Canon's 59th Photo Contest: A Call for Creativity
Canon Marketing Japan Inc., under the leadership of President Masachika Adachi, is excited to announce the launch of the 59th Canon Photo Contest, aimed at amateur photography enthusiasts across Japan. The competition will run from May 7, 2025, to August 31, 2025, encouraging participants to submit their most impressive works across six distinct categories.
The Canon Photo Contest has a rich history, first established in 1953, and this year marks its 59th edition. The contest will accept entries in the following categories:
- - Open Category: Snapshots, documentary, and creative imagery
- - Nature Category: Natural landscapes, flowers, and wildlife
- - Motion Category: Railways, airplanes, boats, sports, and motorsports
- - Portrait Category: Portrait photography
- - Under 30 Category: Open theme, for participants born on or after May 7, 1994
- - Web Category: Open theme
Judging and Awards
All entries will be reviewed by a panel of professional photographers, and awards will be granted in each category, including Gold, Silver, and Bronze prizes, as well as honorable mentions. The most outstanding work among all submissions will receive the coveted Grand Prix award.
The jury will comprise renowned photographers such as Eiji Ina, Taichi Ozawa, Hiroshi Sakurai, Yurie Nagashima, Tatsuhiro Hada, and Yayoi Araimoto (for the Web category). The results will be announced on November 20, 2025, with prize winners notified by mid-October.
Submission Details
Participants can submit a maximum of 10 entries per category. While the print submissions for all categories (excluding the Web category) must be mailed and postmarked by the deadline, the Web category allows for digital submissions until 11:59 PM on the closing date. The competition primarily targets amateur photographers residing in Japan, and all works must be original, unpublished, and shot with cameras that have a sensor size not exceeding 35mm. Both color and monochrome images are accepted, and submissions will not be returned.
Looking Back at the Previous Contest
In the previous year's contest, the 58th Canon Photo Contest, a remarkable number of entries showcased the creativity of aspiring photographers. The Grand Prix was awarded to the stunning work titled "Himitsu" by Hoshidashiho from Kanagawa Prefecture in the Open Category.
How to Enter
For submissions to the Open, Nature, Motion, Portrait, and Under 30 Categories, interested parties can visit the Canon Photo Contest website (canon.jp/photocon) to download an application form. Printed works with the application attached should be sent to the specified address. For the Web Category, participants can submit their entries directly through the online application form available on the contest website.
Contact Information
All inquiries regarding the contest can be directed to:
Canon Business Support Co., Ltd.
59th Canon Photo Contest
1-7-2 Nakase, Mihama Ward, Chiba City, Chiba 261-8773, Japan
Phone: 0570-07-0098 (Weekdays 9 AM - 12 PM, 1 PM - 5 PM; Closed: Sat, Sun, Holidays)
For general inquiries, the Canon Photo Contest office can be reached at 043-211-9155 (direct). More information can be found on the contest's official website:
canon.jp/photocon.
Join the contest and take part in a tradition that celebrates the art of photography while showcasing your talent to the world!