Visual Bank Inc. (Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Saneyuki Nagai), through its subsidiary amanaimages Inc., has launched a new dataset under its AI training data solution, Qlean Dataset: the Japanese Shrine Image Dataset.

The dataset is intended for AI research and development, including image recognition, image classification, and multimodal applications.
It consists of photographs taken at Shinto shrines across Japan, capturing real outdoor environments. The images cover key architectural and spatial elements such as shrine buildings, torii gates, approach paths, and shrine grounds. Shrines in a variety of settings—from urban areas to forested and mountainous regions—are included, reflecting the diversity of Japan’s cultural landscapes and environmental conditions.
The dataset also spans different seasons and weather conditions. By capturing shrine architecture together with its surrounding natural environment, the images represent the spatial characteristics unique to Japanese shrines, where built structures and nature are closely connected.
Each image includes metadata related to the location and subject matter. This allows the dataset to be used not only as visual reference material, but as structured data for analyzing spatial composition and environmental context. Focusing on a specific cultural subject, the dataset supports training and evaluation of AI models that require Japanese cultural and environmental visual elements, which are often underrepresented in general-purpose outdoor image datasets.

The Japanese Shrine Image Dataset is part of Qlean Dataset’s original lineup, AI Data Recipe, and is cleared for both research and commercial AI use. Through datasets grounded in cultural and social contexts, Visual Bank supports practical development and evaluation in real-world AI applications.

Dataset Overview: Japanese Shrine Image Dataset 

Use Case Examples

Research Applications 

• Image Recognition Research on Outdoor Cultural Spaces
  The dataset can be used to evaluate recognition and classification models for structures and spatial elements in outdoor environments, using images that include shrine buildings, torii gates, and shrine grounds.

• Evaluation of Visual Representation Learning in Foundation and Generative Models
  Real-world outdoor images of Japanese shrines can be used in the training and evaluation of generative AI and multimodal foundation models to analyze visual representations and spatial understanding.

 Industrial Applications 

• Image Analysis AI for Tourism and Regional Information Services
  The dataset can serve as training data for AI products that recognize and classify outdoor facilities, including shrines, in tourism guidance and regional information services.

• Training Data for Generative AI and Multimodal Foundation Models
  The images can be used for training or fine-tuning image generation models and vision-language models, providing real-world visual data that includes outdoor environments and cultural landscapes.

 Educational and Other Practical Applications 

• Supporting Cultural and Landscape Understanding in Education
  In educational contexts, the dataset can be used as visual material focused on Japanese shrines to support learning and research related to regional culture and landscape understanding.

About Qlean Dataset

Qlean Dataset is a commercial-use-ready AI training data solution provided by Amana Images Inc., a subsidiary of Visual Bank Inc.
It supports a wide range of data types, including images, videos, audio, 3D assets, and text, enabling both research and commercial AI development in a legally safe environment.
Through collaborations with data partners such as Chiba Lotte Marines Co., Ltd. and Toyo Keizai Inc., Qlean Dataset continues to expand its specialized, industry-focused lineup known as the “AI Data Recipe.”
By reducing the operational burden of data collection and preparation, Qlean Dataset helps organizations establish AI development environments that are both legally compliant and risk-free.

▶ Qlean Dataset: https://qleandataset.visual-bank.co.jp/en
▶ AI Data Recipe: https://qleandataset.visual-bank.co.jp/en/lineup

Key Features of Qlean Dataset

• Existing datasets deliverable within one business day

• Custom data collection and recording services available

▶ Contact: https://qleandataset.visual-bank.co.jp/en/contact

About Visual Bank Inc.

Visual Bank Inc. is a Tokyo-based startup building Next-Generation Data infrastructure to enhance AI development capabilities under the mission “Unlocking Data Accessibility.”
The company operates THE PEN, an AI-assisted creative tool for manga artists and the Qlean Dataset service.
Its subsidiaries include Amana Images Inc., one of Japan’s largest photostock providers; Qlean Dataset, which leads research and development in AI data; and THE PEN Inc., an AI-assisted creative tool for manga artists.

CEO: Saneyuki Nagai
Address: 6F, C-Cube Minami Aoyama Building, 7-1-7 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062
Corporate Site: https://visual-bank.co.jp/en
Amana Images: https://qleandataset.visual-bank.co.jp/en/company-overview