Iwamizawa Saihana Festival 2024 held
First Stage of Enjoying Flowers in Early Summer
Friday, July 5 - Friday, July 12
Second Stage of Dancing and Fireworks
Saturday, July 20 - Sunday, July 21
Contest Outline
This is the fourth year of the photo contest. This year, we will visit Iwamizawa on July 6 and ask participants to take pictures under the same conditions. In addition to the "Flower Photo Category," which is designed to highlight the beauty of Iwamizawa, a new category, "Iwamizawa's Attractiveness Category," has been established to encourage people to visit Iwamizawa! In addition, a photo seminar will be held for participants before the photo contest. We are looking forward to receiving your entries.
Iwamizawa Saihana Festival 2024 held
Photo Contest: Saturday, July 6
Ayame Stocks and Dumplings: Friday, July 5 - Friday, July 12 *No sales on July 8
Koto Music and Nodate: Saturday, July 6 *Free admission to the Color Museum
Bonsai Exhibition: Saturday, July 6
Saihana Festival: Saturday, July 20
Fireworks display: Sunday, July 21
Photo Contest Prizes
Grand Prize (1 work) 30,000 yen
【Flower Photo Division】
Excellent work 1 prize 20,000 yen
Special prize 1 work (with prize)
Honorable mention 5 works (with prize)
【Iwamizawa Charm Division】
Excellent work 1 prize 20,000 yen
Special prize 1 work (with prize)
Honorable mention 5 works (with prize)
Outline of Application
Saihana Festival Flower Photo Contest 2024
How to apply
First, apply using the application form (at the bottom of this page)
Pre-registration: Monday, June 3, 2024 - Sunday, June 30, 2024
Capacity: 30 people (will close when capacity is reached)
Fee: Adults ¥1,000 Free for high school students and below
Date of photo shooting and seminar: July 6, 2024 (Sat.) Completed
Photo Contest Schedule
| STEP 1 | Application Period | June 3 (Monday) ~ June 30 (Sunday) | Apply at Iwamizawa Tourist Association HP Note: Please apply for a photo during STEP 6 below. |
| STEP2 | Receipt completion email is sent | As soon as possible after acceptance of application | Registration at Iwamizawa City Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room *Please pay the registration fee at this time. |
| STEP 3 | Photo seminar reception | Saturday, July 6, 9:00-9:20 | Reception at Iwamizawa City Hall 2nd floor conference room |
| STEP 4 | Attended photo seminar | Saturday, July 6, 9:20-10:00 | Attended at Iwamizawa City Hall 2nd floor conference room |
| STEP 5 | photography | Saturday, July 6, 10:00-23:59 | Each person moves to various locations in the city to take photos |
| STEP6 | Photo Contest Entry | Saturday, July 6, 10:00▶︎Sunday, July 7, 12:00 | SUBMIT FROM IWAMIZAWA TOURIST ASSOCIATION HP (QR ABOVE) |
| STEP7 | Photo Contest (Introduction of works and awards) | Saturday, July 20, 16:00-17:00 | Held at Saika Festival Venue: Red Brick Hall |
The winning entries will be exhibited at various facilities in Iwamizawa City.
precautions
- Each person is limited to two entries per category.
- Photographs must be taken on the day of the photo contest.
- ENTRIES MAY BE SUBMITTED IN LPEG FORMAT, SUCH AS WITH A DIGITAL CAMERA OR SMARTPHONE.
- For other details such as application requirements and regulations, please refer to the following.
Application Rules
Introduction of Judges (titles omitted)
Chairman of the Special Review Committee
Masato Sasaki
Born in Nemuro City, Hokkaido in 1974 and currently resides in Sapporo. 25 years since joining a video production company in 1998, he has been filming a variety of subjects in any genre.
In 2021, he became a freelance photographer, working for a TV station in Sapporo shooting news footage, and also focusing on his artistic activities, capturing Hokkaido's nature in photos and videos. He has been shooting newsreel footage for a TV station in Sapporo and has also been active as a photographer and filmmaker. He has held five photo exhibitions in Sapporo, Otaru, and Tokyo.
Representative of the photography office "Yukinomori Design Labo".
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Main Activities
Shooting TV programs, PR videos and advertisement photos for companies and municipalities, and activities as a photo artist.
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Chairman of Iwamizawa Saihana Festival Executive Committee
Satoshi Kimura
In 2020, he became the chairman of the Iwamizawa Saihana Festival Executive Committee. While the festival could not be held due to the Corona disaster, he returned to the original concept of the Saihana Festival and launched the photo contest with the concept of "enjoying the beginning of a refreshing Hokkaido summer together with citizens" and this year marks the 4th time the photo contest has been held.
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Main Activities
Representative of TACS Tax Corporation / Director of Iwamizawa Manamiru Civic Hall and Cultural Center / Representative of NPO Saeko Himuro Youth Literature Award / Representative of NPO Iwamizawa Akariie, and many other community contributions.
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Shikisai Corporation Camera no Rikou
Yoshihiro Kono, Representative Director
Born in Iwamizawa, elementary and junior high school in Iwamizawa, high school in Bibai. After graduating from Hokkaido Institute of Technology (now Hokkaido University of Science and Technology), he worked for affiliated companies such as Camera Rikoh Co. Moved to the current location when the Daiei Iwamizawa store closed in August 2015.
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Main Activities
Photographer active in Iwamizawa, including photo store, studio photography, and school photography. President of the Sister City Iwamizawa Pocatello Association. Member of Iwamizawa Rotary Club.
SAIKA PHOTO CONTEST 2024
Announcement of Award Winners
Grand Prize Mami Kobayashi
The square in front of the station at the moment when the movement of people has ceased in the evening. The reflection of the streetlights on the rain-dampened bricks is graceful, nostalgic, and very impressive. The colors change from moment to moment, and the timing of the photo was exquisitely timed to take advantage of every opportunity. I wanted to walk here myself and could feel the charm of Iwamizawa. If high school students or college couples on their way home from club activities were to walk here, they would probably remember the scene and reminisce about it in the future, and this beautiful work makes me imagine many such things. The three judges were unanimous in their selection for the Grand Prize. Congratulations! (Masato Sasaki)
Excellence AwardKenichiUeno
It was straightforwardly appealing to me that such a place could be found near Iwamizawa residences. The artist made good use of the rainy weather and captured the shading of the deeply carved stone skin.
What kind of conversation are the two umbrellas having? This bridge must be a part of the daily strolling course for the citizens of Iwamizawa. It makes me imagine such a thing. I think the subject matter would have been enhanced if the trees at the top of the picture were cut off a little and the camera were swung down to show more of the footing of the bridge piers. I would like to take a walk here myself. Thank you very much for your beautiful work. （Thank you very much for your beautiful work.)
Excellence Award Mayumi Manabe
First of all, the color is astonishing. Iris is not only purple. Close-up yellow petals. The delicate pattern in the center of the petals draws the viewer's gaze.
The dark green of the background supports the whole, further accentuating the soft forms and beautiful curves of the bright yellow petals.
This is a work that I would like to enlarge and display in my room. （Satoshi Kimura)
Special Award Ken Sasaya
The night view of Iwamizawa Station, which won the Good Design Award, and the statue of "friend" in front of the station are combined in silhouette, and the light leaking from the station building and the symmetrical composition create a calm and pleasing work. (Yoshihiro Kono)
Special Award Ken Sasaya
A walkway in a park surrounded by greenery.
The wet rainy atmosphere and hydrangeas match each other in this charming work.
What is beyond this curve?
It made me imagine what lies beyond this curve, and I felt like I wanted to walk there myself. The framing is well done, and the maple tree in the upper left corner is effectively placed and cropped. I think the photo would have been more three-dimensional if you had placed a larger, more blurry hydrangea in front of the lower right corner.
Thank you very much for your beautiful work. （Thank you very much.)
good piece of work
The two horses grazing together are adorable and have a big impact.
The photographer's "love" for the subject came through straight away.
It also reminds me of the history of Iwamizawa, where there used to be a horse racing track, and I like this work very much.
I think it would have been a more heartwarming picture if someone was sitting on the bench on the left, or if the citizens walking nearby were captured and depicted together.
Thank you very much for your lovely work. (Masato Sasaki)
good piece of work
On a brick on the sidewalk in Midorigaoka Green Park, where the tower in front of Iwamizawa City Hall is located, I found a map of Hokkaido with IWAMIZAWA engraved on it, and included the tower in this piece.
I think the work conveys the character of Iwamizawa. (Yoshihiro Kono)
good piece of work
The iris is in bloom.
The background is faintly hazy, and the pretty flowers stand out. If you look closely, you will notice the rain falling diagonally from the upper right corner. The fine rain trails, beautifully focused, vividly depict this year's early summer, which evokes the Ezo Rainy Season. (Satoshi Kimura)
good piece of work
The focus is on a bright red rose, beyond which two figures with umbrellas in front of a child can be vaguely seen walking along the promenade in the rose garden.
What is the artist asking the child, who stands tall?
This work is full of warmth, capturing a comforting moment of walking among the flowers. （Satoshi Kimura)
good piece of work
Two people strolling in Iris Park in the rain, holding umbrellas.
This work is a typical Iwamizawa scene with iris flowers and a drum bridge, and can be used to promote Iris Park.
(Yoshihiro Kono)
good piece of work
We often see red, white, pink, and yellow roses, but I have heard that purple (blue) roses like this one are very rare.
The petals are also very healthy, and this is a wonderful photo. (Yoshihiro Kono )
good piece of work
This impressive work was boldly shot from directly above a rose flower.
The heart-shaped petals are lovely and convey a sense of "love.
It made me imagine the variety of roses in Iwamizawa.
I think the raindrops would have been more attractive if they were a little more lit.
Thank you very much for your wonderful work. (Masato Sasaki)
good piece of work
The lovely blooming mountain hydrangea flowers are soft and fluffy with the use of color and blurriness in this work. The two petals huddled together looked lovely. It was regrettable that the three clumps of front bokeh in the upper left corner of the picture were all the same size. I think the composition would have been better if the placement of the front bokeh had been more lively, and if the front or back bokeh had been placed more intensely in the lower right corner of the picture to hold it in place.
Thank you very much for your wonderful work. (Masato Sasaki)
good piece of work
This work blurs Iwamizawa Station and captures the red roses in front of the station.
The oblique composition combined light and shadow creates a work that expresses Iwamizawa, a town of roses. (Yoshihiro Kono)
good piece of work
The large, diagonal cutout of a group of pale pink roses in the foreground and the color of the sky beyond them beautifully balance and enhance the pink of the petals and the green of the foliage. The calm contrast of colors and the bold diagonal composition beautifully express the beauty of the roses.
（Satoshi Kimura)
Contact
1F Iwamizawa Compound Station Building, 1-1 Ariake-cho Minami, Iwamizawa, Hokkaido 068-0034, Japan
Iwamizawa Saihana Matsuri Executive Committee
TEL：0126-22-3470 / Mail：saika@i-kankou.jp
Second Stage of Dancing and Fireworks
Saturday, July 20 - Sunday, July 21
Saturday, July 20, 2024
First half: Children's Bon Dance
Second half: Iwamizawa Kanko Odori (There will be a lecture on the dance before the start)
EVENT MENU
- dance tower
- Iwamizawa Direct Produce Market
- children's fair
- Iwamizawa Wabuta Exhibition
- Stage event at Akarenga Hall (introduction of photo contest entries, etc.)
- SAIKA KITCHEN CAR AREA
EVENT MENU
| TIME | Program | venue |
| 11:00-20:00 | SAIKA KITCHEN CAR AREA | Eki-Higashi Civic Plaza |
| 11:00-17:00 | Iwamizawa Direct Produce Market | Eki-Higashi Civic Plaza |
| 11:00-20:00 | children's fair | Eki-Higashi Civic Plaza |
| 11:00-20:00 | Iwamizawa Wabuta Exhibition | |
| 11:00 | Koryo Junior High School Dance Club | Red Brick Hall |
| 14:00 | Stage Performance Baton Twirling Cheerleading Cheerleading Rakubi | Red Brick Hall |
| 14:30 | Kids Dance | Red Brick Hall |
| 16:00-17:30 | Photo Contest Award Ceremony | Red Brick Hall |
| 17:30 | CHILDREN'S BON DANCE LECTURE TIME | Station East Civic Plaza (Odori Yagura Area) |
| 18:00 | Opening Ceremony | Station East Civic Plaza (Odori Yagura Area) |
| 18:10-18:45 | Children's Bon Dance (18:45 Candy distribution) | Station East Civic Plaza (Odori Yagura Area) |
| 19:00-20:00 | Iwamizawa Sightseeing Dance | Station East Civic Plaza (Odori Yagura Area) |
| 20:00 | EVENT END |
ABOUT IWAMIZAWA
The location is blessed with easy access to popular Hokkaido spots such as Sapporo, New Chitose Airport, and Furano.
Although only a 60-minute drive from New Chitose Airport and a 50-minute drive from Sapporo (including Okadama Airport), Iwamizawa offers beautiful countryside scenery like that of Europe, locally produced and locally consumed food, and things that can only be experienced here, providing a wonderful time for various visitors.
Representative events
Iwamizawa Hyakumochi Festival/JOIN ALIVE/Iwamizawa Saihana Festival, etc.
IWAMIZAWA SAIKA FESTIVAL 2024/IWAMIZAWA SAIKA FESTIVAL
Saihana Festival Schedule
Iwamizawa Park Rose Garden
Indoor Park Color Pavilion
Koto Music: Saturday, July 6, 11:30-12:00
Nodate: Saturday, July 6, 11:00-14:00
Old Green Center
Bonsai Exhibition: Saturday, July 6, 10:00-17:00
Sunday, July 7, 9:00-16:00
■ Ayame Park
Ayame Stocks: Friday, July 5 - Friday, July 12
Sales Hours: 9:00-17:00
Ayame Dango: Friday, July 5 - Friday, July 12 *No sales on Monday, July 8
Sales Hours: 9:30-15:00
*Sales end when quantity is reached
Iwamizawa Saihana Festival Fireworks Display 2024
■Hokkaido Greenland
Date: July 21 (Sunday)
20:00 Launch start 21:00 End scheduled
Total 5,500 shots
Admission: Regular admission fee until 4:00 p.m.
After 4:00 p.m.
- High school students and older: 1,000 yen
- 3 years old to junior high school students 500 yen
Parking fee: 500 yen per car
Free shuttle bus: to be operated
*The event may be postponed in case of inclement weather.
Please refer to the Hokkaido Greenland website for details on the above.
