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12th Montbell Photo Contest: The Award Winning Works

The 12th mont-bell Photo Contest Results. Thank you to everyone for your submissions.

The outdoor-themed "Montbell Photo Contest" has concluded its 12th contest. A total of 2,124 entries were received, from which 19 were carefully selected. We sincerely thank everyone for their submissions. We are pleased to announce the winning entries here! Additionally, a traveling exhibition of the winning works is scheduled to be held at Montbell stores in Japan.

About the Exhibition of Winning Works

Grand Prize

A photograph of the Brocken spectre phenomenon as seen from a mountain ridge

"The Finest Memories"

Terauchi Hideyuki
October 6, 2025, Nagatano Prefecture, Nishi-Hotaka Doppyo

Excellence Award (8 entries)

Gakujin Award

A mountaineer walking through snowy mountains with the sun at their back

"Beyond the Distant Peaks"

Okubo Kaiki
November 7, 2025, Nagano Prefecture, Mt. Okuhotaka, Gendarme

Next-Generation GORE-TEX Product Award

A mountaineer looking up at countless icicles

"Raining Spears of Ice"

Maruta Tsuyoshi
February 12, 2025, Nagano Prefecture, Shintaki Falls

PRO TREK Award

A mountaineer walking across a snow field where suncups have formed

"Traversing the Spoon Cut"

Koizumi Masaki
June 27, 2025, Harinoki Snow Valley, Nagano Prefecture

Asolo Award

A mountaineer advancing along the ridge of Mount Okuhotaka

"A Step Toward Dreams"

Fujigaki Ryota
February 15, 2026, Summit of Mt. Okuhotaka, Nagano Prefecture

Kupilka Award

"Autumn's Feast"

Mase Megumi
November 23, 2025, 8th Station, Mt. Gozaisho, Mie Prefecture

Jetboil Award

A hut buried in snow and a mountaineer under a starry sky

"Just a Little Further"

Kajikawa Hiromi
February 14, 2026, 6th Station, Mt. Daisen, Tottori Prefecture

Helinox Award

Under the moonlight and a sea of clouds, numerous tents illuminated with light

"Twinkle Beneath the Moon"

Kishimoto Satoshi
October 9, 2025, Nagano Prefecture, Karasawa Cirque

Montbell Award

A calligraphy set leaning against the snow surface with a work inscribed "Vinson"

"World's Southernmost Kakizome"

Sasaki Tsukasa
January 1, 2026, Vinson Massif Base Camp, highest peak on the Antarctic continent

Runner's Up (10 entries)

A mountaineer wearing a headlamp gazing up at the Milky Way

"Sleepless Night in a Tent"

Fukasawa Akihiko
August 11, 2023, Near Maruyama on the ridgeline of Mt. Nishi-Hotaka, Nagano Prefecture

The sun sparkling through the hole of jewelry ice held in hand

"Jewel of the Tokachi River"

Minakata Kunihiro
February 15, 2026, Otsu Coast, Toyokoro, Hokkaido

Three children gazing at distant mountains from a mountain summit

"Summer Memories"

Ishida Tetsuya
August 14, 2025, Mt. Chogatake, Nagano Prefecture

A crested kingfisher catching two fish in its beak at the waterside

"Fish Strike"

Harada Yasuhiko
December 11, 2025, Yahagi River, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture

Three skiers and snowboarders attempting to descend a steep snowy slope

Drop Without Hesitation

Ni Dayue
November 22, 2025, Raichozawa, Toyama Prefecture

A cyclist gazing up at red and green aurora borealis over their bicycle

A Dream in Alaska

Kataoka Suguru
November 12, 2025, Near the Yukon River on the Dalton Highway, Alaska, United States

A tent and a man viewing the sunrise amidst the hexagonal patterns of a salt lake

"The Mystery of the Uyuni Salt Flats"

Tim Matsubara
September 28, 2024, Uyuni Salt Flat, Bolivia

An aerial photograph of two kayaks navigating between the calm lake surface and trees

"A Perfect Day for Montbell"

Nagasawa Akira
May 18, 2024, Shusenko Lake, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture

The silhouette of a mountaineer walking along a winter ridgeline

"Grandeur and Vastness"

Yamaotoko Kumagorou
February 13, 2026, On the West Ridge of Mt. Karasawa, Gifu Prefecture

A rock ptarmigan on rocky terrain with a distant view of Mount Fuji in the morning glow

"Before the Sacred Peak, the Ptarmigan Stands"

Ishihara Teruya
November 4, 2024, Summit of Mt. Kaikomagatake, Yamanashi Prefecture

12th Montbell Photo Contest Winners' Traveling Exhibition

We will be holding a touring exhibition of 19 award-winning and runner's up works at 15 locations nationwide. We cordially invite you to visit.

2026 May 13 (Wed) - May 28 (Thu):
Taisetsu Higashikawa Store
(Hokkaido)
2026 June 3 (Wed) - June 18 (Thu):
Nikaho Store
(Akita Prefecture)
2026 June 24 (Wed) - July 9 (Thu):
Akita Misato Store
(*Inside Michi-no-Eki Misato) (Akita Prefecture)
2026 July 15 (Wed) - July 30 (Thu):
Yamagata Store
(Yamagata Prefecture)
2026 August 5 (Wed) - August 20 (Thu):
Montbell Village Tateyama Store
(Toyama Prefecture)
2026 August 26 (Wed) - September 10 (Thu):
Kanazawa Store
(Ishikawa Prefecture)
2026 Oct 3 (Sat) - Oct 4 (Sun): Friend Fair Yokohama (Kanagawa)
2026 Oct 31 (Sat) - Nov 1 (Sun): Friend Fair Osaka (Osaka)
2026 November 11 (Wed) - November 26 (Thu):
Okhotsk Koshimizu Store
(Hokkaido)
2026 December 9 (Wed) - December 24 (Thu):
Suwa Store
(Nagano Prefecture)
2026 December 30 (Wed) - 2027 January 14 (Thu):
Azumino Store
(Nagano Prefecture)
2027 January 20 (Wed) - February 4 (Thu):
Okachimachi Store
(Tokyo)
2027 February 10 (Wed) - February 25 (Thu):
Shibuya Store
(Tokyo)
2027 March 3 (Wed) to March 18 (Thu):
Montbell Outdoor Village Nara Store
(Nara Prefecture)
2027 March 24 (Wed) - April 8 (Thu):
Minamiaso Store
(Kumamoto Prefecture)

*These link to the Japanese language site.