visit Wen Chow, which he describes as "a solid, old-fashioned Cantonese-Chinese restaurant". For 30 years, dim sum and other dishes from Chinese and Cantonese cuisine have been served here. 'My favourites are the crispy fried noodles and dim sum. You can wake me up at night for those.' He enjoys dining at the cosy restaurant. 'The staff here are also very friendly, even to my children. Highly recommended if you like Asian food.'
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Wen Cho
Wen Cho
A restaurant with over 30 years of experience in authentic Chinese and Cantonese cuisine. More info on Wen ow
Restobar MAMA
Celebrating a party or just enjoying some time out? Then Tetsuro recommends Restobar MAMA. Cosy for the whole family. In summer, children can play outside on the climbing frame or by the fountains. We also celebrate children's parties here. Parents can catch up with each other while the children are having fun.' The atmosphere at the playfully decorated catering facility is very convivial.
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Restobar MAMA
Restobar MAMA
At Restobar MAMA in Maastricht, you will enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, where you can sample surprising dishes and authentic flavours that will make you feel right at home. More info about Restobar MAMA
See Tetsuro's favourites on the map
More photogenic spots - in Maastricht
Do you also want to explore Maastricht through your lens? For a classic cityscape, photograph the stone Sint-Servaas bridge or the more modern Hoge Brug at sunrise or sunset. Or stroll at dusk among the atmospherically lit buildings along the Vrijthof square. For portraits, Tetsuro tips the Sphinxpassage. 'The light here is very beautiful and constant.' Want to capture clean geometric lines and architecture? Then the Sphinx Quarter, Mosae Forum or Centre Céramique are the place to be. 'Vroenhoven, just across the border in Belgium, is also a good place, that's where I took my best-selling photos.' Going out with your camera too? Then be sure not to skip these photogenic spots.
