2025 is a special year that marks 425 years of friendship between Japan and the Netherlands. This year’s illustration contest was held with kizuna (‘bond’ in Japanese) as the theme to celebrate this anniversary, and we have received many beautiful artworks. Many thanks to all the participants!
The first prize winner’s artwork has now become the key visual of this year’s festival.

The winner of our Illustration Contest is Martine van der Reijden. Congratulations!

Name: Martine van der Reijden
Title: Together (Original title: Samen)
Message: Mutual interest creates a bond!

Thank you very much to all participants for sending the works to the illustration contest for Japan Festival Nederland 2025.

The year 2025 is a special year, commemorating the 425^th anniversary of Japan-Netherlands exchange.

All the entries submitted to the contest were impressive.  Among those, one illustration had a strong appeal — the national flags of both Japan and the Netherlands in background, two girls wearing traditional clothes and holding hands together — a depiction of beautiful friendship.  To the artist of this entry, Ms. Martine van der Reijden, we decided to present the best illustration award.  Congratulations!

We are looking forward to meeting all of you at Japan Festival Nederland 2025!

Yuko Fuse
Chairman of the Japan Festival Foundation

The Japan Festival Illustration Contest 2023

The first prize winner of 2023: Mavelyn De Jesus

The Japan Festival Illustration Contest 2022