#Japan #Tokyo #Tokyo Bay #Photography Contest #Marine Parks

Celebrate 50 Years of Marine Parks Through Photography

This year marks a significant milestone for the Marine Parks of Tokyo, as they celebrate their 50th anniversary. The first marine park, Odaiba Seaside Park, along with twelve others, opened its doors to the public, providing leisure and recreation alongside the stunning Tokyo Bay. To commemorate this occasion, the Tokyo Port Authority is hosting a Photography Contest, encouraging everyone to share their unique perspectives of these beautiful parks.

Contest Theme

The theme for the contest is “Your Favorite Marine Park”. Participants are invited to submit photographs taken within the marine parks or showcasing scenes from these scenic locations. With forty marine parks to capture, there’s plenty of inspiration to seek out.

Submission Period

Photographs can be submitted starting from November 27, 2023, until January 30, 2024. Make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to participate in this exciting event!

Who Can Enter?

The contest is open to anyone living in Japan, regardless of photography skill level—amateurs and professionals alike are welcome to submit their best captures.

How to Enter

Entries can be submitted through the Tokyo Port Authority's official website, specifically the dedicated 50th-anniversary section. Each participant is allowed to submit up to five photographs, and it is recommended to consolidate multiple entries into a single submission for ease.

Judging Categories

Submissions will be evaluated across three distinct categories:
1. Interaction in Marine Parks: This category appreciates the various elements of nature, sports, and recreation that portray the allure of marine parks.
2. Night Views and Lighting: Photographs capturing breathtaking nighttime scenes, including illuminations and park light displays.
3. Then and Now: This category invites photographers to juxtapose historic photographs taken in these parks (dating back to the Showa and Heisei eras) with current images from the same locations.

Prizes

Several awards will be given as follows:

• - Best Overall Award: One winner will receive a gift voucher worth 100,000 yen.
• - Umi no Morisuke Award: Two winners will receive gift vouchers worth 50,000 yen each.
• - Excellence Awards: Nine participants will be awarded gift vouchers worth 5,000 yen each, along with a small plushie of Umi no Morisuke.
• - Honorable Mentions: Ten entrants will receive a small plushie of Umi no Morisuke, celebrating their efforts.

Exhibition of Winning Entries

Winning photographs will be publicly displayed on the Tokyo Port Authority's official website and at various locations, including the first floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and the Tokyo Minato Rie Exhibition Room. Furthermore, the top entry will feature on the cover of the 2025 Marine Parks Guide.

Special Tour Invitation

Contest participants will have an opportunity to join a special cruise aboard the Tokyo Minato Maru. Those interested can enjoy scenic views of the marine parks while capturing more stunning photographs during the cruise, scheduled for March 14, 2024. Spaces will be limited to 25 groups, and selection will be made through a lottery in case of excess applications.

50th Anniversary Stamp Rally

In addition to the photography contest, a Stamp Rally is being held to encourage individuals to explore various marine parks. Running from November 8, 2023, to March 22, 2024, participants can earn special bookmarks by collecting stamps from ten participating parks. Parks include Odaiba Seaside Park and Kasai Seaside Park among others.

Don’t miss the chance to participate in these exciting events that honor the legacy and future of Tokyo's marine parks. For further details, visit the official websites for both the photography contest and the stamp rally, as well as the special 50th-anniversary page detailing the marine parks.