Yanagishima has worked with Takeshi Kitano in his films, including A Scene at the Sea, Sonatine, Zatoichi, Kids Return, Kikujiro, Dolls, Zatoichi, Outrage series, He won the Japan Academy Prize for best cinematography for Go! in 2002 and for Zatoichi in 2004. Shutter, Battle Royale and The Grudge 2 are some of his other well known films.