Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) announced the winners of ‘Click! Japan Photo Contest 2023.’ Organized to commemorate the Japan-India Tourism Exchange Year, the contest’s award ceremony was hosted on March 22, 2024, at Embassy of Japan in India in New Delhi.
During the award ceremony, Hiroshi Suzuki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to India, delivered the opening speech and addressed the winners, saying, ‘Pictures are a great way of sharing your experiences and emotions. A great picture speaks a million words and influences others to visit Japan. With their exceptional photo-making skills, the winners captured the essence of Japan, showcasing its beautiful way of life and uncovering its unexplored local beauty.’ Ambassador Suzuki also encouraged participants to visit Japan again and again.
The winners also shared their thoughts and experience in Japan during the award celebration. Mr. Sacchin Nachiappan, one of the winners for the picture of Hill of the Buddha, Sapporo, Hokkaido remarked, ‘Firstly, it seemed difficult travelling to Japan without knowing Japanese, but the moment I landed and experienced Japanese hospitality, my perception totally changed about Japan. For me, one word for Japan is ‘Spirituality’. The Great Buddha photo I clicked is very special to me. I’m honored to receive the prestigious Canon award and my gratitude to Canon for the amazing Camera.’
Mr. Mansoor Ali Imtiyaz Ali Sayed, another award recipient for the picture of Mt. Fuji, Yamanashi prefecture reflected, ‘My experience in Japan is just amazing! It took me a month to find the perfect place where I could see Mt. Fuji-san clearly. It was a beautiful traditional house in Yamanashi prefecture, Japan. I waited patiently for about two weeks for the perfect shot of Mt. Fuji-san. I believe this unexplored beautiful nature can be shown to the world. This beauty can only be experienced.’
Krish Yadav, another award recipient for the picture of Sensoji temple, Asakusa, Tokyo, shared, ‘My inspiration for this photo is the focus on the Red Lantern, representing the destination or final goal, also called as ‘Chochin’, and the people represent distraction. So, we should always focus on our goals.’
