Accepting Entries: 2026 Once in Japan Photo Contest - "Country Roads"
2026/7/16
The Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco is accepting entries for the 2026 Once in Japan Photo Contest, with prizes including the latest Canon cameras and products from Canon U.S.A., Inc.
While many visit Japan for its towering cityscapes, neon lights, and vibrant urban culture, Japan's timeless allure is often found when traveling its "Country Roads", the theme for the 2026 Contest.
We want to see the real hidden gems of Japan that reveal themselves when you escape the big city. Wherever your feet – or your camera – took you off the beaten path, we want to see it through your lens.
A sunrise after an early morning hike?
A forgotten, moss-covered shrine?
A surprise festival?
Show us!
This year, we invite you to take it slow and unwind with rural charm, open landscapes, and opportunities you can truly only experience once in Japan.
The deadline for this contest is Sunday, September 6, 2026.
Entrants may submit up to three photos taken on a recent trip to Japan – (1/1/2023-present).
Select photos will be displayed in the contest exhibit at KOHO Creative Hub in San Francisco Japantown, and at the Consulate’s gallery.
Because the purpose of the contest is to highlight Japan through the lens of non-Japanese photographers, only those who do not hold a Japanese passport are eligible to apply.
While many visit Japan for its towering cityscapes, neon lights, and vibrant urban culture, Japan's timeless allure is often found when traveling its "Country Roads", the theme for the 2026 Contest.
We want to see the real hidden gems of Japan that reveal themselves when you escape the big city. Wherever your feet – or your camera – took you off the beaten path, we want to see it through your lens.
A sunrise after an early morning hike?
A forgotten, moss-covered shrine?
A surprise festival?
Show us!
This year, we invite you to take it slow and unwind with rural charm, open landscapes, and opportunities you can truly only experience once in Japan.
The deadline for this contest is Sunday, September 6, 2026.
Entrants may submit up to three photos taken on a recent trip to Japan – (1/1/2023-present).
Select photos will be displayed in the contest exhibit at KOHO Creative Hub in San Francisco Japantown, and at the Consulate’s gallery.
Because the purpose of the contest is to highlight Japan through the lens of non-Japanese photographers, only those who do not hold a Japanese passport are eligible to apply.
Contest Prizes
Judges will select three winning photos. Winners will each receive the following:
- Certificate of Award
- One (1) Prize from Canon U.S.A., Inc. as determined by Prize Sponsor and Organizer:
- EOS R5 Mark II + RF24-105mm F4L IS USM Kit
- PIXMA PRO-200S Professional Inkjet Photo Printer
- EOS R50V + RF-S14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ Lens Kit
- PowerShot V1
- Selected Submission displayed and featured in the Contest Exhibition, website, and social media
- Additionally, all finalists will receive prizes from Canon U.S.A., Inc. and Kinokuniya USA during the award ceremony.
Application (Online only)
Rules and Necessary Documents for Submission
Photos must have been taken in Japan on or after January 1, 2023
Entry is limited to individuals aged 12 or older who are not Japanese nationals (citizens).
* By submitting an entry, each applicant agrees to the Official Rules (download link below) and warrants that his or her entry complies with all requirements set out in the Official Rules.
, KOHO Creative Hub, Kinokuniya USA, and the California-Japan Sister Cities Network, and .
For further inquiries about this contest, please contact:
Japan Information and Cultural Center
Email: japaninfo@sr.mofa.go.jp
Phone: (415) 780-6085
Exhibition Period
October-November 2026 in KOHO Creative Hub in San Francisco Japantown (details to be finalized)
Entry is limited to individuals aged 12 or older who are not Japanese nationals (citizens).
* By submitting an entry, each applicant agrees to the Official Rules (download link below) and warrants that his or her entry complies with all requirements set out in the Official Rules.
- Official Rules (Download here
) - Application Form (Submit here: Google Form)
- Parental Consent Form (For photographers under 18; Download here)
- Subject Release Form (For photos with identifiable individuals; Download here)
, KOHO Creative Hub, Kinokuniya USA, and the California-Japan Sister Cities Network, and .For further inquiries about this contest, please contact:
Japan Information and Cultural Center
Email: japaninfo@sr.mofa.go.jp
Phone: (415) 780-6085
Exhibition Period
October-November 2026 in KOHO Creative Hub in San Francisco Japantown (details to be finalized)