
The Japan Tourism Agency invites you to share your WOW! moments from your time in Japan by entering their Japan Photo Contest. Photos will be voted on by other users and those with the most WOW!’s (the facebook equivalent of likes), have a chance to win some fabulous prizes.
WOW! photos of Japan are categorized into six themes:
Cool! : Latest technology and pop culture.
Delicious! : Delicious Japanese food and other cuisines.
Happy! : Japanese hot springs and encounters with Japanese people.
Beautiful! : Beautiful scenery of Japan.
Funny! : Japan’s unique culture and customs.
Miracle! : Amazing and touching photos showing the recovery and reconstruction of the earthquake affected north of Japan.
Those interested in entering the contest can submit their WOW! photos of Japan in three ways:
1) Submit to the official contest site
2) Submit from Facebook
3) Submit from the official contest smartphone app
Grand prizes include All-you-can-eat-sushi at a Michelin Two Star restaurant, shopping in Harajuku with a “Kawaii Ambassador,” a 1-day ninja experience, and many more. All prizes include a flight to Japan and accommodation. Photographers also have a chance to win specialty goods from the Tohoku/North Kanto area awarded to the best photo taken in the region.
The Japan Photo Contest runs from September 1, 2012 to February 15, 2013. Winners will be announced in March 2013. For more information, check out the official contest website.
Source: Japan Photo Contest

Studio Ghibli-themed photo contest is showcasing and giving away adorable Ghibli merch
Capcom Japan offering limited edition ‘blood pillow’ prize to Phoenix Wright fans
Shonen Jump + now taking manga submissions from Japan and abroad in new contest
First annual Osaka Pop Festival offers cosplay contest, mascot design prizes and more
Win a large intestine scarf from one of Japan’s leading enema manufacturers
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Tourists brave Typhoon Jangmi to queue at two famous sites in Tokyo
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
Starbucks Japan unveils new Frappuccino showcasing “mottainai” culture
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever muscat-flavoured chilled cup drink
What’s it like to join Tokyo’s walking-and-talking-with-strangers club for a day?
Starbucks Japan has a mesh bag so cute it’s a sell-out hit
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Video of man spraying liquid on conveyor belt sushi leads to arrest in Japan
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
What’s up with the Ghibli Park photo and video ban?
Japan’s adorable pudding chick becomes a transit card mascot
The Japan Burger Championship 2026 in Yokohama next month is the ultimate battle of the beef
Mr. Sato takes a walk on Tokyo’s American-style street to get some American/Japanese ice cream
Osaka is hosting a “hentai” event, but it’s probably not what you think
Sushi Pizza surprises diners in one of the best food destinations in Japan
Starbucks Japan has a problem with its sell-out breakfast that might annoy solo diners
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
11th annual Mister International contest crowns its most handsome winner【Photos】
Japanese news agency under fire for announcing Nobel Prize goes “to foreigners”
Terrifying Pokémon fan art fails to win card design contest, succeeds at scaring everyone【Photos】
Cute animal bottoms now on display — It’s Shiba Dog Maru’s Puriketsu Contest!
Anime-style novel contest in Japan bans alternate reality stories and teen protagonists
Sushiro joining forces with Street Fighter for discounts and contests
Universal Studios Japan launches mask cosplay contest for Halloween
Announcing the winners of the RocketNews24 Pikachu ramen giveaway contest!
McDonald’s Japan offers customers chance to win gold fries
Toyota’s dance craze contest invites you to Wakudoki your way to Tokyo【Video】
Trick or Treat! A concise guide to Halloween attractions in Japan
Japan asked to vote on what to officially call insanely hot days
Japan Legal Wedding service offers a path for travelers to hold destination weddings in Japan
Pokémon photo spots popping up in center of Japan’s third-biggest city for Japan Railway event
Travis Japan members compete with the best dancers in Japan at Red Bull’s national dance finals
Our team of five reporters try to turn themselves into Japanese heartthrob Kimutaku【Photos】