2026 Once in Japan Photo Contest Winners and Exhibit
2026/10/8
The Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco is pleased to announce the results for its 2026 Once in Japan Photo Contest with a theme of ”Country Roads”. This year’s contest featured both an Adult Category and a Youth Category for photographers aged 12-17. Over 270 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; Kinokuniya USA, 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 October 6 through the end of November with additional locations to be announced.
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 October 6 through the end of November with additional locations to be announced.
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
 |
First Place Adult Category Sow Chang “Familiar Steps” Yufu City, Oita Prefecture Prize: EOS R5 Mark II + RF24-105mm F4L IS USM Kit |
 |
Second Place Adult Category Dan Spiegel “Looking, After the Fires” Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture Prize: PIXMA PRO-200S Professional Inkjet Photo Printer |
 |
First Place Youth Category Nanako Frey “Views through a Hidden Path” Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture Prize: EOS R50V + RF-S14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ Lens Kit |
 |
Youth Category Sister City Prize Laken Unterberg “Blue Country” Mitoyo City, Kagawa Prefecture Prize: PowerShot V1 |
Exhibit Hours and Locations
“Country Roads” Pop-up @KOHO
October 7 – End of November
Mondays-Thursdays
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Admission: Free and Open to the Public
Location: KOHO Creative Hub
1675 Post St, East Mall, 2nd Floor., San Francisco, CA 94115
October 7 – End of November
Mondays-Thursdays
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Admission: Free and Open to the Public
Location: KOHO Creative Hub
1675 Post St, East Mall, 2nd Floor., San Francisco, CA 94115