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Greetings
Thank you very much for your continued support of COOL JAPAN VIDEOS.
We sincerely appreciate your participation in the “32nd COOL JAPAN VIDEOS Photo Contest: Winter in Japan.”
This time, under the theme of “Winter in Japan,” we received a wide variety of submissions capturing the unique charm of Japanese winter. A variety of photos were submitted, ranging from depictions of snow-covered mountains and tranquil, serene landscapes wrapped in silence to vibrant festivals and traditional events held in the crisp winter air, as well as gentle scenes that convey a sense of warmth within the sharp cold.
Each photograph captured a memorable moment encountered during this harsh yet beautiful season, leaving a quiet and lasting impression sure to resonate deeply with its sense of stillness and emotion.
The award-winning works were selected for their ability to thoughtfully convey the beauty, atmosphere, and distinct character of Japan’s winter. Many of them reminded us that even fleeting moments during a journey or scenes from everyday life can reveal the richness and depth of the winter season.
The COOL JAPAN VIDEOS Photo Contest will continue to serve as a platform for sharing the charm of Japan with the world.
We sincerely hope that your passion for sharing the beauty of Japan will reach people across the globe.
We look forward to your participation in our next photo contest.
Thank you for your continued support of COOL JAPAN VIDEOS.
Announcement of Results
Winners please complete the receiving procedure.
Perched atop a roof blanketed in pure white snow, the plump sparrows huddle closely together, their rounded forms creating an irresistibly hearming scene.
Within this quintessential Nagano winter landscape, a quiet sense of the warmth of these small lives is gently conveyed. Though set against the cold of a Japanese winter, the sparrows’ adorable presence seems to soften that chill.
For its ability to beautifully express the theme of “Winter in Japan,” this work has been selected as an honorable mention.
As snow swirls through the air, participants in vibrant yukata confront the flames with bamboo poles in hand. Their determined expressions vividly convey the intensity and heat of the festival.
Unfolding beneath a frigid winter sky, this bold and spirited scene reflects the enduring vitality of traditional events that continue to thrive across Japan. The striking interplay of cold and heat in this moment perfectly embodies the theme of “Winter in Japan,” and in recognition of this this work has been selected as an honorable mention.
In front of the striking mound of vivid red daruma, an elderly figure standing quietly lends a gentle warmth to the scene.
The custom of returning daruma dolls to temples or shrines after the New Year, once their wishes have been fulfilled, is one of the seasonal traditions that Japanese people have cherished for generations.
Passed down with gratitude and prayer at the start of each year, this scene perfectly reflects the theme of “Winter in Japan.” In recognition of this, we have selected this work as an honorable mention.
Surrounded by rising steam, the monkey leisurely soaks with its eyes gently closed. Its endearing, slightly absent-minded expression perfectly matches the title “Dreaming.”
The sight of snow monkeys bathing in hot springs amid Nagano's deep winter is a globally recognized scene of Japan, attracting visitors from around the world.
This work, which conveys the warmth of “Winter in Japan” through the gentle expression of a Japanese macaque at ease in nature, has been selected as an honorable mention.
On a freezing early morning, with the frost-covered ground glowing white in the background, the vivid orange of the hanging corn contrasts beautifully with the majestic winter form of Mount Fuji, evoking the quiet beauty and charm of Japan’s rural landscapes.
Under a clear blue sky, the corn glows in the morning sunlight, while the snow-clad Mount Fuji gleams in white, creating a palette that feels both crisp and distinctly wintery.
Bringing together Mount Fuji, an enduring symbol of Japan, and the traditional rhythms of "satoyama" rural life, this work perfectly embodies the theme of “Winter in Japan,” and has been selected as an honorable mention.
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Taken from a low angle with backlighting, the image vividly reveals both the intricate internal structure of the ice and the shimmering water on its surface. The contrast with the dark sandy beach gently accentuates the ice’s transparency, while the waves and sunlight in the background create a natural sense of depth.
The fleeting beauty of Jewelry Ice, visible only from mid-January to late February, perfectly embodies the theme of “Winter in Japan.” In recognition of this, we are delighted to have selected this work as the grand prize winner.