COOL JAPAN VIDEOS is always hosting photo contests. In this article, we'd like to introduce some of the beautiful Japanese landscape photos submitted to our past contests. Along with the photos, we'd also like to share with you the charms of various photo spots in Japan. COOL JAPAN VIDEOS is a social, video curation website that introduces the charms of Japan to people around the world that are interested in Japan. With our photo contests, your photos, be they taken with camera or smartphone, can be selected to win a prize! Stick around for more information about our photo contests!

Past Photo Contest Entries – Landscape Photography

From the many submissions to our past photo contests, we have selected some of the best landscape photos of Japan. Here, we'll introduce the location where each photo was taken, along with sightseeing videos showing the charms of some of the areas! We hope you enjoy the photos!

CoolJapanVideos

Photographer: HIKARINOATORIE
Location: Monet's Pond near the approach to Nemichi Shrine (Seki, Gifu)

Monet's Pond
A pond formed by spring water in the precincts of Nemichi Shrine, its beauty is reminiscent of Claude Monet's painting 'Water Lilies.' Because of this, the pond is commonly referred to as "Monet's Pond" and has become popular on Japanese social networking sites. Watching the video below, it almost feels as if the painting has become reality. Be sure to give it a watch.

Monet's Pond Article

Video article 3:07

A Degree of Clarity and Beauty only found in CG. Monet's Pond, Gifu Prefecture: A Colorful, Beautiful Sight Like a Mural in Front of Your Eyes

• YouTube

CoolJapanVideos

Photographer: 石川満彦
Location: Motonosumi Shrine (Nagato, Yamaguchi)

Motonosumi Shrine
Motonosumi Shrine is a shrine said to being many benefits, such as prosperity in business, a large catch of fish, safety at sea, happy marriage, safe childbirth, good luck, and protection from bad luck. The beautiful scenery created by 123 red torii gates stands out against the green hillside and blue sea. We also recommend the following sightseeing video, which is packed with the charms of Yamaguchi.

Yamaguchi Prefecture Sightseeing Article

Video article 3:22

Enjoy the Beautiful Scenery of Yamaguchi Prefecture! These Photos Will Take Your Breath Away! Check Out the Amazing Sightseeing Spots, Gourmet Food, and Natural Scenery That Will Give You a Glimpse of the History That Has Made Japan What It Is Today!

• YouTube

CoolJapanVideos

Photographer: orinus
Location: Nokoshima, Fukuoka

Nokonoshima Island's Candy Store 'Omohideya'
The quaint candy shop 'Omohideya' is located on Omohide-dori (思ひ出通り) in Nokonoshima Island Park. Both the storefront and interior of the store have a retro atmosphere, and stepping inside is like traveling back in time to Japan's Showa period. It's a spot where you can take photos with nostalgic sweets that Japanese children enjoyed many years ago.

Japan's Showa-Retro Candy Shops
The Showa Retro Atmosphere of Japan's Candy Shops! Everyone's Visited a Candy Store At One Time or Another, and They Were Once the Place To Meet Up With Friends

Video article 6:01

The Showa Retro Atmosphere of Japan's Candy Shops! Everyone's Visited a Candy Store At One Time or Another, and They Were Once the Place To Meet Up With Friends

• YouTube

CoolJapanVideos

Photographer: Mom Diamond
Location: Kurihama Flower Park (Yokosuka, Kanagawa)

Kurihama Flower Park
Kurihama Flower Park is a place where visitors can enjoy flowers from season to season. Nemophila and poppies bloom in the spring, and one million cosmos bloom in the fall. This is a place where you can take up-close photos like the one above, as well as photos of carpets of flowers blooming in all directions.

Kanagawa Prefecture Sightseeing Article

Video article 7:01

There Are So Many Fascinating Places to Visit in Kanagawa Prefecture! World-Famous Sightseeing Spots in Kanagawa Are Brilliantly Introduced With Smooth Dancing!

• YouTube

CoolJapanVideos

Photographer: Nguyen Vu
Location: Kurotaki Falls

Kurotaki Falls
A beautiful photo that makes you wonder "Is this really Japan?" Kurotaki Falls, described as the "Niagara of Miki," is a 4-meter tall, 30-meter-wide waterfall that flows down into the Mino River. It is characterized by its two-tiered male and female waterfalls, and there's a folk tale about a raccoon dog and a fox tricking each other as well. Photographing it from a low position with the sky makes for a powerful photo.

Hyogo Prefecture Sightseeing Article

Video article 7:28

Hyogo Prefecture Is a Fascinating Tourist Destination With Plenty of Delicious Food, Beautiful Scenery, Rich History, and Natural Landscapes!

• YouTube

CoolJapanVideos

Photographer: Abhi Sen
Location: Kappa Bridge, Kamikochi (Matsumoto, Nagano)

Kappa Bridge, Kamikochi
Kamikochi is a mountain resort area located at an elevation of 1,500 meters above sea level. From Kappa Bridge, a suspension bridge with a presence that blends in with the magnificent scenery, you can see the clear Azusa River, the Hotaka mountain range, Mt. Dakesawa, and the volcanic fumes of Mt. Yake. It's also known for its appearance in Ryunosuke Akutagawa's novel 'Kappa.' The area is visited by many tourists every year between spring and summer (as shown in the photo) and in the fall when the colorful autumn leaves appear.

Matsumoto, Nagano Sightseeing Article

Video article 4:21

Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture Is an Amazing Tourist Destination Overflowing With Nature! Kamikochi and Matsumoto Castle Are Just Two of the Must-See Destinations! A Look at the Culture, History, and Cuisine of Matsumoto City!

• YouTube

CoolJapanVideos

Photographer: Lily0321
Location: Otsu Beach (Toyokoro, Hokkaido)

Otsu Beach's 'Jewelry Ice'
The chunks of ice from the Tokachi River that flow out into the Pacific Ocean are washed away, losing their rough edges and becoming clear ice. On the Otsu Coast, from mid-January to the end of February, you can see chunks of ice shining beautifully like jewels in the sunlight. If you take a photo at the right angle, you capture the sun shimmering in the background. Coupled with the ice, it creates a beautiful photo.

Hokkaido Prefecture Sightseeing Article

Video article 3:30

Hokkaido - Endlessly Sweeping Horizons and Magnificent Scenery! Set off on a Trip to Hokkaido's Scenic Locations to Enjoy Spectacular Views of Japan's Natural Landscape!

• YouTube

CoolJapanVideos

Photographer: st situation
Location: Mt. Takara, Yakuno Highland (Fukuchiyama, Kyoto)

Mt. Takara
Mt. Takara is located on the Yakuno Highlands, which straddle the town of Yakuno in Fukuchiyama and Asago in Hyogo Prefecture. Mt. Takara is a popular location for photographers to capture spectacular views. The sea of clouds covering the mountains and the glow of the morning sun make the scenery look simply amazing.

Kyoto Prefecture Sightseeing Article

Video article 2:06

Traditional Shrines, Temples, and Beautiful Scenery in Kyoto! Sightseeing Destinations Where You Can Do Discover All That and More!

• YouTube

CoolJapanVideos

Photographer: ひであき
Location: Mt. Fuji Sea of Clouds (Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture)

Mt. Fuji Sea of Clouds
Shimizu Yoshihara in Shizuoka, where you can take pictures of a sea of clouds, the morning glow, and Mt. Fuji, is said to be a good place to see a sea of clouds. Depending on the location, you can also take pictures of tea fields and hydrangeas as shown above.

Shizuoka Prefecture Sightseeing Article

Video article 3:23

There Are So Many Fascinating Places to Visit in Shizuoka Prefecture! One of Japan's Most Scenic Destinations Condensed Into Three Minutes!

• YouTube

CoolJapanVideos

Photographer: HIKARINOATORIE
Location: Tarumi Railway, Tanigumiguchi Station (Ibi, Gifu)

Tarumi Railway
The Tarumi Railway runs between Ogaki, Gifu and Neo, Motosu. Among other things, Tanigumiguchi Station is known as a spot where you can take pictures of trains running along lines of cherry blossoms. The best time to take photos is in the morning when the weather is clear. Tanigumiguchi Station is also a good place to photograph parked trains.

Gifu Prefecture Sightseeing Article

Video article 6:06

Gifu City in Gifu Prefecture, the Very Center of Japan- Where Oda Nobunaga Aimed to Unify the Country. A City With a Wide Variety of Food, History, Culture and Beautiful Natural Scenery!

• 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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