2025 JAPANTENNA PHOTO CONTEST

OLD & NEW

Deadline: September 4, 2025

From tea ceremony to matcha lattes, paper lanterns to digital art - Japan and Japantown blend echoes of the past with visions of the future.

Japantenna invites photographers of all levels to participate in our Social Media Photo Contest, held in celebration of our Cameras & Photography Pop-Up in historic Japantown, San Francisco. Submit a photo that reflects the theme, “Old & New” - featuring Japanese culture, aesthetics, or Japantown —for a chance to win prizes and be showcased in our gallery exhibition.

PRIZE SPONSOR:

Mike’s Camera MENLO PARK

Judges:

Mark Shigenaga, Paul Sakuma, & Lea Suzuki

Thank you to the 24 photographers who submitted 83 images to our inaugural photo contest!

WINNERS - YOUTH CATEGORY

WINNER:
Aya Seng
(
Instagram: artsby.aya)
Prize: FujiFilm Instax mini 14 camera gift set

HONORABLE MENTION:
Cicily Yu
“Traditional glowing against the modern light”
Prize: San Francisco Japantown Book & Japan lens cleaning cloth

HONORABLE MENTION:
Maia Nerelli
Prize: San Francisco Japantown Book & Japan lens cleaning cloth

WINNERS - SENIOR CATEGORY

WINNER:
Gail T. Weisner
(
Instagram: gail.t.weisner.7)
Prize: FujiFilm Instax mini 41 camera gift set

HONORABLE MENTION:
artpapillon3
(
Instagram: artpapillon3)
Prize: San Francisco Japantown Book & Japan lens cleaning cloth

HONORABLE MENTION:
Merilee Lau
Prize: San Francisco Japantown Book & Japan lens cleaning cloth

WINNERS - GENERAL CATEGORY

WINNER:
Jim Kearns
(Instagram:
rawideaphotos)
FujiFilm Instax mini Evo (hybrid digital/instant camera), film, & Perfect Picture Pak (100 4x6” prints, 16x20” print, additional discounts)

2ND PLACE:
Anthony Enriquez
(Instagram:
spicy_t)
FujiFilm Instax mini 41 (vintage-styled Instax camera), film, & Perfect Picture Pak (100 4x6” prints, 16x20” print, additional discounts)

3RD PLACE:
J.Y.
(Instagram:
jubilant_jules)
Prize: FujiFilm Instax Link 3 (Instax film printer) & film