All About Japan Photo and Video Contest: My Fave Japan — Winners Announcement!

From December 2024 to January 2025, All About Japan Tomodachi hosted the All About Japan Photo and Video Contest: My Fave Japan. The contest invited participants to submit work with the theme “My Fave Japan” to showcase Japan’s nature, cities, culture, and people.

Approximately 110 entries were received. We sincerely appreciate every single incredible entry and every participant for sharing their love of Japan with us.

After careful deliberation, we are pleased to announce the winners as follows:

Grand Prize (1 winner)

Grand Prize (1 winner): A journey to rediscover the charms of Japan with help from Fairfield by Marriott. Hotel voucher for 2 people for 1 night. (Choose from 29 locations nationwide, from Hokkaido to Kagoshima. Value: ¥30,000.)

Photographer: Crystal

From the All About Japan (AAJ) Editorial Team: Crystal skillfully used light to capture a variety of scenes featuring Japan’s landscapes and culture. The Daruma photo brims with realism, while the hydrangea photo is poetic and beautiful. Crystal’s expression of the "My Fave Japan" theme is outstanding, making her the grand prize winner.

From Professional Photographer Hideo Yamada:
● The realism makes the viewer feel as if they are standing there, experiencing the scene firsthand.
● The atmosphere of the location is directly conveyed.
● The perspective is straight and natural (which is often difficult to achieve).
● The choice of Japanese elements like hydrangeas and Daruma is excellent.
● The photographs feel natural, not overly polished, while still incorporating techniques like selective lighting in the hydrangea shot and blurred foreground in the Lake Mashu shot.
● The balance between natural expression and photographic technique is superb.
● The images convey a mood and atmosphere that cannot be expressed in words — only photography can do them justice.

First Runner-Up (1 winner)

Photographer: Ana Rita

From the AAJ Editorial Team: Ana Rita’s photos showcase artistic sensibility and a unique perspective. Not only are they beautiful, but they also depict Japanese scenery and colors in a distinctive way, earning her the runner-up prize.

From Professional Photographer Hideo Yamada:
● Three out of four photos were taken with a mirroring technique.
● This technique effectively conveys a surreal atmosphere and the bustling energy of Dotonbori.
● The subtle distortion left in the images adds character. While a professional photographer might have corrected this, the choice to keep it was effective.
● The photos capture a moment of everyday life in Japan exceptionally well.

Honorable Mention (5 winners)

◆　Photographer: Roxanne

From the AAJ Editorial Team: The creative shooting technique, which seems to capture an entire world in a small circle, makes the image memorable. The photo also subtly conveys the love between a couple.

From Professional Photographer Hideo Yamada:
● The photographer displayed excellent judgment regarding the time of day to best capture these colors.
● The technique of focusing on Mount Fuji by excluding surrounding elements was well executed.
● The photo transcends time, representing an eternal Japan.

◆　Photographer: Radost

From the AAJ Editorial Team: The photo evokes a feeling of Zen and a sense of harmony. The depiction of Mount Fuji conveys a serene solitude, embodying the spirit of Japan.

From Professional Photographer Hideo Yamada:
● The photograph is a tranquil portrayal of Japan.
● The vastness and grandeur of nature are emphasized by including a small human figure.

◆　Photographer: Denise

From the AAJ Editorial Team: The photo is a beautifully composed travel snapshot, with excellent composition and positioning. The central placement of the sea bream reflects the photographer’s unique perspective, making it an outstanding piece.

From Professional Photographer Hideo Yamada:
● The photographer shows clear intent in the composition.
● The photograph displays an effective use of blur and focus to highlight the subject.
● It’s clear that the photographer carefully considered the theme and message before capturing the shot.

◆　Photographer: Daren

From the AAJ Editorial Team: The contrast between the family and the autumn leaves is striking. The fleeting nature of the falling leaves juxtaposed with the warmth of family love creates a beautiful image.

From Professional Photographer Hideo Yamada:
● The photographer showed excellent judgment in timing to capture the vibrant contrast between the yellow leaves and the blue sky.
● The photographer’s straightforward and honest perspective is well expressed.

◆　Photographer: Binara

From the AAJ Editorial Team: The photo exudes nostalgia and a sense of longing, evoking a warm and timeless feeling.

From Professional Photographer Hideo Yamada:
● The photograph contains a rich combination of techniques, including backlight silhouettes, color processing, and framing with plants.
● It’s obvious that the photographer had a clear image of Japan in mind and composed the shot accordingly.
● The distance between the subject and the camera is well balanced.

Once again, we sincerely appreciate everyone who participated, and we look forward to organizing more exciting events for you in the future. Stay tuned!