Award-Winning Photo Gallery 2020

• The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award
  “Thank You for Waiting!”　HASEGAWA Yuji
  Saga, Karatsu City [Karatsu Kunchi・Yoiyama]

  Karatsu Kunchi is an annual autumn festival of Karatsu Shrine held between 2 and 4 November. On the first day, there is a fantastic parade of Yoiyama floats illuminated by paper lanterns. The excitement of the float carriers together with the spectators reaches a climax. They waited for this for one year. Although canceled this year, I join many participants looking forward to celebrating the festival again next year after waiting for two years.
  
  Comment by SHIMIZU Tetsuro : Karatsu Kunchi festival has been recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. The photographer captured a Yoiyama float lit with paper lanterns. Looking at the expression of float draggers, local citizens and tourists, I felt as if their joy and exhilaration were transmitted to me. It is regrettable that the festival was canceled this year to prevent the infection of the novel corona virus pandemic, but as I look at this photograph I feel as if I am hearing the passionate shouting of “Enya, enya!” and energized. This photograph gives us courage and hope.

• The Minister of the Environment Award
  “Splendid Jump”　SASAKI Koki
  Saga, Ogi City [The Kaiyu Fureai Park]

  The Ariake Sea is the biggest mudflat in Japan, where Mutsugoro or the blue-spotted mudskipper is a symbolic creature of this sea. Its courtship season begins in the latter half of May when the male Mutsugoro actively jumps in front of a female as an act of courtship. The timing of shooting I had chosen was when sea became low tide from high tide while the sun’s rays coming in diagonally creating a strong shadow of the jumping Mutsugoro.
  
  Comment by SHIMIZU Tetsuro : The Ariake Sea has the largest tidal level difference between low tide and high tide. Mutsugoro in breeding season appears during low tide which lasts for six hours. The photographer shot with a high-speed shutter just the right moment when a Mutsugoro jumped out for courting. It is only during the courting season that we can see such a vigorous jumping of Mutsugoro. This picture wonderfully depicts Mutsugoro’s easy facial expression, the exquisite spreading of the dorsal, tail, and pectoral fins and the turbulent wake in the muddy water.

• The Central Japan Railway Company President Award
  “Town for the Coming and Going”　ITO Masaru
  Tokyo, Ota City [JR Tokaido Shinkansen, Shinagawa Station – Shin-Yokohama Station]

  Japan Railway’s Tokaido Shinkansen bullet trains are very convenient and familiar transportation for Tokyo residents who love to travel to Kyoto and Nara. This year while I have been refraining from traveling due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, I was suddenly urged to take photos. I used to enjoy taking pictures of Shinkansen bullet trains crisscrossing with each other in the urban area where buildings are stacked close together. Feeling nostalgia for such happy memories, I went to this place and took this picture. I think many people who travel by train going east and west can relate to this photo.
  
  Comment by SHIMIZU Tetsuro: What is impressive about this photo is the twin tower buildings standing against the Tanzawa Mountains at sunset. Human eyes cannot see views like this but it is possible for a telescope lens that captures distant objects and brings them closer. I can see how the photographer made excellent use of the compression effect of the telescope lens, bringing many aspects of the foreground and background together. In addition, the photographer chose just the right moment when two Shinkansen trains passed by each other, depicting the photographer’s passion for a perfect balance. A breathtakingly wonderful picture.

• The Japan Travel and Tourism Association Chairman Award
  “Good Friends”　ITO Naomi
  Tottori, Tottori City [Nagase no Oshidare-zakura]

  This giant old weeping cherry tree in Nagase is more than 400 years old and it is designated as the Tottori prefecture’s natural monument. Under this cherry tree in full blossom, I happened to meet four children who had just graduated from the local kindergarten. The old giant cherry tree was such a good contrast to the children’s lovely young characters that I asked for their permission to take this picture. The joyous feeling, of capturing the smiling and jumping children in contrast with the old cherry tree in full blossom, still lingers.
  
  Comment by SHIMIZU Tetsuro: Nothing could be better than the big smiles of children jumping hand in hand under that old weeping cherry tree, which is designated as Tottori prefecture’s natural monument. The photograph captures the children’s joy and presents a permanent record for their families to enjoy. This is an unusual time when we are required to keep distance between not only other people but also its families. This picture tells us once again what is important even though we live in such a difficult period. I am moved to think that perhaps this old giant cherry tree has witnessed many local events during its long life.

• First Place
  “Spring Light”　IGUCHI Koshi
  Mie, Tsu City [Mitake no Sakura]

  The wild cherry tree-lined road in Mitake has been chosen as one of 100 country-designated scenic spots. I took this photo just after the rain, when the lights through the hazy sky became much softer. There is no other place from where you can take the picture of gorgeous cherry trees in full blossom together with neatly maintained terraced rice paddy fields. I wish many people would see this scenery, which is the product of the Japanese culture achieved over a long period of time.

• First Place
  “Gathering at Remote Station”　ITO Masaaki
  Iwate, Sumita Town [JR Kamaishi Line, Kamiarisu Station]

  Originally Kamiarisu Station was constructed for the transportation of Limestone. Today it is an unmanned station except for the day when SL Galaxy Express makes a shortstop. During the five minutes call, passengers get off onto the platform and the crew of the Express train helps passengers take commemorative photos. At the sound of the conductor’s whistle, passengers jump back onto the train, and as the whistle sound echoes into the mountains, Kamiarisu station reverts back to being an unmanned station.

• Second Place
  “Wow!”　KAWAMURA Kazuhiko
  Osaka, Toyonaka City [Itami Airport]

  As I live near Itami Airport, airplanes are an everyday subject of my photography. Nevertheless one day, I was stunned to see a passenger plane landing that appeared to be coming out of a tree, very close to the parking lot in my neighborhood. I was overwhelmed by the power of the plane which I had never experienced before. Then, I wondered how I could express this power, and after trial and error, I finally found a good spot by the intersection of the airport underpass from where I could capture the power of the plane landing.

• Second Place
  “Sound of Spring”　SATO Shigeyuki
  Akita, Yurihonjo City [Momoyake Village]

  Momoyake Village in Chokaimachi, Yurihonjo City, will sink into the dam lake by 2028. I visited the village to record life there as it is now, when all at once I saw a huge “Blambling” birds (Fingilla montifringilla). They were flying boisterously and violently as if training for the migration that is to come soon. The wonder of this spectacle took my breath away as I was watching the fierce wild power in this disappearing peaceful village in spring.

• Second Place
  “Train at Dusk”　HIROSE Yasuyuki
  Osaka, Higashiosaka City [Kintetsu Keihanna Line, Shin-ishikiri Station]

  To take the photo of the vicinity of Shin-Ishikiri Station at dusk, I went up to a slightly elevated place at the foot of Mt. Ikoma. I found this to be the best shooting position to take the photo of the station with cherry blossoms of a private house in the foreground. I positioned my camera just outside the fence of the house. When the sky reflected the evening glow of the sunset and the city lights began to be illuminated, the house owner came out to talk with me, “This is a really beautiful view, isn’t it?” It was a cool urban autumn evening with a comfortable breeze.

• Third Place
  “A Volley of Shooting”　KOGUCHI Tsuyoshi
  Okayama, Kurashiki City [Kumano Shrine, Autumn Festival]

  The old-fashioned artillery demonstration by the Okayama Castle Gun Corps is performed at the Autumn Grand Festival at Kumano Shrine on the eve of the main festival after the Shinto rituals. Around sunset, in front of the Three-storied Pagoda, the performance began. In the weak light of dusk, the sparks from the guns looked distinctively beautiful. I think this is a really powerful photograph.

• Third Place
  “Put on a Mask, Streetcar As Well”　IWAMA Hiroshi
  Hokkaido, Sapporo City [Sapporo Streetcar, Nishi Yonchome Stop]

  Everyone is fighting the novel coronavirus. Even the streetcars in Sapporo are participating in these efforts, not only by cleaning inside the cars but also by wearing a face mask itself! Walkers and the streetcar are all wearing masks so that we could get over this difficult time together.

• Third Place
  “Running Through the Wetland”　MIYATA Yoshiaki
  Hokkaido, Akkeshi Town [JR Nemuro Line, Itoizawa Station – Akkeshi Station]

  The Bekanbeushi Wetland has been registered in the Ramsar Convention as part of Lake Akkeshi and Bekanbeushi Wetland. Because JR Nemuro Line trains run through this wetland only six times a day, the opportunities to photograph the train are limited. In addition, the spot that I had chosen looked like a place where wild bears could come by. Looking at this grand scenery, however, I forgot everything else, other than the scenery in front of me and taking pictures.

• Third Place
  “Evening Scenery of Mt. Asama”　SAKAGAMI Sonosuke
  Nagano, Komoro City [Mt. Asama]

  I took this picture on the top of Kurofu Mountain, 2404m above sea level. Kurofu is one of the mountains in the outer rim of Mt. Asama. From this spot, I could see a clear view of the majestic figure of Mt. Asama emitting volcanic plume. I was overwhelmed by the splendid vista that opened out in front of me. As the sun began to set, Mt. Asama began to glow a bright orange reflecting the setting sun in midwinter. When the full moon came in sight, I was thrilled to press the shutter button.

• U-22 Award
  “Trip to a Stratum Exposed in the Fault”　SAKURAI Toshiaki
  Tokyo, Oshima Town [Stratum Section]

  This colorful stratum section in Izu Oshima Island consists of accumulated deposits , such as volcanic ash. It is fondly called “Baumkuchen”. In the evening I was fortunate enough to take the picture of the stratum dyed in orange by the setting sun together with a bright yellow bus passing by. I heard that the bus came all the way from Chiba prefecture, and now, as a transplant, living its second life. Oshima is part of Tokyo Metropolitan, but it is a distinct place where I could feel the dynamism of the earth. The grandeur of the sight urges me to revisit again and again.

• Winner
  “Run Through the Morning Mist”　OGINO Etsuo
  Kanagawa, Matsuda Town [Odakyu Odawara Line, Shin-matsuda Station – Kaisei Station]

  I used to work as a train driver for JR when it was called “Kokutetsu” or Japan National Railway. Even today, in-between farm work, my love for electric trains is reflected in the subjects of my photography. There is a vision I have long wanted to capture: the picture of Odakyu Romancecar passing the Sakawagawa Bridge through morning mist with its mirror image reflected on the surface of the water. Finally in winter 2019, a perfect moment had come to realize my vision. I was just absorbed in clicking the shutter.

• Winner
  “Carp-Shaped Streamer in the River”　HASE Toshihiro
  Tottori, Tottori City [Mochigase Koinobori-Nagashi Event]

  From 1 to 5 May every year, about a hundred carp streamers are seen swimming in the clear stream of River Seto, which runs through the town of Mochigase. This event was voluntarily planned and carried out by local people for the purpose of town revitalization to attract tourists. Carp streamers, provided by local people, are fixed to the bed of the stream and are displayed together with a miniature water wheel or a boat carrying decorative samurai warrior figurines.

• Winner
  “Struggle with Snow of Konan Railways”　TERADA Hirokazu
  Aomori, Hirakawa City [Konan Railway, Konan Line, Tsugaruonoe Station – Onoe Koko Mae Station]

  In winter 2019, I was going to ride on the first train of the Konan Line of Konan Railway, when I came across a snowplow locomotive. It was not for show, but an active duty locomotive. When the 1923 electric locomotive pulled the black Russel snowplow in front of me, with snow piling upon it, I was thrilled with my good luck. I forgot the severe cold and was just enchanted with its beauty and power. Then, controlling my excitement, I pressed the shutter of the camera.

• Winner
  “Heading for Tomorrow”　NAMIKI Tatsuro
  Tokyo, Ota City [Haneda Airport]

  If you go to Haneda Airport in late February, you can view the sun setting over Mt. Fuji. I was taking pictures from the observation deck when I wanted to take a picture of an airplane. By chance, I found a good spot from where I captured an airplane taking off while the setting sun was just behind Mt. Fuji. It seemed that the airplane taking off for the next destination was being observed by Mt. Fuji and the setting sun.

• Winner
  “Spring in Full Blossom”　SUGIURA Masayuki
  Tokushima, Komatsushima City [JR Mugi Line, Awa-Akaishi Station]

  I headed for Awa-Akaishi Station of Mugi Line in Tokushima prefecture early in the morning to take the photo of the cherry trees in full blossom and the train. I was going to shoot the picture of cherry blossoms from the south side of the station. From that position, I had a view of the curved rail lines, platform, and trains, when unexpectedly, a passenger just came, greeted the conductor and boarded the train. This completed the scene; the cherry blossoms with the train catching the light of the morning sun and a passenger’s everyday life in one picture.

• Winner
  “Bridge Construction by Two Multi-Wheeled Trailers” 　MASUDA Koji
  Aichi, Nagoya City [Nagoya Ring Road No. 2]

  The Nagoya Daini Kanjyo Expressway, so-called Ring Road No. 2, is under construction. One night I went out there and instead of the conventional mobile cranes, I saw two multi-wheeled vehicles being used for the bridge construction. All kinds of expressway construction works were going on. Transporting and lifting the piers for the bridge by these multi-wheels vehicles were all computerized. I was impressed by their precise activity. I was also fascinated by how construction workers involved in highway building are working hard at engineering complicated structures.

• Winner
  “Protecting the Main Line” (Set of Four Photographs)　FUKUDA Naoto
  Shiga, Yasu City [JR Tokaido Shinkansen, Maibara Station – Kyoto Station]

  This set of four photographs depict “the Doctor of Shinkansen”. Because of its vivid yellow color, it is also called Doctor Yellow as it monitors the condition of the Shinkansen track and various other related facilities while in operation. The current Doctor Yellow is the third generation for the 700 Series Shinkansen. However, since I have heard that there will be no next-generation train, Doctor Yellow will be the last of its generation. I go out frequently to take the last photos of Doctor Yellow running through Omi, my home region.

• Winner
  “Departure”　TAMURA Atsushi
  Hyogo, Kobe City [Kobe Airport]

  I went out to Kobe Ohashi Great Bridge to take a photo of the Luxury Cruise Liner “Asuka II”. Then wishing to take the picture of the cruise ship passing through the Akashi Strait, I rushed to the observation deck of Kobe Airport. When I reached there gasping, the Asuka II was passing through the Akashi Strait. Just as I was about to take the picture, an airplane was taking off, and just when its tail lamp was lit (white strobe) I pressed the shutter.

• Winner
  “Popular Transportation”　OHASHI Kazuhito
  Gifu, Motosu City [Tarumi Railway, Midori Station]

  When the Tarumi Railway Line was going to be discontinued, it was the voice of the local people who lived along the railway line that reversed the decision and made it possible to continue its operation. Since then, Tarumi Railway Line has been supporting the everyday life of local people. Perhaps this train is the most popular character in the Tarumi district. I hope this picture depicts how closely Japanese railroads, railway workers, and local people are inter-connected.

• Winner
  “Locomotive in the Winter’s Wetland Line”　TAKAHASHI Kazuyuki
  Hokkaido, Kushiro Town [JR Senmo Line, Kushiroshitsugen Station – Toro Station]

  “SL Winter-Wetland-Train” is a special sightseeing train towed by a steam locomotive that is operated only during winter. From the train windows, you will likely see wild Yezo deer and red-crowned cranes in the snowfield. For a photography spot, I chose a high ground looking down across the whole vista of the Kushiro Wetland. I could see the Kushiro River meandering through the wetland. The SL locomotive dashing along the Kushiro River looked so gallant and wonderful.

• Winner
  “Festival in the Mountain Village”　SHIRAISHI Nobuo
  Ehime, Uchiko Town [Mishima Shrine, Autumn Festival]

  In the mountain village of Uchiko, there is a traditional autumn festival of Mishima Shrine. This grand festival involves “shagiri” (parading by kids with musical accompaniment) and “shishimai” (lion dance) that are dedicated to the Shrine. Elementary school children disguised as monkeys and foxes perform a funny dance to the accompaniment of pipes and drums. After the monkey dance, two foxes appear making it the highlight of shagiri parade. I sincerely hope this traditional mountain village festival will continue for a long time.

• Winner
  “Great People”　MURATA Shigeru
  Tochigi, Nikko City [Tobu Kinugawa Line, Okuwa Station – Shin-takatoku Station]

  Togawa River Bridge of Tobu Railway is registered as a cultural entity by the local public body. As the SL Taiju train is passing over the bridge, behind it we see the replica of the gigantic sculptured faces of four American presidents at Mount Rushmore. This replica was the feature of a theme park that has since closed. I was fortunate enough to take this picture when I did because a moment later, the presidents’ faces would have been hidden behind the smoke from the steam locomotive.

• Winner
  “Inspection for Safety Operation”　KURUMA Keiji
  Tokyo, Arakawa City [Japan Freight Railway, Sumidagawa Station]

  Neatly aligned in different colors are the electric locomotive cargo trains. Freight trains are the basis of the distribution of goods across Japan. I saw a freight train driver carefully inspecting the locomotive for safety operation before he got on the train. As I looked at him, I sensed his strong sense of pride and responsibility.

• Winner
  “Fixed Well!”　MORITA Eiichi
  Saitama, Kawagoe City [Koedo Kawagoe Spring Festival]

  The ladder-top stunt is a traditional performance at the opening of the Koedo Kawagoe Spring Festival. Performers are members of Kawagoe Scaffold Constructors’ Association. Their extraordinary performance is lively and at the same time amusing like a circus act. The performers’ sense of balance was so exquisite that viewers were never bored. It was thrilling enough to make my heart race, but I managed to shoot this picture, which caught the most crucial exquisite moment of the performance.

• Winner
  “Bullet Train”　TATEISHI Kazuyoshi
  Tokyo, Kita City [JR Tohoku Shinkansen, Ueno Station – Omiya Station]

  I once saw two Bullet Trains linked together at Tokyo Station. Since then I have wanted to take the bird’s-eye shot of Series E5 and E6 connected. It was after ten years that I finally identified the place where I can have such a vantage spot. This was at the observation lobby of Hokutopia Building, a symbolic tower building of Kita City located near JR Oji Station. Because I wanted to exclude unnecessary details, I was going to use a telephoto lens. I was unable to use a tripod there, so it took a lot of time, but finally, I shot this picture.

• Winner
  “Mountain Asceticism”　IKUTA Mamoru
  Fukuoka, Soeda Town [Hikosan Tree Planting Festival]

  Mt. Hikosan is known as the training place of “Shugendo”, a Japanese mountain asceticism and worship of holy mountain. Recently the forest has been devastated due to typhoons and other natural disasters. In order to revitalize the forest, Hikosan Shrine hosted a tree-planting festival. The place for planting the saplings was located 1100m above sea level. I climbed to the place with the chief priest and other Shugendo followers. As expected, especially as a mountain for ascetic training, the mountain path was very steep, and I quickly got out of breath. Sometimes it takes vitally physical effort to take the perfect picture.

• Winner
  “Vitality of Northern End, Tonami”　KIDOBA Takayuki
  Aomori, Higashidoori Village [Shiriyazaki]

  “Kandachime” refers to workhorses but now living in the wild. This herd of Kandachime is seen grazing all year round in natural grassland, even withstanding the harsh cold winter. Behind the grazing Kandachime lies Tsugaru Strait and a ship, and the white Shiriyazaki lighthouse solemnly watching attentively over the herd. All of these features have contributed to the development of this barren “Tonan” region in Shimokita Peninsula. Attracted by the beautiful landscape many tourists visit. Looking at this lovely scenery, an old Chinese phrase came to my mind: “South Ship North Horse” meaning a lot of traveling.

• Winner
  “World Record Snake”　UEKI Hajime
  Niigata, Sekikawa Village [Echigosekikawa Great Snake Festival]

  This giant snake made of rice straw and bamboo is 82.8m long. It is listed in the Guinness Book as the longest snake in the world. The length is to commemorate the fatally disastrous flood “Uetsu Heavy Flood” on August 28, 1967. I tried my best to include in this picture the whole figure of the snake and its 500 carriers, as well as tourists taking pictures with their smartphone. I was hoping that this picture would give the viewers a feeling of being there, in person.

• Winner
  “It Was a Good Day to Play in the Mud”　MASUDA Tetsuko
  Kumamoto, Aso County [Minamiaso Village]

  Minamiaso Village in the Kumamoto region suffered extensive damage from a severe earthquake in April 2016. I visited the village in May of last year and took the picture of a boy playing with mud in front of the rice paddies that have just been planted with new seedlings. I saw a family helping each other and coexisting with nature. As I was looking at children’s innocent smiles, I thought that this joy must have been the source of adults’ energy. And I took courage from their perseverance, as they steadily strove to reconstruct their life.

• Winner
  “A Buddhist Pilgrimage”　SHIBASAKI Shizuo
  Ehime, Ozu City [Kinzan Shussekiji Temple]

  Kinzan Shussekiji Temple, also popularly known as the Temple of Hydrangea, is number 7 of Saigoku’s 20 Kan’non Pilgrimage temples in the Kinki area. I visited the temple expecting to see the fog after the rain. In addition, I saw wet hydrangea blossoms shining beautifully in the fog as a pilgrim passed by me. The fantastic atmosphere of the pilgrimage was great. I am always impressed with the back of each pilgrim, which I feel tells the story of his or her “journey of life”.

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