Discover the Allure of Kobe Through the 4th Photo Contest Featuring Hidden Gems

Exploring the 4th Photography Contest in Kobe

The Kobe Tourism Bureau is thrilled to announce its collaboration with the renowned Tokyo Camera Club to launch the 4th Photo Contest aimed at celebrating the beauty of Kobe through photography. This initiative, part of the growing trend in phototourism, invites participants to capture the essence of Kobe from September 7 to December 14, 2026.

The contest follows the successful third edition, which saw a remarkable 8,900 submissions. This year, participants are encouraged to discover and photograph lesser-known yet captivating spots in the city, collectively helping to unveil Kobe's unique charm to a broader audience.

Contest Overview

1. Theme: The goal is to capture breathtaking scenes that inspire viewers to explore Kobe with their cameras in hand. Participants are invited to share photographs of hidden treasures that they believe deserve more recognition.

2. Submission Period: From September 7 until December 14, 2026, amateur and professional photographers alike can submit their entries showcasing the beauty of Kobe.

3. Judging and Results: The results will be announced in mid-March 2026 through the official contest website and the Kobe Photo Spot website. Participants are encouraged to stay tuned for updates.
- Contest site: Tokyo Camera Club
- Kobe Photo Spot site: Feel Kobe

4. How to Enter: Interested photographers can follow the official accounts of the Kobe Camera Trip and Tokyo Camera Club on Instagram. They need to tag their submissions with the hashtag #カメラと旅する神戸.

5. Prizes:
- One Grand Prize winner will receive a ¥30,000 coupon for lodging and dining in Kobe.
- Nine Exceptional Prize winners will be awarded Kobe-themed goods and sightseeing passes. Winning photographs will also earn their photographers the title of 'Kobe Photo Meister 2027,' potentially leading to future photography projects with the tourism bureau.

6. Exhibition and Mapping:
- The top ten submissions from last year will be showcased at the Tokyo Camera Club 2026 Exhibition in Shibuya from September 19-22, 2026. Entry is free, and no reservation is required.
- Furthermore, a Photo Spot Map detailing the locations of last year's winning shots will be distributed starting September 7 at key tourism information centers across Kobe. This year, 2,000 copies will be made available to the public.

The Tokyo Camera Club is a leading platform that allows anyone to share their photographic creations freely. With around 15,000 daily submissions, it has amassed a substantial following on various social media platforms, totaling approximately 5.76 million followers and over 77 million photographs uploaded.

For additional details about the contest or the exhibition, make sure to visit the respective official websites. This initiative not only showcases the beauty of Kobe but also brings photographers together to create lasting memories through the lens of their cameras.

The Previous Year’s Grand Prize Winner

Last year’s top entry, titled “Another BE KOBE”, creatively captured the enchanting silhouette of the “BE KOBE” sign against a dramatic golden sunset, illustrating the potential beauty found in Kobe's landscapes.

Do not miss this opportunity to explore and represent Kobe through your viewpoint!