Works Symbolizing the "Now" of Drone Shows Decided: "Japan Drone Show Creativity Awards 2025" Grand Prix Announced
The Japan Drone Show Association announced the winners of the "Japan Drone Show Creativity Awards 2025," recognizing outstanding drone show productions in Japan. The awards covered categories from Maximum Drone Count to Entertainment, Regional Revitalization, Advertising, Social Impact, and Under 300 Drones, highlighting the growing diversity and potential of drone performances.
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- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 10:15
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The Japan Drone Show Association (Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Komei Sasaki, hereinafter referred to as 'JDSA') held the 'Japan Drone Show Creativity Awards 2025' to evaluate the creativity, directing ability, and social value of drone shows, and announced the results on March 31, 2026.
About the "Japan Drone Show Creativity Awards 2025"
This second edition targeted drone shows conducted in Japan from January 1 to December 31, 2025. JDSA (Directors, Advisors, External Special Judges) evaluated them from multifaceted perspectives such as technology, directing, and planning, with the aim of presenting new possibilities for drone shows. An awards ceremony was held in Tokyo on March 31, 2026, featuring presentations by the awardees and commentary from the judges.
Scene of the Awards Ceremony
On March 31, 2026, an awards ceremony was held at a venue in Minato-ku, Tokyo. Companies, local governments, and creators involved in drone shows gathered, and awardees shared explanations of their works and behind-the-scenes production details. Special judge Daisuke Kono, editor-in-chief of Drone Journal, provided commentary, and there was also interaction among the speakers, making it a gathering place for industry professionals.
Award Contents
[Most Drone Count Category]
Selection Point
Selected from the drone shows that used the most drones in Japan in 2025.
Grand Prix Work
"One World, One Planet."
Advertiser or Organizer: The Association for the 2025 World Exposition (Expo 2025 Osaka)
Drone Show Operations Company: Red Cliff Inc.
Execution Period: October 13, 2025 (Monday, holiday)
Held Location: Sea area above Yumishima (1-chome Yumishima Naka, Konohana Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture)
Number of Drones: 3,000 units
[Entertainment Category]
Selection Point
Evaluates the value as a comprehensive entertainment show, including elements that entertain visitors and the overall excitement of the venue.
Grand Prix Work
"STAR ISLAND 2025"
Advertiser or Organizer: STAR ISLAND Executive Committee
Drone Show Operations Company: Red Cliff Inc.
Event Operations Company: Avex Live Creative Inc.
Execution Period: May 24 (Sat) & 25 (Sun), 2025
Held Location: Odaiba Seaside Park, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Number of Drones: 1,800 units
[Regional Revitalization Category]
Selection Point
Evaluates the value as a regional revitalization project, including attractive directing that utilizes the region's characteristics and projects that contribute to the region.
Grand Prix Work
"Nankai Drone Phantom Night Festival ~ The Shining Colors of the Ascending Supporter ~"
Advertiser or Organizer: Fukushima Prefecture
Drone Show Operations Company: White Crow Inc.
Event Operations Company: Fukushima Prefecture (Direct Management)
Other Staff: Zero Kara Utsushi Hajimemasu. (Otaku Gei)
Execution Period: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Held Location: Okawa Furusato Park, Shimogo Town, Minamiaizu District, Fukushima Prefecture
Number of Drones: 300 units
[Advertising & Promotion Category]
Selection Point
Evaluates effective directing and branding that leverages the characteristics of drone shows for purposes such as expanding recognition, generating buzz, and promoting sales.
Grand Prix Work
"Oronamin C 60th Anniversary 'Energetic Singing in the Sky'"
Advertiser or Organizer: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Drone Show Operations Company: Red Cliff Inc.
Advertising Agency: Hakuhodo Inc.
Event Operations Company: C3 FILM Inc.
Execution Period:
① July 27, 2025 (Sun) Otaru Tide Festival, Hokkaido
② August 30, 2025 (Sat) "Omagari Fireworks" 97th National Fireworks Competition, Akita Prefecture
③ October 11, 2025 (Sat) Kounosu Fireworks Festival, Saitama Prefecture
④ October 18, 2025 (Sat) Yatsushiro National Fireworks Competition, Kumamoto Prefecture
⑤ November 8, 2025 (Sat) Nishi-Awa Fireworks, Tokushima Prefecture
Held Location:
① (Hokkaido) Base of Otaru Port Pier No. 3
② (Akita Prefecture) Omagari Riverside Park
③ (Saitama Prefecture) Kounosu City Nukata Sports Park and Arakawa Riverbed
④ (Kumamoto Prefecture) Kuma River Riverside Green Space, Yatsushiro City
⑤ (Tokushima Prefecture) Nishi-Awa Health and Disaster Prevention Park, Tokushima Prefecture
Number of Drones: Approx. 1,300 units
[Social Communication Category]
Selection Point
Evaluates the message and social significance of shows aimed at solving Japan's social issues or having a societal impact.
Keywords: Social significance | Message | Technical skill & completion | Directing & creativity | Visual impact
Grand Prix Work
"Noto Yosakoi Festival & Wakura Onsen Reconstruction Drone Show"
Advertiser or Organizer: Wakura Onsen Tourism Association / Wakura Onsen Ryokan Cooperative Wakura Onsen Yunofushi Shopping Street / Wakura Onsen Merchants Association Wakura Onsen Creative Reconstruction Town Development Promotion Council
Drone Show Operations Company: Red Cliff Inc.
Other Staff: Shinichi Kudo (Director)
Execution Period: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Held Location: Wakura Onsen area, Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Number of Drones: 500 units
[Under 300 Category]
Selection Point
Evaluates works that create high value through innovative ideas and directing in small-scale drone shows (under 300 units) and entertain visitors.
Keywords: Ingenuity unique to small scale | Cost performance | Technical skill & completion | Directing & creativity | Visual impact
Grand Prix Work
"Strait Drone Art"
Advertiser or Organizer: Shimonoseki Port Authority, Drone School Shimonoseki (A-commerce Co., Ltd.)
Drone Show Operations Company: A-commerce Co., Ltd.
Event Operations Company: A-commerce Co., Ltd.
Execution Period: Pre-execution October 25, 2025 (Sat) / Full execution start November 15, 2025 (Sat)
Collaborative event for Risonare Shimonoseki opening on December 11, 2025 (Thu)
Subsequently held monthly, with the finale on March 21
Held Location: Karato Area, Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture (Arukappu Port, Green Park)
Number of Drones: 100 units (300 units for the finale only)
[Special Jury Award]
Selection Point
This time, the "Special Jury Award" will be presented for initiatives that excel in originality and future potential, leading to new value creation, regardless of the evaluation criteria for each category.
Grand Prix Work
"Sea of Moon and Stars ~ Stargazing Show Expanded by Drones ~"
Advertiser or Organizer: Kochi Prefectural Ino Commercial High School
Other Staff: ELEPA Inc. (Drone Show Production Cooperation)
Execution Period: Saturday, November 29, 2025
Held Location: Kochi Prefectural Ino Commercial High School Gymnasium, Ino Town, Agawa District, Kochi Prefecture
Number of Drones: 30 units
Comment from Japan Drone Show Association
From this year's award-winning works, we can see that drone shows are not limited to mere 'aerial performances' but are expanding into various fields such as education, community development, and entertainment. We expect even more diverse applications to advance in the future. JDSA will continue to support the development of drone show culture.
Detailed judge comments and introductions of each work can be viewed on the official website below.
Official HP: https://droneshow.jp/news/m7p7q9qyy
Contact Information
Japan Drone Show Association
Japan Drone Show Creativity Awards Secretariat
Mail: info@droneshow.jp
Association Overview: (https://droneshow.jp/)
Name: Japan Drone Show Association
English Name: Japan Drone Show Association
Location: Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza B, 5-9-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Establishment Date: July 30, 2024
Representative Director: Komei Sasaki (Representative Director, Red Cliff Inc.)
~ Future Moving Experiences Starting from Japan's Skies ~
The Japan Drone Show Association was established with the aim of developing the drone show industry and improving its safety. It contributes to industry quality improvement by establishing technical standards and making recommendations on related regulations, and promotes its spread both domestically and internationally. Its mission is to deliver 'future moving experiences starting from Japan's skies' to many people through drone shows.
About the "Japan Drone Show Creativity Awards 2025"
This second edition targeted drone shows conducted in Japan from January 1 to December 31, 2025. JDSA (Directors, Advisors, External Special Judges) evaluated them from multifaceted perspectives such as technology, directing, and planning, with the aim of presenting new possibilities for drone shows. An awards ceremony was held in Tokyo on March 31, 2026, featuring presentations by the awardees and commentary from the judges.
Scene of the Awards Ceremony
On March 31, 2026, an awards ceremony was held at a venue in Minato-ku, Tokyo. Companies, local governments, and creators involved in drone shows gathered, and awardees shared explanations of their works and behind-the-scenes production details. Special judge Daisuke Kono, editor-in-chief of Drone Journal, provided commentary, and there was also interaction among the speakers, making it a gathering place for industry professionals.
Award Contents
[Most Drone Count Category]
Selection Point
Selected from the drone shows that used the most drones in Japan in 2025.
Grand Prix Work
"One World, One Planet."
Advertiser or Organizer: The Association for the 2025 World Exposition (Expo 2025 Osaka)
Drone Show Operations Company: Red Cliff Inc.
Execution Period: October 13, 2025 (Monday, holiday)
Held Location: Sea area above Yumishima (1-chome Yumishima Naka, Konohana Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture)
Number of Drones: 3,000 units
[Entertainment Category]
Selection Point
Evaluates the value as a comprehensive entertainment show, including elements that entertain visitors and the overall excitement of the venue.
Grand Prix Work
"STAR ISLAND 2025"
Advertiser or Organizer: STAR ISLAND Executive Committee
Drone Show Operations Company: Red Cliff Inc.
Event Operations Company: Avex Live Creative Inc.
Execution Period: May 24 (Sat) & 25 (Sun), 2025
Held Location: Odaiba Seaside Park, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Number of Drones: 1,800 units
[Regional Revitalization Category]
Selection Point
Evaluates the value as a regional revitalization project, including attractive directing that utilizes the region's characteristics and projects that contribute to the region.
Grand Prix Work
"Nankai Drone Phantom Night Festival ~ The Shining Colors of the Ascending Supporter ~"
Advertiser or Organizer: Fukushima Prefecture
Drone Show Operations Company: White Crow Inc.
Event Operations Company: Fukushima Prefecture (Direct Management)
Other Staff: Zero Kara Utsushi Hajimemasu. (Otaku Gei)
Execution Period: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Held Location: Okawa Furusato Park, Shimogo Town, Minamiaizu District, Fukushima Prefecture
Number of Drones: 300 units
[Advertising & Promotion Category]
Selection Point
Evaluates effective directing and branding that leverages the characteristics of drone shows for purposes such as expanding recognition, generating buzz, and promoting sales.
Grand Prix Work
"Oronamin C 60th Anniversary 'Energetic Singing in the Sky'"
Advertiser or Organizer: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Drone Show Operations Company: Red Cliff Inc.
Advertising Agency: Hakuhodo Inc.
Event Operations Company: C3 FILM Inc.
Execution Period:
① July 27, 2025 (Sun) Otaru Tide Festival, Hokkaido
② August 30, 2025 (Sat) "Omagari Fireworks" 97th National Fireworks Competition, Akita Prefecture
③ October 11, 2025 (Sat) Kounosu Fireworks Festival, Saitama Prefecture
④ October 18, 2025 (Sat) Yatsushiro National Fireworks Competition, Kumamoto Prefecture
⑤ November 8, 2025 (Sat) Nishi-Awa Fireworks, Tokushima Prefecture
Held Location:
① (Hokkaido) Base of Otaru Port Pier No. 3
② (Akita Prefecture) Omagari Riverside Park
③ (Saitama Prefecture) Kounosu City Nukata Sports Park and Arakawa Riverbed
④ (Kumamoto Prefecture) Kuma River Riverside Green Space, Yatsushiro City
⑤ (Tokushima Prefecture) Nishi-Awa Health and Disaster Prevention Park, Tokushima Prefecture
Number of Drones: Approx. 1,300 units
[Social Communication Category]
Selection Point
Evaluates the message and social significance of shows aimed at solving Japan's social issues or having a societal impact.
Keywords: Social significance | Message | Technical skill & completion | Directing & creativity | Visual impact
Grand Prix Work
"Noto Yosakoi Festival & Wakura Onsen Reconstruction Drone Show"
Advertiser or Organizer: Wakura Onsen Tourism Association / Wakura Onsen Ryokan Cooperative Wakura Onsen Yunofushi Shopping Street / Wakura Onsen Merchants Association Wakura Onsen Creative Reconstruction Town Development Promotion Council
Drone Show Operations Company: Red Cliff Inc.
Other Staff: Shinichi Kudo (Director)
Execution Period: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Held Location: Wakura Onsen area, Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Number of Drones: 500 units
[Under 300 Category]
Selection Point
Evaluates works that create high value through innovative ideas and directing in small-scale drone shows (under 300 units) and entertain visitors.
Keywords: Ingenuity unique to small scale | Cost performance | Technical skill & completion | Directing & creativity | Visual impact
Grand Prix Work
"Strait Drone Art"
Advertiser or Organizer: Shimonoseki Port Authority, Drone School Shimonoseki (A-commerce Co., Ltd.)
Drone Show Operations Company: A-commerce Co., Ltd.
Event Operations Company: A-commerce Co., Ltd.
Execution Period: Pre-execution October 25, 2025 (Sat) / Full execution start November 15, 2025 (Sat)
Collaborative event for Risonare Shimonoseki opening on December 11, 2025 (Thu)
Subsequently held monthly, with the finale on March 21
Held Location: Karato Area, Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture (Arukappu Port, Green Park)
Number of Drones: 100 units (300 units for the finale only)
[Special Jury Award]
Selection Point
This time, the "Special Jury Award" will be presented for initiatives that excel in originality and future potential, leading to new value creation, regardless of the evaluation criteria for each category.
Grand Prix Work
"Sea of Moon and Stars ~ Stargazing Show Expanded by Drones ~"
Advertiser or Organizer: Kochi Prefectural Ino Commercial High School
Other Staff: ELEPA Inc. (Drone Show Production Cooperation)
Execution Period: Saturday, November 29, 2025
Held Location: Kochi Prefectural Ino Commercial High School Gymnasium, Ino Town, Agawa District, Kochi Prefecture
Number of Drones: 30 units
Comment from Japan Drone Show Association
From this year's award-winning works, we can see that drone shows are not limited to mere 'aerial performances' but are expanding into various fields such as education, community development, and entertainment. We expect even more diverse applications to advance in the future. JDSA will continue to support the development of drone show culture.
Detailed judge comments and introductions of each work can be viewed on the official website below.
Official HP: https://droneshow.jp/news/m7p7q9qyy
Contact Information
Japan Drone Show Association
Japan Drone Show Creativity Awards Secretariat
Mail: info@droneshow.jp
Association Overview: (https://droneshow.jp/)
Name: Japan Drone Show Association
English Name: Japan Drone Show Association
Location: Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza B, 5-9-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Establishment Date: July 30, 2024
Representative Director: Komei Sasaki (Representative Director, Red Cliff Inc.)
~ Future Moving Experiences Starting from Japan's Skies ~
The Japan Drone Show Association was established with the aim of developing the drone show industry and improving its safety. It contributes to industry quality improvement by establishing technical standards and making recommendations on related regulations, and promotes its spread both domestically and internationally. Its mission is to deliver 'future moving experiences starting from Japan's skies' to many people through drone shows.