#Japan #Tokyo #Mintetsu #LocalRailway #TaiwanRail

Local Railway Photo Contest 2025

The Japan Private Railway Association, led by President Kenhaku Sugiyama, is excited to announce the fifth iteration of the Local Railway Photo Contest 2025. This competition will run from July 19, 2025, to November 30, 2025, inviting submissions that capture the essence of local railways not only from Japan but also from Taiwan.

A Celebration of Railways

Since its inception in 2021, this contest has aimed to enhance public awareness of the charm and beauty of local railways. Last year's event attracted over 5,000 entries, highlighting the growing interest among photography enthusiasts and railway fans alike. This year, a special feature is the introduction of the Taiwan Award, allowing participants to focus specifically on the images showcasing Taiwan's railway operators, thanks to a promotional agreement signed with the Taiwan Railway Tourism Association.

Who Can Participate?

Anyone is welcome to submit photographs related to the 56 local Japanese railways and the nine railway operators from Taiwan. Submissions can include images of trains, stations, and scenic landscapes along train routes. Participants can submit their entries easily via Twitter (now known as X) or through the dedicated contest website.

How to Enter

Participants can choose from two methods to submit their works:
1. Via X: Follow the official contest page (@mintetsu_photo) and post your photo with the hashtags #LocalRailwayPhotoContest and #LocalRailwayCompanyName or #TaiwanRailTravel. It's important for guardians to submit on behalf of those under 13 years old.
2. Via the Contest Website: Upload your photography work directly through the submission form available on the contest's dedicated website.

Judging Criteria

Entries will be judged by a panel of railway photographers and railway enthusiasts. Awards will be based on creativity, originality, and ability to capture the spirit of local railways. Winners in the contest will include the following:

• - Grand Prize: One individual will receive 50,000 yen in travel vouchers.
• - Judge’s Award: Two awardees will win either 20,000 yen in travel vouchers or digital devices.
• - Special Award: Five individuals will receive 10,000 yen travel vouchers.
• - Mintetsu Award: A total of 48 participants will each be awarded prepaid cards worth 3,000 yen.
• - Taiwan Award: A select number of entries focusing on Taiwanese railways will receive goods related to tourism in Taiwan.

Results Announcement

The winners will be revealed around February 2026 on the contest website and in the magazine Tate-to-Tetsudo’s April 2026 issue.

Foster Japan-Taiwan Relations

In line with this contest, a partnership agreement was made on July 20, 2024, with the Taiwan Railway Tourism Association. The agreement focuses on boosting tourism exchanges and regional revitalization revolving around railway travel. More details can be found on the Taiwan Railway Tourism Association website and the Taiwan Tourism Bureau.

This competition not only celebrates the enthusiastic spirit of photography and local railways but also fosters camaraderie between Japan and Taiwan, encouraging more people to explore and appreciate the beauty of these two countries' rail systems.