2025 Once in Japan Photo Contest Winners and Exhibit
2025/11/26
The Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco is pleased to announce the results for its 2025 Once in Japan Photo Contest with a theme of ”Make it Pop!”. This year’s contest featured both an Adult Category and a Youth Category for photographers aged 12-17. Over 140 photos were submitted across the two categories, with entrants sharing the memories and stories of their unique experiences in Japan. This year’s contest was held in partnership with Canon, U.S.A., Inc.; KOHO Creative Hub; and the California Japan Sister Cities Network.
Consul General Otsuki, a representative of our prize sponsor Canon U.S.A., Inc., and representatives of the contest partner organizations selected the winning photographs. First and Second Place winners in the Adult Category, the First Place winner in the Youth Category, and the Youth Category Sister City Prize will be awarded physical prizes from Canon U.S.A., Inc.
The finalists’ photos will be displayed at a special popup exhibit at KOHO Creative Hub in San Francisco Japantown from November 10 - December 19, followed by an exhibition in the Japan Information & Cultural Center’s in the new year.
All of this year’s finalist photos were printed courtesy of Canon U.S.A., Inc. in large format with Canon imagePROGRAF Pro-2600 printers.
We hope you will be able to visit the exhibit.
Consul General Otsuki, a representative of our prize sponsor Canon U.S.A., Inc., and representatives of the contest partner organizations selected the winning photographs. First and Second Place winners in the Adult Category, the First Place winner in the Youth Category, and the Youth Category Sister City Prize will be awarded physical prizes from Canon U.S.A., Inc.
The finalists’ photos will be displayed at a special popup exhibit at KOHO Creative Hub in San Francisco Japantown from November 10 - December 19, followed by an exhibition in the Japan Information & Cultural Center’s in the new year.
All of this year’s finalist photos were printed courtesy of Canon U.S.A., Inc. in large format with Canon imagePROGRAF Pro-2600 printers.
We hope you will be able to visit the exhibit.
Contest Results
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First Place Adult Category Deanna Duffy “Hydrangeas and Hope in Hiroshima” Shukkei-en Garden, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture Prize: EOS R5 Mark II + RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM Ki |
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Second Place Adult Category Sean Barroga “Kawabata’s Window” Yusai-Tei Gallery, Arashiyama, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture Prize: PIXMA PRO-200S Professional Inkjet Photo Printer |
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First Place Youth Category Margot Latham “Cotton Candy Girl” Harajuku, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo Prefecture Prize: EOS R8 RF24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens Kit |
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Youth Category Sister City Prize Weslee Dimalanta “Ambassadors’ 100 Yen Awe” Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture Prize: EOS R50 V + RF-S14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ Lens Kit |
Exhibit Hours and Locations
1. “Make it Pop!” Pop-up @KOHO
November 10 - December 19
Mondays-Thursdays
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Admission: Free and Open to the Public
Location: KOHO Creative Hub (Link: https://kohosf.org/)
1675 Post St, East Mall, 2nd Floor., San Francisco, CA 94115
2. “Make it Pop!” Consulate Exhibition
January (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.