Japan Regional Private Railway Photo Contest 2026 to Be Held

The Japan Private Railway Association (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Takehiro Sugiyama) will launch the 'Regional Private Railway Photo Contest 2026' on Saturday, July 18, 2026, featuring photographs of the 56 regional private railway companies affiliated with the association and railway operators in Taiwan.

Launched in 2021 to promote the charm of regional private railways through photography, this contest marks its sixth edition this year. Last year, it received 3,915 entries. Continuing from last year, as part of initiatives under the 'Railway Tourism Promotion Agreement' concluded between the association and the Taiwan Railway Tourism Association (refer to attachment), photographs featuring nine railway operators in Taiwan will also be accepted.

Photographs of rolling stock, stations, and沿线 landscapes from the 56 regional private railway companies in Japan and nine railway operators in Taiwan are welcome. Anyone can participate by submitting entries via the official X (formerly Twitter) account or through the dedicated website submission form.

Entries will be rigorously judged by railway photographer Seiya Nakai, talent Yumiko Takino (known for her love of railways), and the editorial team of 'Travel and Railways' magazine, among others. In addition to the Grand Prize, which includes a 50,000 yen travel voucher, five awards in total are offered, including Judge’s Prize and Taiwan Prize. Winning entries will be featured in 'Travel and Railways' magazine.

Grand Prize Winner of the 2025 Regional Private Railway Photo Contest – Ryoichi Hayashi (Gakunan Electric Railway)　　　　　　　　　PR Poster

Contest Overview

1. Submission Period: July 18, 2026 (Sat) – November 23, 2026 (Mon, Holiday)

2. Official Website: https://www.mintetsuphoto.jp/

※The 2026 version of the website will go live on the 18th

3. Submission Theme: Rolling stock, stations,沿线 landscapes, etc., featuring the 56 regional private railway companies in Japan and nine railway operators in Taiwan

4. Submission Methods: Entries can be submitted via either method ① or ②.

① Follow the official X account (@mintetsu_photo) for the 'Regional Private Railway Photo Contest 2026',

include the hashtags #RegionalPrivateRailwayPhotoContest and #NameOfRailwayCompanyOr#TaiwanRailwayTravel,

then post your photo

※For applicants under 13 years old, a parent or guardian must submit on their behalf.

② Upload your photo and submit via the dedicated website submission form

https://mintetsuphoto.jp/#apply

5. Judging: Judging will be conducted rigorously by railway photographer Seiya Nakai, talent Yumiko Takino (known railway enthusiast),

Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Taiwan Tourism Association, editorial team of 'Travel and Railways' magazine, and others.

6. Announcement of Winners and Prizes: One winning entry per Japanese regional railway company (up to 56 total) will be selected,

with four awards in total, including the Grand Prize.

Additionally, a limited number of Taiwan Prizes will be awarded based on submissions

featuring railway operators in Taiwan.

Grand Prize: 1 winner (50,000 yen travel voucher)

Judge’s Prize: 2 winners (20,000 yen travel voucher or digital device)

Special Prize: 5 winners (10,000 yen travel voucher)

Mintetsu Prize: 48 winners (prepaid card worth 3,000 yen)

Taiwan Prize: Several winners (Taiwan sightseeing train merchandise)

Winning entries will be announced around February 2027 on the official website and in the April 2027 issue of 'Travel and Railways' magazine.

Comments from Professional Photographer and Talent Judges

Professional Photographer Judge – Seiya Nakai

I am Seiya Nakai, a railway photographer, and I am honored to serve as a judge for the 'Regional Private Railway Photo Contest' this year. I am excited to help promote regional private railways through your wonderful entries. I look forward to receiving many submissions. Thank you very much!

【Profile】

Born in Tokyo in 1967. He captures railways from unique perspectives beyond just rolling stock, pioneering new photography genres such as 'One Railway a Day!' and 'Yurutetsu' (Relaxed Railway). He operates a gallery and shop 'Yurutetsu Gallery NOMAD' across Japan, selling his own works. He appears on programs such as 'Seiya Nakai's Scenic Railway Journeys' on NHK BS and BS4K.

Talent Judge – Yumiko Takino

When traveling by railway, what remains deeply in memory and takes physical form are photographs. A single unexpected shot might become an irreplaceable treasure after returning home. I look forward to seeing many of your precious memories.

【Profile】

Born September 24, 1997, in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Active as an actress in television and radio. Special skill: Saxophone playing.

Railway Tourism Promotion Agreement

On Saturday, July 20, 2024, the Japan Private Railway Association concluded the 'Agreement on Railway Tourism Promotion between Japan and Taiwan' with the Taiwan Railway Tourism Association, aiming to expand tourism exchanges and revitalize local communities through railway-based initiatives.

【Press Release dated July 24, 2024】

'Aiming to Expand Tourism Exchanges and Revitalize Local Communities through Railway-Based Initiatives between Japan and Taiwan

～Signing of Railway Tourism Promotion Agreement with Taiwan Railway Tourism Association～'

https://www.mintetsu.or.jp/association/news/f099ee4bf1847b1ad6bbcdc00bb1658e39354321.pdf

〈Taiwan Railway Tourism Association Website〉http://www.trta.org.tw/index.html

〈Taiwan Tourism Bureau and Taiwan Tourism Association Website〉https://go-taiwan.net/ikutabi/

List of Railway Companies for 'Regional Private Railway Photo Contest 2026' (56 Regional Private Railway Companies) and Railway Operators in Taiwan (9 Operators)

【Tohoku Region】

Kounan Railway Co., Ltd., Tsugaru Railway Co., Ltd., Aoimori Railway Co., Ltd., Iwate Development Railway Co., Ltd.

Sendai Airport Transit Co., Ltd., Fukushima Kotsu Co., Ltd.

【Kanto Region】

Hitachinaka Seaside Railway Co., Ltd., Jōshin Dentetsu Co., Ltd., Jōmō Electric Railway Co., Ltd., Chichibu Railway Co., Ltd.

Chōshi Electric Railway Co., Ltd., Kominato Railway Co., Ltd., Isumi Railway Co., Ltd., Yamaman Co., Ltd.

Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company, Takaosan Railway Co., Ltd., Enoshima Electric Railway Co., Ltd., Shonan Monorail Co., Ltd.

Odakyu Hakone Co., Ltd., Fujikyuko Electric Railway Co., Ltd.

【Hokuriku-Shin'etsu Region】

Alpico Kotsen Co., Ltd., Ueda Dentetsu Co., Ltd., Nagano Electric Railway Co., Ltd., Toyama Chihō Railway Co., Ltd.

Manyosen Co., Ltd., Hokuriku Railroad Co., Ltd.

【Chubu Region】

Izukyū Corporation, Izuhakone Railway Co., Ltd., Gakunan Electric Railway Co., Ltd., Shizuoka Railway Co., Ltd.

Ōigawa Railway