Instagram Hashtag Campaign Commemorating the 150th Anniversary of Yamagata Prefecture's Establishment (Submissions Open Until Friday, August 14)

Yamagata Prefecture was officially established on August 21, Meiji 9 (1876), when its current regional boundaries were finalized, marking its 150th anniversary this year. To commemorate this occasion, we are launching an Instagram hashtag campaign under the theme "Here's What I Love About Yamagata—Let's Preserve It for the Future!" and are now accepting submissions.

Selected entries will be reposted (shared again) on Yamagata Prefecture's official Instagram account. The top three entries with the most "likes" will receive a "Special Prize," while 10 other participants will be randomly selected to receive a "Lucky Prize." Additionally, submitted works may be actively used on the prefecture's official website and social media channels.

Why not share your favorite photo capturing breathtaking scenery, delicious cuisine, or memorable travel experiences in Yamagata? We welcome participation not only from residents within the prefecture but also from those outside Yamagata who have visited the region!

【Overview of the 'True Yamagata' Instagram Hashtag Campaign Commemorating the 150th Anniversary of Yamagata Prefecture】

■ Eligibility

(1) Open to all regardless of age, gender, nationality, residence, or professional/amateur status. However, participants must reside in Japan, have their own Instagram account, and follow the prefecture's official Instagram account.

(2) Minors must have parental consent. By submitting an entry, minors are considered to have obtained such consent.

■ Submission Requirements

(1) Since posts from private accounts cannot be verified, submissions must be made from public accounts.

(2) Entries that are identical or similar to works previously awarded in other contests and can be confirmed online are not eligible.

(3) Submitted works may be used for the prefecture's public relations, promotional, and marketing activities. Only those who agree to无偿 secondary use should submit entries. If image data is requested, the prefecture's official account will contact the participant individually via Instagram's direct messaging feature.

(4) The prefecture assumes no responsibility for any third-party rights (e.g., portrait rights, copyright) infringed upon by subjects visible in the submitted works. Participants are responsible for ensuring their entries do not violate such rights.

■ Submission Theme

"Here's What I Love About Yamagata—Let's Preserve It for the Future!"

We are seeking photos and videos of enjoyable places, relaxing spots, historical sites, moving landscapes, experiences, crafts, traditional events, culture, gourmet food, and more within Yamagata Prefecture that you would like to preserve for future generations.

■ How to Enter

(1) Follow Yamagata Prefecture's official Instagram account (@pref_yamagata)

(2) Post a photo or video, tagging the official account and including the following in the caption:

・ Entry hashtag: #KokosukiYamagata150

・ Your thoughts or stories about the subject

(3) When posting, please note the following:

Note 1) You may submit multiple times, but the same work cannot be entered more than once.

Note 2) If a single post contains multiple images, only the first image will be considered.

Note 3) Works that combine multiple images into one (e.g., collages) are not eligible.

Note 4) The date the photo or video was taken is not restricted, but only works posted during the submission period are eligible. Submissions must be original works taken by the participant.

Note 5) Please do not delete your submission data during the submission period, as the Public Relations and Outreach Promotion Division may request the original data.

(4) The Public Relations and Outreach Promotion Division will select entries to repost on the official prefectural account.

■ Campaign Schedule

(1) Submission Period: Friday, August 14, Reiwa 8 (2026)

(2) Voting Deadline: Friday, August 21, Reiwa 8 (2026)

■ Prize Determination and Announcement

(1) Special Prize

The top three entries with the most "likes" by the voting deadline will be awarded the Special Prize. If the same participant wins multiple top spots, the next highest entries will be promoted to ensure three distinct winners.

(2) Lucky Prize

Ten winners will be randomly selected from all entrants (excluding Special Prize winners) to receive the Lucky Prize.

(3) Winning entries for the Special Prize will be announced on the prefecture's official Instagram account and official website.

(4) The Public Relations and Outreach Promotion Division will contact winners individually via Instagram direct message from the official account to arrange prize delivery. This message will serve as official notification of winning.

■ Prizes

Special Prize: Prefectural product gift set worth 15,000 yen (3 winners)

Lucky Prize: Prefectural product gift set worth 3,000 yen (10 winners)

■ Important Notes

By participating in the 'True Yamagata' Instagram Hashtag Campaign commemorating the 150th anniversary of Yamagata Prefecture (hereinafter referred to as 'this campaign'), participants are deemed to have agreed to the following terms:

(1) This campaign is not supported, operated, endorsed, or affiliated with Instagram. When using Instagram, please also comply with Instagram's terms of service in addition to these notes.

(2) If a participant deletes their account during the submission period, if the subject or shooting location is found to have low relevance to Yamagata Prefecture, or if the Public Relations and Outreach Promotion Division otherwise deems participation inappropriate for campaign management purposes, the prefecture reserves the right to remove the image from its official account and invalidate the entry.

(3) Winners of each prize category will be asked to provide personal information (prize delivery address). This information will be used solely for the purpose of delivering prizes to winners.

(4) Participants acknowledge the risks associated with online communication. The Public Relations and Outreach Promotion Division assumes no liability for any leakage of personal information due to illegal acts by third parties, provided the division is not at fault.

(5) These terms may be changed without prior notice to ensure proper campaign operation. In such cases, updates will be posted on the prefecture's official account and official website to inform participants.

【Yamagata Prefecture Official Website】

https://www.pref.yamagata.jp/020026/150anniversary/150instagram.html