IWATA "24 Solar Terms Photo Contest" Results Announced. We received many wonderful entries capturing moments that truly convey the "changing of the seasons."

Here are the winning entries from the photo contest held from August 1 to August 31, 2025. We selected 20 works with the hope of "passing on to future generations a Japan where people can enjoy the changing seasons."

Grand Prize Winner: Seimei (April 4 - 18) - Daisuke Shimabayashi - "Silent Prayer"

Selection Process: Contest Judge Sakura Matsutani (Photographer)

"I was moved by the sight of the cherry blossom tree basking in the sunlight. It was a picture that gently brought back memories of 'that spring' that everyone has seen somewhere, and I felt the unique warmth of Japan. Thank you for such a captivating work."

General Review of the Contest

"In this contest, there were many works that vividly conveyed the strong will and perspective of the photographers, which was very stimulating. Without relying on explanations, 'how to shoot' was clear, and that emotion permeated every corner of the screen. The warmth of those feelings reached the viewer directly, and I enjoyed appreciating each one with excitement."

Grand Prize Winner: "Silent Prayer" - Comment from Mr. Daisuke Shimabayashi

"I am deeply grateful for this wonderful award. Every year, the cherry blossoms are usually gone by the time the sun rises in this position in the photo, but this year, they bloomed about a week to ten days later than usual, allowing me to take this long-dreamed-of photograph."

The selected photos from this contest will be exhibited at IWATA's Tokyo and Kyoto stores on the following dates:

IWATA Tokyo Store: November 1 (Sat) - November 30 (Sun)
IWATA Kyoto Main Store: December 5 (Fri) - December 26 (Fri)
*Store locations and business hours are listed below.

List of Award-Winning Works (Presented in order of the 24 solar terms)

Usui (Rainwater) February 9 - March 4 - wimaru - "End of the Snow"

Keichitsu (Awakening of Insects) March 5 - 19 - Yuya Takada / getianwuzhou - "Spring Decorating You"

Seimei (Clear and Bright) April 4 - 18 - Daisuke Shimabayashi - "Silent Prayer"

Kokuu (Grain Rain) April 19 - May 4 - Yoshiyuki Watanabe - "Itoshima's Inverted Fuji"

Rikka (Start of Summer) May 5 - 19 - Akemi Nishiho - "Swimming in the Darkness"

Shōman (Grain Fills) May 20 - June 4 - Beichan - "Hydrangea and Rain Frog"

Bōshu (Grain in Ear) June 5 - 20 - wimaru - "Dancing in the Blue Twilight"

Shōsho (Lesser Heat) July 7 - 22 - Hiroaki Yoshida - "Tengu Descending"

Taisho (Greater Heat) July 23 - August 7 - Beichan - "Tamura Shrine's Mantosai Festival"

Risshū (Start of Autumn) August 8 - 22 - cinnamon.111 - "Signs of Autumn Dancing in the Sunset"

Shosho (End of Heat) August 23 - September 7 - @oboh0202 - "At the End of Summer"

Hakuro (White Dew) September 8 - 22 - yuki_snow811226 - "Summer Cradle"

Shūbun (Autumnal Equinox) September 23 - October 7 - yasumin6400 - "Wanting to Meet"

Kanro (Cold Dew) October 8 - 23 - @Shb_rk - "Autumn Light"

Sōkō (Frost's Descent) October 24 - November 7 - northern_sheep - "Golden Ginkgo"

Rittō (Start of Winter) November 8 - 21 - Beichan - "Daruma Sunrise and the Nippon Maru Sailing Ship"

Shōsetsu (Lesser Snow) November 22 - December 6 - ryosa58 - "Until It Burns Out"

Taisetsu (Greater Snow) December 7 - 21 - tsuyoshi - "Silently Falling"

Tōji (Winter Solstice) December 22 - January 5 - eiki_w - "Diamond Fuji"

Daikan (Greater Cold) January 20 - February 3 - eiki_w - "Fresh Snow on Fuji"

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Please experience profound relaxation and a refreshing awakening.

Japan's Four Seasons Photo Contest Overview

Please refer to the press release below.

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000036.000131403.html

Contest Judges

Sakura Matsutani (Photographer)
After working at a studio in Tokyo, she became a freelance location assistant and went independent in 2005. Her work includes advertising and editorial photography, 7 years of e-commerce photography, 13 years of pre-ceremony photos for Coming-of-Age Day, and live event photography. She also handles visual photography for IWATA.

Company Profile

IWATA Co., Ltd.
Address: 701-2 Osaka Zaimoku-cho, Aneyakoji-sagaru, Sakaimachi-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8102
TEL: 075-211-8321 FAX: 075-211-7537
https://www.iozon.co.jp