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11th Montbell Photo Contest: The Award Winning Works

The 11th mont-bell Photo Contest Results. Thank you to everyone for your submissions.

The outdoor-themed "Montbell Photo Contest" has concluded its 11th contest. A total of 1,912 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

Beneath a sky filled with countless stars, a man with a red headlight stands alone, gazing upward. A tent, surrounded by snow walls, glows with a pale blue light from within, while in the distance, lights can be seen at the foot of the mountains.

"Alone, Under the Spring Starry Sky"

Okubo Kaiki
April 13, 2024, East Ridge of Kashimayari-ga-take, Nagano Prefecture

Excellence Award (10 entries)

Gakujin Award

Mount Kaikoma at dawn. The western side of the mountain is dyed red as it receives the morning sun, while the eastern side remains dark and shadowed, not yet reached by the sunlight.

"The Moment of Awakening"

Yoshida Hiroaki
August 4, 2024, Mount Kai-Komagatake, Yamanashi and Nagano Prefectures

Next-Generation GORE-TEX Product Award

In a world blanketed in white snow, a man walks deeper into the scene. In the foreground, another man turns his back on him, choosing the opposite path, yet appears concerned about what lies behind him.

"Determining the Course of Action"

Yamada Shingo
February 4, 2025, Akadake Bunzaburo Ridge, Yatsugatake Mountains, Yamanashi and Nagano Prefectures

PRO TREK Award

Mountains extend endlessly towards the horizon. From a large rock face in the foreground, a single rope hangs down, and a climber in a red jacket is rappelling down.

"Rappell off Bugaboo Spire"

Suzuki Yasuhiro
August 12, 2025, Bugaboo Mountains, British Columbia, Canada

Asolo Award

The silhouette of a man walking along a wooden path is sharply outlined against the purplish mist in the light of dawn.

"Traversing through Purple Clouds"

Konda Satoshi
July 23, 2025, Mount Taro, Northern Japanese Alps, Nagano Prefecture

Kupilka Award

A Japanese dwarf flying squirrel with large, dark eyes skillfully holds a maple seed with its front paws while eating.

"Not sharing!"

Tanaka Yuji
February 3, 2025, Central Hokkaido

Jetboil Award

In the morning glow, a man emerges from a blue tent, his upper body visible as he boils water using a Jetboil. Beyond him stretches a sea of clouds, with the silhouette of Mount Fuji visible in the distance.

"A World Boiling Over"

Matsuzaka Futa
September 7, 2024, Kitadake Mountain Hut Campsite, Yamanashi Prefecture

Helinox Award

A man lies on his back by the riverside, gazing up at the starry sky. Nearby, a campfire burns, illuminating a red kayak in the foreground.

"Paddler Night"

Nagatomo Taiki
November 20, 2024, Teshio River, Hokkaido

Swiss Award

A woman in short sleeves is reaching out to touch a fluffy black-nosed sheep. In the background, there is a clear blue sky and the sharply towering Matterhorn.

"The Matterhorn, Black-Nosed Sheep, and I"

Mitsuo Kazutaka
August 7, 2025, Matterhorn, Zermatt, Switzerland

Nature Life Award

A bird with green and blue feathers is depicted bringing food to its chicks, which are visible with gaping beaks inside a tree hollow.

"Say 'Aah'!"

Harada Yasuhiko
July 23, 2025, Kibichuo Town, Okayama Prefecture

The Montbell's character "Monta Bear" Special Award

A Monta Bear plush toy wearing a red vest stands on a jagged rocky terrain, holding a small ice axe and gazing upwards into the distance.

Monta's Adventure

Zamami Daisuke
March 21, 2025, Mount Honto-Fuji, Motobu Town, Okinawa Prefecture

Runner's Up (8 entries)

A brown-colored ptarmigan in its summer plumage huddles close with its three chicks. They are surrounded by an alpine meadow filled with high-altitude flowers.

"Cozy and Warm"

Nishio Yudai
July 25, 2025, Near Sugoroku-goya Campsite, Gifu Prefecture

A sea of clouds spreads out like a flowing river over the mountaintop, and above it, countless stars twinkle with their light.

"Shining Above the Sea of Clouds"

Yokoe Kenichi
August 26, 2022, Summit of Mount Tokachi, Hokkaido

In the foreground, trees with vibrant autumn foliage flourish. In the distance, a sea of clouds flowing between the mountains resembles a cascading waterfall.

"Flowing Clouds"

Shirota Yoshio
October 13, 2024, Shioridaira Pass, Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture

Green and yellow water lily leaves float on the blue water surface. Among the leaves of various sizes, white flowers are sporadically blooming.

"Standing Out Against the Indigo"

Oguchi Miharu
July 2, 2025, Asahi-dake Trekking Course, Shiga Kogen, Yamanouchi Town, Nagano Prefecture

People ascending a steep snow-covered slope. They follow the path trodden by those ahead, climbing in single file.

Ladder of Snow

Kamimura Hiroyuki
January 18, 2025, Mount Arashima, Fukui Prefecture

A man wearing a red helmet stands in a cave. His headlamp illuminates the striped patterns on the wall, and the light is also reflected on the water surface at his feet.

The Deepest Plunge Pool at the Base of the Waterfall (Dry Season)

Kimura Hiroya
February 16, 2019, Deepest Part of the Cavern, Hiraodai, Fukuoka Prefecture

Two blue whitewater kayaks navigate down a swift current flowing through a mountain valley lush with fresh greenery.

"The Delight of Fresh Green"

Yuki Takahito
May 5, 2025, Tochigi Prefecture

A boy is being carried on his mother's back in a hiking baby carrier. Behind the smiling pair, a majestic mountain with remnants of snow towers in the background.

"My Mountaineering Debut"

Takane Kouki
July 19, 2025, Mt. Karamatsu, Nagano Prefecture and Toyama Prefecture

11th Montbell Photo Contest Winners' Traveling Exhibition

We will be holding a touring exhibition of 19 award-winning and runner's up works at 14 Montbell stores nationwide. We cordially invite you to visit.

2025 December 20 (Saturday) - 2026 January 4 (Sunday):
Okhotsk Koshimizu Store
(Hokkaido)
2026 January 10 (Saturday) - January 25 (Sunday):
Taisetsu Higashikawa Store
(Hokkaido)
2026 January 31 (Saturday) - February 1 (Sunday): Friend Fair Aomori (Aomori Prefecture)
2026 February 7 (Saturday) - February 15 (Sunday):
Nikaho Store
(Akita Prefecture)
2026 February 21 (Saturday) - March 8 (Sunday):
Akita Misato Store
(inside Michi-no-Eki Misato)
2026 March 14 (Saturday) - March 29 (Sunday):
Yamagata Store
(Yamagata Prefecture)
2026 April 4 (Saturday) - April 19 (Sunday):
Montbell Village Tateyama Store
(Toyama Prefecture)
2026 April 25 (Saturday) - May 10 (Sunday):
Kanazawa Store
(Ishikawa Prefecture)
2026 May 16 (Saturday) - May 31 (Sunday):
Suwa Store
(Nagano Prefecture)
2026 June 6 (Saturday) - June 21 (Sunday):
Azumino Store
(Nagano Prefecture)
2026 June 27 (Saturday) - July 12 (Monday):
Okachimachi Store
(Tokyo)
2026 July 18 (Saturday) - August 2 (Sunday):
Shibuya Store
(Tokyo)
2026 August 8 (Saturday) - August 23 (Sunday):
Montbell Outdoor Village Nara Store
(Nara Prefecture)
2026 August 29 (Saturday) - September 13 (Sunday):
Minamiaso Store
(Kumamoto Prefecture)

*These link to the Japanese language site.