#Japan #Tokyo #Munich #German National Tourist Board #Travel Journalism

Winners of the German Tourism Media Award 2025

On December 12, 2025, the Japanese branch of the German National Tourist Board (DZT), headed by Akira Nishiyama, hosted the honors ceremony for the "German Tourism Media Award 2025" in Tokyo. This year marked the third iteration of the awards, an initiative launched in 2023 to recognize media excellence in promoting tourism to Germany.

In previous years, the focus of the awards was on sustainability in tourism. However, this year, the criteria expanded to include articles that present Germany as a high-quality and attractive travel destination overall, leading to a renaming of the award.

As international tourism experiences rapid growth in the post-COVID era, the competition among travel destinations has intensified. The German National Tourist Board emphasizes the unique and high-quality appeal of German tourist attractions and aims to enhance the image of Germany while stimulating interest in traveling there. The award thus seeks to publicly recognize exceptional articles that contribute to achieving these objectives.

Award Categories and Winners

For the 2025 awards, three categories were recognized: Grand Prize, Second Prize, and Judge's Special Prize. The winners were as follows:

• - Grand Prize: "Wings of the Kingdom" in-flight magazine of ANA by Manabu Yamashita

- Yamashita's article focuses on Munich, exploring urban greenery, natural environments, and the lives of its residents, presenting a unique perspective. It reflects a nuanced understanding of the historical and environmental context while representing a local viewpoint, which gives readers an engaging, multifaceted view of the city. The article's thoughtful approach to ethical urban greening and citizens’ coexistence with nature prompts universal questions about sustainable societies, ultimately creating an immersive reading experience.

• - Second Prize: "Mercedes-Benz Magazine" by Yoichi Minami

- This article is part of a series on exploring Germany, featuring the unique wine region of Rheinhessen. It carefully outlines the historical background and contemporary relevance of the region with a high-quality thematic focus. Minami successfully conveys the interpersonal connections within the wine community, fostering a desire in readers to experience the region for themselves. The riveting narrative and strong visual components enrich the reader's engagement.

• - Judge's Special Prize (1): "Discovering the Charm of Chemnitz: 2025 European Capital of Culture" by Makoto Okajima

- Okajima presents a compelling narrative that captivates readers while discussing the historical significance of Chemnitz and its current evolution. The article deepens the reader's understanding of the area's inherent value, moving beyond mere tourist information to explore the context behind the region's development.

• - Judge's Special Prize (2): "Once Upon a Fairytale: The Timbered Houses along the Fairytale Road" by Hiromi Suzuki

- This article transcends a simple travelogue by tracing the life of the Brothers Grimm and their connection to the Fairytale Road. Despite the theme being extensively documented, Suzuki's unique perspective allows readers to