2024 Once in Japan Photo Contest Winners and Exhibit
2025/1/13
The Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco is pleased to announce the results for its 2024 Once in Japan Photo Contest with a theme of people-to-people connection. This year’s contest featured both an “Adult Category” and a “Youth Category” for photographers aged 12-17. Over 150 photos were submitted across the two categories, with entrants sharing the memories and stories of their unique experiences relating to Japan and connecting with its people, culture, and locations.
Consul General Osumi, a representative of our prize sponsor Canon U.S.A., Inc., and representatives of local Japan-related organizations selected the winning photographs. First and Second Place winners in the Adult Category, and the First Place winner in the Youth Category will be awarded physical prizes from Canon U.S.A., Inc.
The finalists’ photos will be displayed at the Japan Information & Cultural Center’s through late February.
All of this year’s finalist photos were printed courtesy of Canon U.S.A., Inc. in large format with Canon imagePROGRAF Pro6600 printers.
We hope you will be able to visit our gallery.
Consul General Osumi, a representative of our prize sponsor Canon U.S.A., Inc., and representatives of local Japan-related organizations selected the winning photographs. First and Second Place winners in the Adult Category, and the First Place winner in the Youth Category will be awarded physical prizes from Canon U.S.A., Inc.
The finalists’ photos will be displayed at the Japan Information & Cultural Center’s through late February.
All of this year’s finalist photos were printed courtesy of Canon U.S.A., Inc. in large format with Canon imagePROGRAF Pro6600 printers.
We hope you will be able to visit our gallery.
Contest Results
 |
First Place Adult Category Alcide Guillory III “Building a Kucha with Fuki Leaves” Nibutani, Biratori, Hokkaido Prize: Canon EOS R8 RF24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens Kit |
 |
Second Place Adult Category Peter Thoeny “Ojima Neputa Matsuri” “Namahage Visit the Shrine” Namahage Sedo Festival, Oka, Akita, Japan Prize: Canon PIXMA PRO-200 Professional Inkjet Photo Printer |
 |
First Place Youth Category Bridget McVey “Yaizu Sakana Center” Yaizu Sakana Center, Yaizu, Shizuoka Prize: Canon Canon EOS R100 RF-S18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens Kit |
Honorable Mention (In Alphabetical Order)
Laura ActonBonnie Blake-Drucker
Madison Dao-Whitten
Ipsheeta Furtado
Irene Hashimoto
Carolyne Ikeda
Fernando Loyola
Jake Woo
- >>Visit our Facebook or Instagram to see all Prize-Winning and Honorable Mention finalists’ photos.
Exhibit Hours and Location
January – Late February 2025 (Monday – Friday, except holidays)
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.; 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Admission: Free and Open to the Public, Reservation Required for Entry
Location: Japan Information & Cultural Center (JICC)
Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco
275 Battery Street, Suite 2100, San Francisco CA 94111
TEL: (415) 780-6085
E-mail: japaninfo@sr.mofa.go.jp
Hours of Response: Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon; 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Except Holidays)
Please call or e-mail to reserve your entry date and time in advance.
Gallery Hours: Monday to Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Except Holidays)
Note: If you contact the JICC by e-mail, your reservation is not considered completed until you receive a confirmation e-mail from our office. You may not be able to enter without the confirmation e-mail.
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.; 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Admission: Free and Open to the Public, Reservation Required for Entry
Location: Japan Information & Cultural Center (JICC)
Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco
275 Battery Street, Suite 2100, San Francisco CA 94111
TEL: (415) 780-6085
E-mail: japaninfo@sr.mofa.go.jp
Hours of Response: Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon; 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Except Holidays)
Please call or e-mail to reserve your entry date and time in advance.
Gallery Hours: Monday to Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Except Holidays)
Note: If you contact the JICC by e-mail, your reservation is not considered completed until you receive a confirmation e-mail from our office. You may not be able to enter without the confirmation e-mail.