COOL JAPAN VIDEOS is always holding photo contests. This time, we have selected photos that capture a glimpse of autumn from among those submitted to our past photo contests. Autumn in Japan means autumn leaves, seasonal foods, outdoor activities, sports, art, travel, and so much more. Some of the photographs introduced in this article can only be taken under very specific conditions and with the right timing. We hope you take the time to enjoy them.

COOL JAPAN VIDEOS is a social, video curation site that introduces the charms of Japan to people around the world who are interested in Japan.

Our photo contests allow you to participate and even win with photos taken via your smartphone! Stick around to learn more!

Autumn in Past Photo Contests

Past COOL JAPAN VIDEOS photo contests were filled with many wonderful works that convey the charms of Japan! Let's take a look at some of the wonderful photos taken in autumn. We'll also include the locations where the photos were taken and related articles for reference.

COOLJAPANVIDEOS

Photographer: Phúc Jindo
Location: Lake Kawaguchiko (Minamitsuru, Yamanashi)

The Maple Corridor of Lake Kawaguchi, a Photogenic Spot in Autumn
Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi are extremely popular among photographers. 400-500 maples can be seen along the shores of Lake Kawaguchi, making this area one of the best places for photographing the beautifully colored leaves that cover the road and create a tunnel of autumn leaves. The Fuji Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival is held every year from late October to mid-November, and the illuminated corridor offers a fantastic view of autumn leaves and Mt. Fuji.

An Article on Mt. Fuji

Video article 4:21

Fuji - Japan's Largest Tourist Attraction and the Pride of the Country. Its Mysterious Beauty Fascinates All Who See It

• YouTube

COOLJAPANVIDEOS

Photographer: YOU
Location: Ryuzu Falls (Nikko, Tochigi)

The Charms of Ryuzu Falls, Nikko
Ryuzu Falls is one of the three most famous waterfalls in Nikko. The name Ryuzu (竜頭 Ryuzu, lit "Dragon's Head") comes from its resemblance to a dragon's head, which is divided into two halves by large rocks. Starting in late September, visitors to the falls can enjoy beautiful autumn leaves, and from May to June, the vibrant magenta of the azaleas can be observed.

An Article on Sightseeing in Nikko

Video article 10:36

A Look at the Beautiful Autumnal Scenery Created by Mother Nature! Enjoy Autumn in Japan With Kegon Falls and the Autumn Foliage of Lake Chuzenji, Two of Nikko, Tochigi's Most Famous Scenic Spots!

• YouTube

COOLJAPANVIDEOS

Photographer: なもち＠広島おでかけちゃんねる
Location: Daisho-in Temple (Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima)

Highlights of Daisho-in Temple
Daisho-in Temple is the oldest and most prestigious temple in Miyajima, Hiroshima, and was founded by Kobo Daishi (Kukai), the Japanese Buddhist monk that founded the esoteric Shingon school of Buddhism. The temple is said to have been visited by great figures, such as Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Ito Hirobumi, successive members of the imperial family, and in 2006, the 14th Dalai Lama. The temple is home to many attractions, including the Five Hundred Rakan (Arhats), each wearing a hat and bearing a different expression; Henjokutsu Cave, a beautiful cave with 88 depictions of Buddha and lanterns covering the ceiling; and many cute Jizo statues. Daisho-in Temple, a power spot and one of Miyajima's most popular tourist attractions, is located just 5-minutes from Itsukushima Shrine.

An Article on Sightseeing in Hiroshima

Video article 8:04

Itsukushima Shrine Is a Popular Spot in Hiroshima You Don't Want to Miss! The Vermilion-Lacquered Torii Gate Over the Sea Is a Fantastic Sight, Chosen as One of the Three Most Beautiful Sights of Japan!

• YouTube

COOLJAPANVIDEOS

Photographer: T.S.P

Bales of Straw After a Rice Harvest
Terraced rice fields create a variety of landscapes, and the verdant rice paddies seem to extend to the horizon. The picturesque scenery of rice paddies, with their uniquely Japanese atmosphere, evokes a sense of familiarity. Autumn is associated with autumn leaves, but bales of straw, which can be seen only for a short period of time after the rice harvest, are one of the signature landscapes of Hokkaido. These bales of straw are used as cattle feed during the harsh winters of northern Japan.

An Article on Sightseeing in Hyogo

Video article 4:00

The Beautiful Rice Paddies of Japan in 4K. Golden Ears of Rice Painted on the Horizon Bring Peace to the People of Japan

• YouTube

COOLJAPANVIDEOS

Photographer: Lily0321

Akatombo (Red Dragonflies)
In Japan, many people know that autumn has arrived when they see red dragonflies flying about. In Japanese, "Akatombo" (red dragonfly) is a generic name for dragonflies belonging to the family of dragonflies in the genus "Akane." There are 21 species of dragonflies belonging to the Akane genus in Japan. The wandering gliders (pantala flavescens) that fly in swarms in autumn are also sometimes called akatombo.

An Article on the Oniyanma, the Largest Dragonfly in Japan

Video article 1:30

The Oniyanma: Amazing Footage of Japan's Largest Dragonfly! See It Molting and Laying Eggs in Nature...

• YouTube

COOLJAPANVIDEOS

Photographer: k Yoji
Location: Hitachi Seaside Park (Hitachinaka, Ibaraki)

The Charms of Hitachi Seaside Park
Hitachi Seaside Park is a place where visitors can enjoy seasonal flowers and is home to the Kochia Carnival from early to late October. Miharashi Hill is covered with about 32,000 bright red kochia (summer cypress), making it a photogenic spot popular among instagrammers. In spring, daffodils, tulips, and nemophila (baby blue eyes) are at their best, and in summer, the green kochia are lit up at night with colorful LED lights, creating a different atmosphere from that of the daytime.

An Article on Sightseeing in Ibaraki

Video article 5:05

Ibaraki Prefecture: A Tourist Attraction With Everything From Nature to the Latest in World-Class Space Technology. An In-Depth Look at Ibaraki's Cuisine and History!

• YouTube

COOLJAPANVIDEOS

Photographer: Nguyen Vu
Location: The Takeda Castle Ruins: The Castle in the Sky (Asago, Hyogo)

The Charms of the Takeda Castle Ruins, the Castle in the Sky
The Takeda Castle Ruins, dubbed the Machu Picchu of Japan, is a site built entirely of stone walls on the 353.7-meter-tall summit of Mt. Kojo. The sight of the castle floating in the sea of clouds is truly fantastic, and the title of "Castle in the Sky" is no exaggeration. Although many people are determined to see this spectacular view, the sea of clouds only presents itself when the weather and other conditions are just right. The sea of clouds most often occurs between September and October, from dawn to around 8:00 a.m. Fog tends to form when there is a temperature difference of more than 10°C between day and night, when it is sunny during the day and cool at night, and when the wind is light.

An Article on the Takeda Castle Ruins, the Castle in the Sky

Video article 2:29

Behold the Mesmerizing Scenery of Takeda Castle, Hidden in a Sea of Clouds in Asago, Hyogo! Called the "Machu Picchu of Japan" and "Castle in the Sky," Takeda Castle Attracts Thousands of Tourists From All Over the World!

• YouTube

COOLJAPANVIDEOS

Photographer: 古谷久樹
Location: Hokkaido

Salmon Spawning in Hokkaido in Autumn and Winter
Salmon swimming upriver is a typical view during autumn in Hokkaido. In autumn, many salmon head upstream to spawn. The sight of the salmon, which have spent around four years growing up in the Pacific Ocean, risking their lives to return home while their bodies are battered by rocks and other obstacles, shows the beauty of life and evokes a feeling of romance. They can be seen in Hokkaido's Toyohira River, Kotonihassamu River, Uyoro River, and Hamamasu River among others.

An Article on Hokkaido's Ezo Brown Bears and Salmon

Video article 7:40

Ezo Brown Bears Catching Lunch in the Outdoors of Hokkaido! See the 2-Meter-Tall Bears Snatching Fish From a River Right Before Your Eyes!

• YouTube

COOLJAPANVIDEOS

Photographer: Haruna
Location: Kuhonji Temple (Gosho, Nara)

The Charms of Spider Lilies
In late September, Kuhonji Temple is so popular that early in the morning, many people scramble to find a spot to photograph the bright red spider lilies and the morning sunrise. In Japan, spider lilies are called higanbana (lit. "Higan Flowers") because they bloom around the time of Higan, a Buddhist holiday exclusively observed in Japan, but they are also called "manjushage," which in Sanskrit means "The flower that blooms in the heavens." In the language of flowers, it has the meaning of passion, and its short flowering period of only about a week gives it a mysterious, ephemeral charm.

An Article on the Red Spider Lily Festival of Hidaka, Saitama

Video article 3:49

Discover More Than 5 Million Spider Lilies at the "Red Spider Lily Festival" at Kinchakuda in Hidaka, Saitama, One of the Largest Blooming Areas in Japan! The Sea of Red Will Take Your Breath Away

• YouTube

Features of COOL JAPAN VIDEOS Photo Contests

COOL JAPAN VIDEOS is a social, video curation site that showcases the charms of Japan to people around the world who are interested in Japan.
Click here for more information about COOLJAPANVIDEOS

Anyone can enter COOL JAPAN VIDEOS' photo contests! Below are some of the features of our contests.
・On top of single-lens reflex cameras and digital cameras, photos taken with smartphones and other devices can also be submitted.
・Each person can submit as many photos as they like during the contest period.
・Editing of images, such as cropping and color changes, is also allowed!

Here you can find all of the past photo contest winners in one place. You can also see the prizes for each contest, as well as the locations where the photos were taken and the judges' critiques.

Click here to see past photo contest winners

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Photo Contest Results - COOL JAPAN VIDEOS Winning Photos - Discover the Charms of Japan!

Current Photo Contest

The following is information about the current photo contest.

[Ongoing From March2024] The 22th COOL JAPAN VIDEOS Photo Contest
Theme: Spring in Japan
Submission period: March 1, 2024 12:00 AM – April 30, 2024 11:59 PM (JST)
Prizes: ■Grand Prize: 30,000 yen Amazon gift card (1 Winner) ■Honorable Mentions: 10,000 yen Amazon gift card (5 Winners)

Spring in Japan

Photo Contest Landscape Photography Summary

Did you enjoy these landscape photos from past photo contest entries? Some of these landscapes can only be seen in specific conditions.
Japan is full of rich nature, historical locations, and seasonal events! Share your photos with the world and help showcase the beauty of Japan through COOL JAPAN VIDEOS!

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