Overcoming the Noto Peninsula Earthquake. A photo of a whale shark at Notojima Aquarium wins third place in the international photography contest “Cosmos Awards.” Image
URL: Yorokobio Co., Ltd. Press Release: September 25, 2025 To members of the media Overcoming the Noto Peninsula earthquake. A photo of a whale shark at Notojima Aquarium won third place in the international photography contest “Cosmos Awards.” Photographer Daiyu Kawanaka’s photo commemorates the whale sharks “Hachibee and Haku” who lost their lives in the Noto Peninsula earthquake and offers encouragement to Noto as it moves toward recovery.
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https://a4-photolife.com ■ Details of the International Photography Contest “Cosmos Awards” Winners The “Cosmos Awards” is an extremely high-level international photography contest in which professional photographers from around the world participate to prove their skills. The biggest feature of this contest is that the judges are not experts in a particular genre, but rather are globally recognized “master photographers” in a wide range of fields, including weddings, portraits, and fine art. Winning third place in the “Wildlife/Animals” category of this prestigious contest is not simply a recognition of technical perfection or the rarity of the subject. It is also a recognition of the photographer’s deep love for the subject and powerful emotional storytelling that moved global authorities in a variety of fields and earned him global recognition through the universal language of photography. ■ The feelings for Noto embodied in the winning works Comment from photographer Daiyu Kawanaka This photo has a special meaning to me. The photo was taken at my beloved Notojima Aquarium in Ishikawa Prefecture. Two whale sharks, “Hachibee” and “Haku,” swim leisurely in the large tank. My wife and daughter were mesmerized by their majestic appearance. The family’s silhouettes overlap through the glass, and the majestic brilliance of life shines. This moment is a family treasure. Unfortunately, Hachibee and Haku passed away and went to heaven in the Noto Peninsula earthquake. That’s why I believe this award is proof that they were truly there, and that they truly moved us. I was able to share the best news I could have with Hachibee and Haku in heaven. Thank you so much. We also dedicate this good news to everyone at Notojima Aquarium, who has made a strong recovery from the devastating damage and has resumed business. We send our heartfelt respect and encouragement to the powerful figure of our new whale shark, Momo, swimming energetically. I hope that through these photographs, the memories of Hachibee and Haku’s life, and the charm of Noto’s beautiful ocean as it moves toward recovery, can be conveyed to as many people as possible. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who supported me, the judges, and my wife and daughter, who were the perfect subjects for me. ■ About “Hachibee and Haku” at Notojima Aquarium Their large bodies, over four meters in length, captivated the viewers as they leisurely swam through the blue tank. Children cheered at their size, while adults lost track of time, captivated by their calm expressions and graceful swimming. Standing in front of the tank gave us a sense of immersion, as if we were in the ocean, and the impression that such great life was right there. Many people visited Notojima Aquarium to meet these two. ■ About the Photo Studio “A4 PHOTO LIFE” This appointment-only photo studio in Nomi City, Ishikawa Prefecture, is more than just a place to take photos. It’s a space filled with the laughter of visiting families, sometimes moving to tears, where heartwarming stories are born. Rather than an
assembly-line shoot, we focus on each and every family, providing a personal touch. This is why the finished photo vividly captures the unique atmosphere, love, and hopes for the future of each family. We offer an experience that will ensure that the photos you take will become a lifelong treasure that will remain cherished even when you look back on them years from now.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/166406/5/166406-5-7b2d1eb8dce945f80e62d01de2ad33d9-3900×2194.jpg 【Studio Overview】 Store Name: A4 PHOTO LIFE Address: 72 Naka Awamachi, Nomi City, Ishikawa Prefecture Access: 7 minutes by car from Nomi-Negami Smart Interchange URL: https://a4-photolife.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a4_photo_life/ [Operating company overview] Company name: Yorokobiwo Co., Ltd. Representative: Representative Director Daiyu Kawanaka Address: 72 Awamachi Naka, Nomi City, Ishikawa Prefecture Establishment date :November 2016 URL:
https://www.yorokobiwo.jp 【Press Inquiries Regarding This Matter】 Yorokobio Co., Ltd. Contact Person: Daiyu Kawanaka TEL: 0761-58-1595 (Business hours: 9:00-18:00) E-mail: info@yorokobiwo.jp