The results for the Kyotango Autumn Winter Photo Contest 2019 are in. There is an excellent selection this year: from gorgeous shots of the rugged coastline, to family oriented activities, to creative takes on local classics. Feast your eyes on 12 of the best pictures from Kyotango for 2019.

Overall Winner

荒潮 – Fierce Tide

Season: Winter

Photo Location: Kyotango, Tango, Taiza – Tateiwa (Standing Rock)

Photo Date: 2020 January 16th

Photographer: Iseki Daichi

Photographer’s Comments: The clouds were rushing past, then suddenly the light began to shine. The waves from the Sea of Japan hit the shore with some force in winter. It was good timing for a picture.

Reviewer’s Comments: The complex mix of the colours in the light and the movement of the waves produce a sense of motion in the image that is symbolic of the magnificence of Tateiwa. A very effective use of a slow shutter.

Merit Awards

冬空の誓い – The Vow of the Winter Sky

Season: Winter

Photo Location: Kyotango, Tango, – Taiza

Photo Date: 2020 January 21st

Photographer: Umehara Takashi

Photographer’s Comments: At the Empress Hashiudo Maternal Monument the pledge that the mother and son have made for the future to the winter sky is made. On the other side you can see the constellations Sirius and Orion. The conversation has turned unexpectedly to the wishing stars of the northern sky. Please use your imagination. It’s fun to romanticize the ancient kingdom in Kyotango.

Reviewer’s Comments: Taken with a wide-angle lens at a low angle, the Empress Hashiudo and Prince Shotoku Maternal Monument has a starry sky stretching out in the background. This one shot truly conjures the romance of ancient times.

お雛さんに囲まれて – Surrounded by Dolls

Season: Winter

Photo Location: Kyotango, Omiya, Ono Komachi Park – Komachi’s House

Photo Date:  2020 February 11th

Photographer: Yumin

Photographer’s Comments: The more than 800 dolls surprised my entire family. It was bliss spending time watching the incredible number of dolls. This will be one of our favourite family memories.

Reviewer’s Comments: By using a fish-eye lens the picture appears overwhelmed with dolls. The way the children are sitting invokes the peaceful nature of the doll festival.

SUN橋 – SUN Bridge

Season: Winter

Photo Location: Kyotango, Kumihama Bay

Photo Date: 2019 December 14th

Photographer: ryosan

Photographer’s Comments: SUN x Pier

Reviewer’s Comments: The gradations of the sun and the sky reflected off the wind ruffled water are truly beautiful, and project a clear and tranquil feeling of winter. The pier reaching out to the distant mountains shows you just how vast they truly are.

Autumn Awards

色づき絶好調 – Colour Changing in Perfect Form

Season: Autumn

Photo Location: Kyotango, Amino, Hikihara Pass

Photo Date: 2019 November 15th

Photographer: chosan

Photographer’s Comments: Lighting up the colourful ginkgo tree as the evening draws in is what the Enjoy Yuhigaura Group call “local love”.

宝石箱 – Jewelry Box

Season: Autumn

Photo Location: Kyotango, Mineyama, Oji

Photo Date: 2019 November 30th

Photographer: Fujimura Shinichi

Photographer’s Comments: Red, orange, yellow, the multi-coloured leaves of the Japanese maple floating on the water are a beautiful sight. It looks like a jewelry box.

Winter Awards

存在感 – Presence

Season: Winter

Photo Location: Kyotango, Tango, Takeno

Photo Date: 2020 January 25th

Photographer: JUNTA

Photographer’s Comments: As much as I appreciate the impressiveness of Tateiwa up close, even from a distance I can feel its presence.

荒波に咲く虹 – From the Raging Waves Blooms the Rainbow

Season: Winter

Photo Location: Kyotango, Tango, Takeno

Photo Date: 2020 January 13th

Photographer: Iseki Daichi

Photographer’s Comments: Since autumn the weather coming from the Sea of Japan has been chaotic. But by turning your back to the setting sun, the angry waves hitting Tateiwa let you get a picture of a rainbow on the far side.

Outdoor Prize

キャンプ家族 – Camping Family

Season: Autumn

Photo Location: Kyotango, Tango, Ueno Takashima Campsite 

Photo Date: 2019 September 15th

Photographer: Itou Yuri

Photographer’s Comments: The blue sky and the blue sea. To the children the future seems perfectly clear.

Seasonal Food Award

体験の秋 – Autumn Experiences

Season: Autumn

Photo Location: Kyotango, Kumihama, Maruyama Area

Photo Date: 2019 September 25th

Photographer: Kensan

Photographer’s Comments: The preschoolers went harvesting rice for their first active outing. Everyone had a fun and happy time. At sunset It seemed like there would be mochi.

Drone Award

冬晴れの離湖 – Lake Hanare’s Sunny Winter

Season: Winter

Photo Location: Kyotango, Amino, Shimazu – Lake Hanare

Photo Date: 2020 January 2nd

Photographer: Taka

Photographer’s Comments: Waiting for a brief bit of sun in Tango’s winter I took this picture of Kyoto prefectures largest freshwater lake. The beautiful ultramarine of the lake surface was impressive.

Facebook “like” Award

小さな、ゆらり – Tiny, Yurari

Season: Summer

Photo Location: Kyotango, Amino, Hamazume – Yuhigaura

Photo Date: 2019 September 8th

Photographer: YOSUKE

Photographer’s Comments: I’ve got a clever new way of capturing a popular Kyotango photo spot. Flipping the swing in a crystal ball, makes for a very unusual world view.