
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
Ohaw? Ruibe? Pocche? While traveling in Japan’s north, we try Ainu cuisine for the first time
We recommend not buying one pack of Japan’s new convenience store corn soup-flavor fried chicken
Narita Airport Transit & Stay Program returns after six years with free tours and festival experiences
Japan’s double-decker portable rice cooker/bento maker is better than ever with new version
Wait, some Shinkansen trains already have private booths that only cost 1,500 yen for an hour?
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
German woman rescued from Mt. Fuji after suffering altitude sickness symptoms, hiking to peak anyway
The Japanese government is ending its Cool Japan Fund program
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
Japan’s Rabbit Island in danger of becoming Boar Island, tourists asked to follow feeding rules
7-Eleven Japan brings back best-selling flat croissant that became a hit on social media
Stay at a hotel with a bed for your plushie in Japan
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
11th annual Mister International contest crowns its most handsome winner【Photos】
Terrifying Pokémon fan art fails to win card design contest, succeeds at scaring everyone【Photos】
Japanese news agency under fire for announcing Nobel Prize goes “to foreigners”
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】
This awesome Japanese arcade chain has crane game coaches to help you win prizes
Trick or Treat! A concise guide to Halloween attractions in Japan
Japan asked to vote on what to officially call insanely hot days
Pokémon coming to Japan’s highway rest stops with exclusive merch and stamp rally this summer
Japan Legal Wedding service offers a path for travelers to hold destination weddings in Japan