Thank you everyone for your amazing entries for the 34th COOL JAPAN VIDEOS Photo Contest. After thorough screening, we have decided on the prize-winning entries and will announce the results here.
Click here for the details page and contest overview

Greetings

Thank you very much for always using COOL JAPAN VIDEOS.
We sincerely appreciate your participation in the COOL JAPAN VIDEOS Photo Contest.

The theme this time was "Hidden Tourist Spots in Japan," and we received numerous unique and captivating entries.
Many submissions introduced beautiful, lesser-known landscapes and culturally rich locations, allowing us to rediscover new charms of Japan.

In selecting the winning entries, we valued not only the beauty and originality of the photos but also how well they conveyed the appeal of each place.

Moving forward, COOL JAPAN VIDEOS will continue to serve as a platform to share Japan's wonderful culture and scenery with the world.
We hope your passion for sharing the greatness of Japan reaches the hearts of people everywhere.

We look forward to your continued support of COOL JAPAN VIDEOS.

Announcement of Results

×In no particular order
Winners please complete the receiving procedure.
COOL JAPAN VIDEOS Photo Contest Grand Prize
Judge's Comment
This photograph captures the vast scenery from the summit of Mt. Kanmuri, Akiyoshi-dai. According to the photographer, it took about 30 minutes on foot from the parking lot to reach this spot, offering a luxurious experience unique to a sunrise trek, where you can enjoy the beauty of the morning sun all by yourself.

The natural landscape created by the green grasslands and scattered rocks, combined with the quiet morning mountain air, leaves a calm and lingering impression on the heart. It conveys the charm of a hidden tourist spot where one can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and spend a leisurely time.

This photograph beautifully expresses a scene that makes you want to visit.
COOL JAPAN VIDEOS Photo Contest Honorable Mention
Judge's Comment
The landscape of Yotsuya no Senmaida wrapped in the moist air after the rain evokes a quiet and calming moment.

The terraced rice paddies seamlessly blend with nature, while the mountains gently embrace the scenery, softly revealing a part of Japan's beautiful rural landscape. The mountains' reflections in the water-filled paddies and the soft light add depth to the scene.

This photograph conveys the charm of this location in Shinshiro City and makes one want to visit.
COOL JAPAN VIDEOS Photo Contest Honorable Mention
Judge's Comment
This photograph captures a moment from "Tokugawaen Yusuzumi," a summer event held at Tokugawaen in Nagoya's Higashi Ward. Against the backdrop of a summer sunset dyed red like flames, the soft light of floating lanterns on Ryusen Pond spreads gently, while the green of weeping willows and pines is softly illuminated.

The quiet atmosphere of this hidden Japanese garden, where visitors can leisurely enjoy seasonal scenery, comes through beautifully.

The special summer night scenery within the city is beautifully reflected, making it an inviting place to visit.
COOL JAPAN VIDEOS Photo Contest Honorable Mention
Judge's Comment
This photograph taken on Oki Island conveys the gentle scene of horses grazing calmly in the soft breeze. The vast grassland stretching as far as the eye can see, with the blue sea beyond, evokes a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.

The image captures the charm of this place as somewhere to enjoy a slow pace of time immersed in nature, making you want to visit.

The tranquil scenery and presence of animals soothe the heart, creating an impression of a hidden gem for tourists.
COOL JAPAN VIDEOS Photo Contest Honorable Mention
Judge's Comment
This photograph captures Todo Rock as seen from Shukutsu Panorama Observatory in Otaru, Hokkaido. The wild birds resting on the rock and the lively scenes of the ocean at the shoreline convey a rich sense of nature.

The rock is known for wild Steller sea lions that gather in winter, with around 20 individuals confirmed in March 2026.

This location, different from the townscape of Otaru, offers a breath of natural life and comes across as a hidden gem worth visiting.
COOL JAPAN VIDEOS Photo Contest Honorable Mention
Judge's Comment
This photo conveys the experience of visiting Yufugawa Valley, enticed by the clear stream's murmur and the cool breeze amid the sweltering heat of the rainy season. Upon reaching the valley bottom, a fantastical scene unfolds like another world, allowing one to truly feel the charm of nature.

At the time of filming, the upstream area was closed off due to fallen trees, but such information also helps ensure visitors can feel safe.

This quiet valley in Yufu City, Oita Prefecture, is captured as a place one would want to visit for a moment of respite during the hot season.
Thank you so much for all your submissions!

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