Heads up, photo fans! It’s time to announce the winner of our weekly photo contest.
The number of professional-quality photos we received this week was nothing short of staggering, and it took a long, long time for us to decide on one overall winner (and of course three very honourable mentions!), but here we go…
Back when we were kids and our teachers would say things like “it was really hard to choose a winner,” we always thought it was BS to make the rest of us feel better, but now we’re the ones choosing, it’s suddenly not so easy.
After a lot of deliberation, however, we’re happy to announce that the winner of this week’s Pic of the Week is Logan Hussey with this perfectly timed photo taken in Kyoto’s Gion District. Congrats, Logan!
A moment in Gion

Honorable mentions
But of course, there were many more photos that left us smiling or feeling all warm and tingly. Once again a big thank-you to everyone who entered this week; you guys really aren’t making this easy for us, but for that we’re incredibly happy. As ever, please don’t be disheartened if your photo didn’t make it onto our site today–you never know, it could be here next week!
Keep the great photos coming in, guys and girls!
Colourful Jizo at Zōjō-ji, Tokyo

The Hikawa Maru

The Sky People

Think you could do better? Have a pic that would blow all other entries out of the water? Let’s see it! Go here to read the rules and find out how to enter. Oh, and just so you know, as of next week we’ll be mixing things up a little by letting you, our dear readers, choose the winning photo, so check back from next Monday and vote, vote, vote!
Until the next time!
Pic of the Week, Round 4: Winner!!
Pic of the Week Round 3: WINNER!
Pic of the Week, Round 5: Winner!
Pic of the Week, Round 1: WINNER!
It’s time to vote for this week’s Pic of the Week!
Krispy Kreme releases new limited-edition fox doughnuts at only four stores in Japan
Two new Sailor Moon art manhole covers are coming to Usagi’s real-world Tokyo neighborhood
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Gundam teams up with 300-year-old daruma maker for wood-carved anime mecha figures[Photos]
KFC Japan’s “The American Burgers” include a pile of guilt
Japanese government to allow desecration of flags on kids’ meals
Tokyo’s new extra-expensive ramen restaurant is dividing opinions, so we tried a bowl
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
Used chopsticks upgraded from “waste” to “valuable material” by Kawasaki City thanks to ChopValue
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
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】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
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]
Pic of the Week: Hey you, it’s time to vote! 【Update: Poll now closed】
It’s time to vote, vote, vote for your favourite photo!
Share your photos with us! RocketNews24 is now accepting submissions for Pic of the Week
Winners of manga magazine beauty contest no longer appear in bikinis at awards ceremony
Hotties from history: the geisha of Japan’s first beauty pageant【Photos】
Age ain’t nothing but a number! Japanese beauty pageant for women over 35 crowns newest winner
Japanese high school boys hold annual beauty pageant, look as cute as ever【Pics】
The “beautiful boy” Mister Bishoujo Contest is over, but who was crowned the prettiest boy?【Pics】
11th annual Mister International contest crowns its most handsome winner【Photos】
Quiz of the Week: Round 9 (It’s like a comb-over for your soul)
Quiz of the Week: Round 6 (Now made with the tears of sad children*)
It’s huge!! Win a copy of The Anime Encyclopedia 3rd Revised Edition! 【Contest closed】
Honda Fit and Weekly Shonen Jump magazine create stunning Japanese itasha manga car【Pics】
Mysterious meat-faced man shows up amongst Tokyo university beauty pageant entrants
Japan’s muscle idol continues to turn heads with body that looks like it could crush stone 【Pics】