COOL JAPAN VIDEOS is always holding photo contests. This time, we have selected works depicting Japan's Kansai region from among the many photos submitted to past COOL JAPAN VIDEOS Photo Contests, and will introduce some photography tips on timing, composition, etc. to help you take great photos with your smartphone! Be sure to try them out the next time you're sightseeing in Japan's Kansai region.

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!

Kansai in Past Photo Contests

Among the many works that convey the charms of Japan, we have carefully selected photos of sightseeing spots in Japan's Kansai region. We will also introduce some highlights of each area, photography tips, and related video articles to check out.

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Photographer: たっかー
Location: Shirahige Shrine (Takashima, Shiga)

Highlights and Photography Tips for Shirahige Shrine, Lake Biwa
Shirahige Shrine is a popular power spot in Japan and is the oldest shrine in Omi. There are many photogenic sights, including the main shrine, the shrine office, and other historical buildings, as well as Iwato Shrine located at the far end of the shrine grounds. But the best place for photos is the Great Torii Gate standing in Lake Biwa! You can capture various scenes of the torii as it stands against the rising sun and on the surface of the lake at sunset from the observatory on the shrine grounds.

A Video Article About Shirahige Shrine, a Popular Tourist Attraction

Video article 5:22

Shirahige Shrine - A Mysterious and Popular Location Where You Can Enjoy a Spectacular View of Lake Biwa! The Vermilion-Colored Torii Gate Is a Must-See!

• YouTube

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Photographer: たっかー
Location: Dotonbori (Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture)

Highlights and Photography Tips for Dotonbori a downtown area in Osaka's Minami district
Dotonbori is a well-known shopping district in Osaka's Minami district. Lined with theatres and restaurants, it has been crowded with people since Edo period Japan to the present day. Ebisu Bridge, which spans the Dotonbori River, is a great place to take photos. The huge billboard of "Glico" is proof that Osaka is a popular tourist attraction. The Kuidaore Taro doll and the giant three-dimensional billboards are photo spots that symbolize downtown Osaka.

A Video Article About the Shinsekai and Tsutenkaku Areas of Osaka

Video article 4:26

Be Enchanted by the Glittering Neon Lights of Osaka and the Night View of Tsutenkaku Lighting up the City of Osaka! Introducing Recommended Spots Around Tsutenkaku Tower, the Symbol of Osaka!

• YouTube

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Photographer: Shunkai_k
Location: Lake Oike (Nara City, Nara Prefecture)

Highlights and Photography Tips for Wakakusa Yamayaki
Wakakusa Yamayaki, an event held every year on the fourth Saturday in January in Japan, is a traditional event in Nara. The flames spread across 81 acres of grassland on Mt. Wakakusa in Nara Park. The foot of Mt. Wakakusa, where visitors can see Mt. Wakakusa up close as it burns, as well as Ukigumo Enchi and Kasugano Enchi, which offer panoramic views of Mt. Wakakusa, are all popular sightseeing spots. From Oike in Nishinokyo, visitors can take photos of Yakushiji Temple and the Mt. Wakakusa fireworks.

A Video Article About Yakushiji Temple, a Power Spot in Nara Prefecture

Video article 6:57

Yakushiji Temple in Nara Prefecture - Registered as a World Heritage Site Under "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara," the Temple Is Also Known as a Power Spot To Pray for Good Health!

• YouTube

COOLJAPANVIDEOS

Photographer: Smartone Templeslope
Location: The Great Buddha Hall of Todaiji Temple from Mt. Wakakusa (Nara City, Nara Prefecture)

Highlights and Photography Tips for Nara Park, a Popular Tourist Attraction
Nara Park is dotted with historical buildings such as Todaiji Temple, Shosoin Temple, Kofukuji Temple, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine in a rich natural setting. It is also a popular tourist attraction for cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. If you want to take pictures of autumn leaves and deer, we recommend Tobihino and Ukigumo Enchi in Nara Park.

A Video Article About Tourist Attractions in Nara Prefecture

Video article 3:45

Get a Taste of Japanese History in Nara Prefecture! Nara Prefecture Is Full of Places That You Don't Want to Miss When Traveling to the Kansai Region!

• YouTube

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Photographer: tabokin
Location: Hidari Daimonji seen from Mt. Yoshida (Sakyo, Kyoto)

Photography Tips for Gozan no Okuribi, a Summer Event in Kyoto
Gozan no Okuribi is a summer tradition in Kyoto. It's a Bon Festival event held every year on August 16 where fires are lit on five mountains surrounding the city of Kyoto. The characters "Daimonji" (大文字), "Myo/Ho" (妙・法), "Funagata" (船形), "Hidari Daimonji" (左大文字), and "Toriigata" (鳥居形) are lit in sequence from 8:00 p.m. onward. Mt. Yoshida, located on Mt. Okita and facing Daimonji, is lit by "Hidari Daimonji." 10 minutes up the mountain, there is a photo spot where you can get a full view of the Daimonji, which is highly recommended.

A Video Article About Gozan no Okuribi, a Traditional Event in Kyoto

Video article 1:01

Gozan no Okuribi – A Traditional Event to Send off the Spirits of the Deceased During the Obon Festival of Kyoto, Japan

• YouTube

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Photographer: しんご @shingo_camera
Location: Ine (Yosa, Kyoto)

The Sea Sparkles of Ine, Kyoto
Every year from April to the end of May, there are days when Ine Bay in Kyoto, Japan glows a brilliant blue. The cause of this is noctiluca scintillans, aka sea sparkles. Unlike sea fireflies, sea sparkles emit blue light in response to physical stimuli. Therefore, whenever they are stimulated by waves, large numbers of sea sparkles begin to glow. During the day, when there's a red tide in the bay and a strong southward wind blows, there's a high probability of seeing sea sparkles.

A Video Article About the Funaya of Ine, Kyoto

Video article 3:45

The First Floor of the House Is a Dock?! The Historic Port Town of Funaya, Ine in Kyoto Is a Fishing Village Lined With Mysterious Houses! You won't Find Scenery Like This Anywhere Else!

• YouTube

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Photographer: st situation
Location: Himeji Castle (Himeji, Hyogo)

Highlights and Photography Tips for Cherry Blossoms at Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle, selected as one of the Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Japan, is home to approximately 1,600 cherry trees, including Someiyoshino cherry trees and weeping cherry trees, which can be seen in full bloom in the spring. Sannomaru Square (三の丸広場, San no Maru Hiroba), Senhime Botan Garden (千姫ぼたん園, Sen Hime Botan-en), and Nishi no Maru Garden (西の丸庭園, Nishi no Maru Teien) are popular spots for taking photos of Himeji Castle and the cherry blossoms. The atmospheric composition of Himeji Castle, cherry blossoms, and a Japanese sightseeing boat in the inner moat of Himeji Castle with the red Shiromi Bridge in the background creates an incredibly photogenic shot.

A Video Article About Cherry Blossoms at Himeji Castle in Hyogo Prefecture

Video article 3:29

Enjoy the Cherry Blossoms of Hyogo Prefecture at Himeji Castle, Japan's First World Cultural Heritage Site! The Contrast Between the White Himeji Castle and the Pink Cherry Blossoms Will Leave You Speechless!

• YouTube

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Photographer: Nguyen Vu
Location: The Takeda Castle Ruins from the Ritsuunkyo Observation Deck (Asago, Hyogo)

Highlights and Photography Tips for the Takeda Castle Ruins
The Takeda Castle Ruins, located on the summit of Mt. Kojo in Asago, Hyogo, are the site of a mountain castle whose stone walls are still almost completely intact, some 400 years after the castle was abandoned. On a clear autumn morning, the area around the castle is sometimes shrouded in thick fog, leaving the Takeda Castle Ruins at the top of the mountain. A good spot to photograph the Takeda Castle Ruins floating in a sea of clouds is the Ritsuunkyo Observation Deck (立雲峡, Ritsuunkyo), located halfway up Mt. Asago opposite the castle ruins.

A Video Article About the Take 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

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Photographer: 女子高校生
Location: The Kumano Kodo (Higashimuro, Wakayama)

Highlights and Photography Tips for Daimonzaka on the Kumano Kodo
Daimonzaka, located on the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail, is the entrance to Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine and Nachi Falls, both of which were visited by people in ancient times. The "Meoto Sugi" (Lover Cedar Trees), estimated to be 800 years old, the stone pavement, the grove of centuries-old cedar trees, and the moss-covered stone steps are a must-see for photographers and travelers alike. Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine, one of the Kumano Sanzan (three great temples of the Kumano region), and Nachi Falls, one of the Top 3 Waterfalls in Japan, are also popular spots.

A Video Article About the Kumano Kodo, a World Heritage Site

Video article 2:35

The Beautiful Landscape of Kumano Kodo, A World Heritage Site in Wakayama Prefecture. This Historic Power Spot Is Full of Stone Steps and Sacred Waterfalls, Perfect for Your Instagram!

• YouTube

COOLJAPANVIDEOS

Photographer: いくみ
Location: Hashigui-iwa Rocks (Higashimuro, Wakayama)

Highlights and Photography Tips for Hashigui-iwa Rocks, a Popular Tourist Attraction
The Hashigui-iwa Rocks are a group of uniquely-shaped rocks in the town of Kushimoto on the southern tip of Wakayama. It consists of more than 40 rock pillars of all shapes and sizes that form a straight line extending roughly 850 meters into the sea. The scenery has been selected as one of the Top 100 Sunrise Spots in Japan, so be sure to take photos of it at sunrise! The best spot to photograph it is from the parking lot of Roadside Station Kushimoto Hashigui-iwa (道の駅くしもと橋杭岩, Michi no Eki Kushimoto Hashigui-iwa). With silhouettes of rock pillars, the sky and the sea, it's possible to capture various appearances with creative use of exposure, composition, and white balance.

A Video Article About the Shirasaki Coast in Wakayama Prefecture

Video article 3:35

Shirasaki Coast in Wakayama Prefecture, Called the "Aegean Sea of Japan," Is Just Like a Painting! Introducing the Charms and Activities of Shirasaki Coast!

• 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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