Call for Entry
"Sakura & Friendship"
Cherry Blossom Photography Contest
Guest Judge: Jason Hamacher (Lost Origin Gallery, Washington D.C.)
Presented by the Japan Information & Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan
Background
Each spring, Japan comes alive with the breathtaking yet ephemeral beauty of cherry blossoms, or sakura (桜), which have long been cherished as a symbol of renewal and a deep connection to nature.
This seasonal marvel is celebrated through hanami (花見), or flower viewing. The beloved, centuries-old tradition draws friends and families together under the blooming trees to savor seasonal delicacies
and reflect on the fleeting beauty of life.
Across the ocean in Washington, D.C., over 1.5 million visitors gather each year to admire the iconic cherry blossoms,
a living symbol of the Japan-U.S. friendship. The U.S. tradition began in 1912 with Japan's gift of cherry trees to the U.S.
and has since blossomed into the National Cherry Blossom Festival—a month-long celebration of spring and cultural exchange,
where Japanese traditions are shared and enjoyed by residents and tourists alike.
Call for Entry
Ahead of the 2025 National Cherry Blossom Festival (March 20 to April 13, 2025), the JICC is excited to announce the long-awaited return of its Cherry Blossom Photography Contest.
We invite you to submit your cherry blossom-themed photographs taken in the United States or Japan that capture the essence of cherry blossoms as a symbol of Japan-U.S. friendship.
This contest is open to all residents of the United States and the U.S. territories.
We encourage participants to look beyond the traditional beauty of cherry blossoms and explore unique perspectives that highlight their role as a bridge between Japan and the United States.
Whether through an unexpected angle, a compelling story, or an artistic composition, we welcome creative and innovative interpretations that celebrate this unshakeable connection. Winners'
and selected photos will be displayed in the gallery at the JICC, Embassy of Japan, and planned to travel to other esteemed venues.
Exhibition Dates and Locations
February 17th to March 14th, 2025, at the JICC, Embassy of Japan
Award Ceremony (Invitation only)
February 21st, 5PM to 6PM in the JICC auditorium
Rules
Deadline: Designs must be received electronically to jicc@ws.mofa.go.jp by January 12th, 2025 at 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time.
Eligibility: The contest is open to US residents including the U.S. territories. (For entrants under the age of 13, written parental or guardian consent is required.)
Regulations:
Photos must be submitted by entrants who have the legal rights to the content, even if they are not the original creators.
Submissions must NOT include entirely or partially AI-generated content. Submissions must NOT be directly sourced from other
materials or artworks protected by copyright without proper authorization. Entrants are responsible for ensuring they hold the
rights to the submitted photo. Any submissions suspected of plagiarism, copyright infringement, or the use of AI-generated content will be disqualified without prior notice.
- Entries will not be accepted unless submitted via the official contest channel. Entries not submitted through the proper channel will be disqualified.
- Entries will be reviewed by the judges appointed by the Embassy of Japan. All decisions are final. The Embassy of Japan reserves the right to disqualify any entry that is deemed inappropriate or does not conform to stated contest rules.
- Submissions will not be accepted once the deadline lapses.
- The prize must be collected by the winner and is nontransferable.
- By entering the contest, entrants agree to the below Usage Rights.
Usage Rights:
The entrant retains ownership of all intellectual and industrial property rights to their photo submission.
As a condition of entry, the entrant grants the JICC, Embassy of Japan, a worldwide, transferable, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to use,
reproduce, publish, distribute, publicly perform, and publicly display the photo for any purpose, including but not limited to display on the JICC
website, social media platforms, and gallery exhibitions, with proper attribution to the entrant.
Submissions:
Submissions must be received in digital format to jicc@ws.mofa.go.jp (see below for accepted file types). Only one (1) photograph will be allowed per person.
In the SUBMISSION EMAIL, please include:
- Photographer’s Name
- Residence of the photographer- City, State/Territory/Prefecture, Country
- “Title” of your photo
- Location of the photo taken- City, State/Territory/Prefecture, Country
- Year of the photo taken
- Brief description of the photo
- If under the age of 13: Written Parental or Guardian Consent
Accepted File Types and Size:
- Submissions must be received in .JPG and .JPEG ONLY. Any other file types are not accepted.
- File must be under 10MB (or approximately 24 x 18 inches at 300dpi). (Winners may be asked to resubmit the same work in higher resolution.)
- The submitted image file name must include the photographer’s first name, last name initial, and the abbreviation of their state/territory of residence.
- ex) Jane Embassy who is from Kentucky submitting a photo would name the file Jane_E_KY.jpg.
- ex2) Maria Flores who is from Guam submitting a photo would name the file Maria_F_GU.jpg.
Please contact us if you have any questions at jicc@ws.mofa.go.jp.
Note: You will receive a message confirming that we have received your submission. If you do not receive a message within 72 hours, or by the deadline, please contact us. We are not responsible for entries that are lost, misdirected, or transmitted late or incorrectly.
Prizes: TBA
Entries will be carefully reviewed by our panel, and the top photographs will be recognized with awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, along with four special jury prizes. Winning and selected entries will be featured in the gallery of the Japan Information & Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan, and other prominent venues in Washington, D.C.
Join us in celebrating the beauty and friendship embodied by cherry blossoms. We look forward to receiving your unique and inspiring interpretations.
Confirmed Prizes:
- $100 gift card
- Shinkansen bullet train diecast model
For all winners:
- Tea Ceremony experience by Urasenke Tonkokai at Washin’an, Washington DC (Accommodation and travel expenses are not included)
- Eco Bag
- Award ceremony and reception (Accommodation and travel expenses are not included)
SPONSORED BY
Questions & Comments: For questions, comments, and rule clarifications, please email the JICC at jicc@ws.mofa.go.jp.