Babies and gentlephlegm, noise and churls, it’s time to announce the winner of our weekly photo contest!
This week, we mixed things up a little by asking you, our dear readers, to vote for which of our 10 favourite photos you thought most deserved to be crowned Pic of the Week, and the results are in! Join us after the jump for our overall winner and two very special mentions!
Congratulations to our winner this week, Weizhong Deng, whose stunning photo secured a whopping 22% of the vote.
Taken at Itsukushima Shrine in Japan’s Hiroshima Prefecture, the photo captures the silhouettes of both the magnificent torii gate and some of the area’s many tourists, who look positively tiny standing alongside the enormous structure.
“Scale”
Honourable mentions
But of course, there were plenty of other great photos sent in this week. Here are our two runners up, who claimed 16 and 15 percent of the vote, respectively.
“On Duty”

“Shirakawago”

Congratulations to you all!
Think you could do better? You’re in luck, because we’re running this contest every week. Go here to read the rules and find out how to enter. The 10 top entries for next week’s contest will be put up for public vote on Monday, with the overall winner being chosen on Wednesday, September 3! Until the next time!

Pic of the Week: Hey you, it’s time to vote! 【Update: Poll now closed】
Pic of the Week, Round 4: Winner!!
Pic of the Week, Round 5: Winner!
Pic of the Week, Round 1: WINNER!
Pic of the Week Round 2: WINNER!
Shinto shrine gate parfaits that tell your fortune now being served in Tokyo
New Transforming Business Card case brings anime mecha to Japanese work meetings
Studio Ghibli adds new finger puppets to its anime merchandise collection in Japan
Go to hell! …at a limited time historical art exhibit coming to Osaka
Lego PlayStation recreates Sony’s original console, makes unusual choice for games to salute
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
New Japanese ice cream is Ballin, in more ways than one
New Pokémon anniversary song is 22 minutes long, features all 1,025 Pokémon species [Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new coffee table book featuring 18 of the most unique stores around the country
Kobe middle schools begin abolishing extracurricular activities, shift to community programs
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
Japan’s first fall color forecast for 2026 is here!
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
One Piece Day 2026 brings new art, music, and new cast announcements
Tamagotchi evolves into a ring for its 30th anniversary, preorders now open
Starbucks Japan reveals new Tsukimi Moon-Viewing drinkware and gifts for autumn 2026
Family Mart releases Famima convenience store products nationwide, but which ones are worth buying?
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
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
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]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
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】
It’s time to vote for this week’s Pic of the Week!
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
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】
Announcing the winners of our Anime Encyclopedia 3rd Revised Edition giveaway!
The “beautiful boy” Mister Bishoujo Contest is over, but who was crowned the prettiest boy?【Pics】
The weird and wonderful Quiz of the Week: Round 3
Announcing the winners of the RocketNews24 Pikachu ramen giveaway contest!
It’s huge!! Win a copy of The Anime Encyclopedia 3rd Revised Edition! 【Contest closed】
Announcing the winners of our RocketNews24 x TokyoTreat KitKat Collection Box giveaway!