The Kyoto Literary Award Executive Committee, comprised of the City of Kyoto, The Kyoto Shimbun, and the Kyoto Association of Publishing Culture, will begin accepting applications for the 6th Kyoto Literary Award and for reader selection committee members starting August 3 (Mon).

The "Kyoto Literary Award" has been held since fiscal year 2019 with the aim of further promoting literature and disseminating the appeal of "Kyoto, the City of Culture."

For the 6th award, we welcome Shoko Sawada (author) and Kaori Fujino (author) as new final selection committee members. We also welcome Hayako Takase (author), Makoto Toriyama (author), and Ushio Hatakeyama (author) as new ambassadors, in addition to the continued support from Go Kajo (author/critic).

Overview

1. Submission of Works

(1) Application Period

August 3, 2026 (Mon) - May 10, 2027 (Mon)

*For mail submissions, postmarks by May 10 will be valid. For applications via the website's form, the deadline is 8:00 PM on the same day.

(2) Works Sought

Unpublished "novels" (any genre) with Kyoto as the theme.

(3) Application Categories

Three categories: "General," "Junior High/High School Student," and "Overseas" (open to both professionals and amateurs).

(4) How to Apply

Submit via the application form on the Kyoto Literary Award website or by mail.

(5) Prizes

General Category

Grand Prize (1): 1 million yen and publication

Excellence Award (1): 500,000 yen

Junior High/High School Student Category

Grand Prize (1): 100,000 yen in book vouchers

Excellence Award (1): 50,000 yen in book vouchers

Overseas Category

Grand Prize (1): 100,000 yen

All Categories

Reader Selection Committee Award (1) (no prize money)

*In addition to the above prizes, awards may be given based on the discussions at the final selection meeting.

(6) Final Selection Committee (Titles omitted, in Japanese alphabetical order)

Shinji Ishii (Author)

Debuted in 1994 with "Amsterdam no Inu." Numerous works include "Mugifumi Kutze" (Tsubota Joji Literary Prize), "Aru Ichinichi" (Oda Sakunosuke Prize), "Akugoe" (Kawai Hayao Story Prize), and "Chiroko" (Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Art Encouragement Prize). "Sensei no Niwa" to be published in 2025, and "Jinsei Funan" in 2026.

<Comment>

Various works have been submitted over the years. The struggles of artisans, youth dedicated to baseball, passion for film, the wandering of foreigners, the love of Heian nobles, the voices of patriots from the late Edo period, the ramblings of university students... Kyoto is a unique place that embraces them all. What kind of stories will color this city this time?

Photo by Masayuki Tomimoto

Shoko Sawada (Author)

Debuted in 2010 with "Kouyu no Ten" (Nakayama Gishu Literary Prize). Numerous works include "Mitsuru Tsuki no Gotoshi Busshi, Jocho" (Booksellers' Choice Historical Fiction Award, Jirō Nitta Prize), "Jakuchū" (Nominated for Naoki Prize, etc.), and "Hoshi Ochite, Nao" (Naoki Prize). "Harukazura" and "Kinpa Ginpa" to be published in 2026.

<Comment>

Kyoto, both in the past and present, is a land brimming with energy that continues to attract many people. I sincerely hope that new facets of this city, where old and new, intellectual and mysterious, all blend seamlessly, will be presented to both readers and writers through the "Kyoto Literary Award."

© Yuko Moriyama / anan

Kaori Fujino (Author)

Debuted in 2006 with "Iiyashii Tori." Numerous works include "Tsume to Me" (Akutagawa Prize) and "Ohanashi Shite Ko-chan" (Frau Literary Award). "Gin'iro Seijin no Yakusoku" and "Donna Ie?" to be published in 2026.

<Comment>

I believe writing a novel is the work of giving new names to things that were previously unknown, unnoticed, overlooked, or abandoned. As someone who has lived in this land for a long time, I look forward to seeing unexpected aspects of Kyoto.

(7) Ambassadors (Titles omitted, in Japanese alphabetical order)

Authors and critics with ties to Kyoto have been appointed as Kyoto Literary Award Ambassadors to assist with PR, including information dissemination through social media.

□ Soichi Kawagoe (Author)

© Bungeishunju Photo Department

□ Hayako Takase (Author)

Photo by Reina Shimada

□ Makoto Toriyama (Author)

Photo by Mitsutoshi Watanabe

□ Yu Nagira (Author)

□ Ushio Hatakeyama (Author)

© Shinchosha

□ Go Kajo (Author/Critic)

□ Mai Mochizuki (Author)

© Bungeishunju

2. Application for Reader Selection Committee Members

We are seeking reader selection committee members to participate in the selection of submitted works (secondary selection, Reader Selection Committee Award selection, and final selection (for a few individuals)).

(1) Application Period

August 3, 2026 (Mon) - January 29, 2027 (Fri)

*For mail submissions, postmarks by January 29 will be valid. For applications via the website's form, the deadline is 8:00 PM on the same day.

(2) Number of Members Sought

Approximately 10 people

(3) How to Apply

Submit via the application form on the Kyoto Literary Award website or by mail.

(4) Notification of Results, etc.

Results will be notified around March 2027 after selection by the organizers. An explanatory session (online) regarding the selection of works will be held around June of the same year.

3. Application Address, etc.

(1) Kyoto Literary Award Website Application Form

https://kyotobungakusyo.com/

(2) Mail Applications

Kyoto Literary Award Executive Committee Secretariat, c/o Kyoto Shimbun COM

604-8567 (address not required)

Attn: "Work Submission" or "Reader Selection Committee"

(3) Inquiries from Applicants

Kyoto Literary Award Executive Committee Secretariat, c/o Kyoto Shimbun COM

604-8567 (address not required)

Attn: "Work Submission" or "Reader Selection Committee"

Phone: 075-241-6172 (Weekdays 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM) FAX: 075-222-2200

Email:

kyotobungakusyo@mb.kyoto-np.co.jp

4. Organizer

Kyoto Literary Award Executive Committee (City of Kyoto, The Kyoto Shimbun, General Incorporated Association Kyoto Association of Publishing Culture, etc.)

5. Future Schedule (Work Selection)

August 3, 2026: Application period begins

May 10, 2027: Application deadline

Early June - : First selection [Critics and other experts]

Late July - : Secondary selection [Reader selection committee members]

Late September - : Reader Selection Committee Award selection [Reader selection committee members]

Late November: Final selection meeting [Final selection committee members]

Mid-January 2028: Announcement of award-winning works and award ceremony

<Inquiries>

Kyoto Literary Award Executive Committee Secretariat (c/o The Kyoto Shimbun COM)

TEL:

075-241-6172 (Weekdays 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM)

Email:

kyotobungakusyo@mb.kyoto-np.co.jp

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