Miki Taira, Miyakojima, Okinawa Prefecture

Husband who puts up with me without complaining
Daughter who puts up with me even though she complains

I Love My Mommy

Yuka Kitawaki, Uda City, Nara Prefecture

This is the first photo she took at the beach.
When her mommy is in front of her, she gives us a special smile!

Three generations

Maiko Matsuno, Fuchu City, Tokyo

Three generations with the victory lanterns at the Fuchu City Kurayami Festival

Fireworks and Clenched Fists

Reika Kojima, Koto-ku, Tokyo

This is first time for my 2-year-old daughter to see fireworks. She is a medically-dependent child with a tracheotomy (breathing tube inserted in her throat). She cannot yet stand on her own, but was able to enjoy them being held by my husband. This is a precious photo of her with one hand holding the fireworks and the other small fist tightly clenched.

I’m a Famous Photographer

Shinichi Kawamoto, Kiyose City, Tokyo

There is a well known ginkgo tree-lined street at Wataba in Nakagawa Village, Nagano Prefecture. On fine autumn days, it is crowded with many people. On this day, I met this happy family.

Father and Son at Graduation Ceremony

Sanae Kojima, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Family Gives Thanks to the Guardian Deity

Yosuke Sasaki, Yokohama, Kanagawa

Photo commemorating the 30th anniversary of the pilgrimage to Yokohama Honmoku Shrine with my daughter, who works as a maiden at the shrine. Our whole family visits the shrine every year with a feeling of gratitude to the guardian deity.

An Important Day

Yuki Maruyama, Kodaira, Tokyo

We celebrated my son’s birthday by having a cake he made of his favorite character Transformers Optimus. I was amazed at how well it came out.

Three Generations of Parents and Children Who Love Mikoshi ! !

Furuya Manami

I ♡ mikoshi and festivals.

Swing

Tomitokoro, Kami, Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture

I took this photo on a beautiful day when the weather was perfect.

Shun Kamisango, Otaru, Hokkaido

The baby born in October is growing well and now joins us in our silly family photos.

My Mother and Sister Basking in the Sun

Tadokoro Kazutoshi, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Photo was taken when I went back to my parents’ house this spring.
Even I, the eldest child, felt warm and fuzzy seeing how comfortable they looked!

Hey, Come On!

Kasumi Utsuyama, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture

When mom called out, I made a quick U-turn and snapped this moment my younger brother started running to her.

Sunflowers x Big Yawns

Hirama Sakiko, Yuki City, Ibaraki Prefecture

My daughter always gets sleepy when I hold her in my arms.
She’s sleepy again today (ღ*ˇ ˇ*)｡o♡

Fiji

Kei Hosaka, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture

Last summer, when the coronavirus pandemic was coming to an end, we were finally able to travel abroad.

All down for a swimming

SAISHO Hitomi, Fuchū City, Tokyo

This summer, the whole family was down in Okinawa where the sea is so inviting that we all took up snorkeling. Our 6 year old son took it all in stride: a natural swimmer, his first time snorkeling.

NEWS IS…

TSUCHIYA Eri, Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture

News is we finished eating! so what are we waiting for?

First time to the beach, whirling through air

MERKS Marina, Nakano City, Tokyo

Born just last year, this year was her first time to the beach. After getting her feet wet, Dad sent her for a whirl on his “Allez-oop”.

Father & Son

KADOBAYASHI Kenshirō, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture

Took this picture at this year’s Field Day. We were all so happy and had such a wonderful time, …such precious memories.

My Treasure

YASUDA Sonoka, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture

I caught them at their happiest.

That First Hug

ha_lu.829　(Instagram)

This was our first photo, our two sons meet & greet, taken shortly after getting back from the hospital. From that first tantalizing hug, big brother’s been so gentle and attentive, it makes me bleary-eyed.

OFF WITH THE MASKS !!

NAKAGAWA Yūki, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture

We were waste deep in a field full of rape blossoms when our child suddenly decided that it was “masks off, no need for that out here!”.

The cat and me

IIDA Yoshiyuki, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture

My mother’s in a wheel chair now, but with her cat along, it’s actually quite enjoyable.

Grape picking 101

KUSUDA Sōjirō, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu

Grape picking was a first for all of us… We had such a wonderful time stuffing ourselves with grapes, surrounded by a world of dappled light and sweet aromas. I don’t think we’ll ever forget it.

Good Morning !

KIM Kirari, Amagasaki City, Hyōgo Prefecture

It’s Dad’s birthday ♥ We lit up the candles and whooped up a welcome. Happy birthday dad!! the one who comes home tired and worn from shifting home to work and back again and again. It’s rough, but we love you for it !

Where We Were One

iccha_yuki (Instagram)

What makes me marvel is how this father of ours can see things from his child’s perspective, move along at the same pace and make our child’s discoveries feel so important.

White Wall, Old Friend

koto_photo (Instagram)

I don’t know how often I’ve passed by this old, white wall, always thinking: “great place for a portrait !” But try holding down 3 kids for a selfie, a bit wild but we got it done.

Good Day for Smiles

AMANO Mari, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture

We hadn’t even moved in yet, but when we stopped by for a visit and discovered that our new, wooden garden deck was done: INSTANT PARTY! – we broke out the soap bubbles to celebrate …and when we left, our shiny, new deck was covered with stains.

All for One and One for All: by height ! \ (^o^) /

MURASA Asuka, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture

This time it was the Head Man who seemed to be having the most fun.

Hey Mom, seem to be falling here

TEZUKA Mitsuji, Kakegawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Hanging Out

yumama0604 (Instagram)

It was our son’s birthday. We used our clothesline for a photo booth.

Calligraphy for Parents and Children

Nitta Hideo, Ota-ku, Tokyo

I couldn’t write my calligraphy homework for the winter break very well, so I asked my mother, who is a skilled calligrapher, for help. I managed to write something that I could submit.

I’m Still Going Strong!

Matsuzaki Toshihisa, Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture

I’m just grateful to my reliable successor.

What Are They Watching?

Ando Sayo, Hachioji City, Tokyo

While I was making lunch, I saw my father and daughter watching TV in the same pose.

The Joy of Harvesting

Sari Higuchi, Iwanuma City, Miyagi Prefecture

We finally managed to harvest the zucchini that was difficult to harvest due to bad weather!

With My Sons, Now 5 and 3 Years Old

Fumika Niimura, Konan City, Aichi Prefecture

I wonder how long I can hold them both at the same time. Just thinking about that makes me sad…
I want to hold them until they get tired of me!

Dad Struggles with Three Daughters

Konomi Baba, Ageo City, Saitama Prefecture

The Miracle of Caregiving

Mizuki Takano, Kita Ward, Osaka City

My grandmother, who was losing her memory, miraculously smiled as she touched the cheek of my mother, who was caring for her. It was a moment of joy and tears.

Fun Playing in the Park

Adachi Asami, Ebetsu City, Hokkaido

Visiting the Shrine

Yokoyama Shusaku, Toyono District, Osaka Prefecture

On the way back from visiting Mount Koya in Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture. A son assisting his mother.

Sleep together

Matsumoto Tadayoshi, Suita City, Osaka Prefecture

It was my wife’s birthday, so I was putting our twin daughters to bed so that she could take it easy for once. While I was putting the second daughter to bed, I fell asleep with her, and this is the photo my wife took at that time.

Let’s do our best again tomorrow!!

Okabe Kahori Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture

Photo Taken at Seo Shrine in Kyoto⭐️

matsuriengine

Photo When My Daughter Was an University Student.
I am still grateful to my kind daughter!

Let’s Cook!

Niima Machiko, Setagaya Ward, Tokyo

We made Twice-Cooked Pork and Mapo Tofu together. I wonder if I’m getting better little by little by helping out every day?

Evening Stroll

Haseda Eri, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Feeling the wind blowing through the rice fields, I quietly end the day.

Potato chips eaten in the middle of Lake Chuzenji are the best

Sato Junichi, Inzai City, Chiba Prefecture

I found a crab

Morimoto Marika, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City

I went to take maternity photos of my sister who is pregnant with her second child. My son was supposed to help out with his camera, but when we got to the beach he found crabs and sea lice and had a blast.

My sixth grandchild’s first birthday party

Noboru Yamano

A Candid Moment of Joy

Fahad Rai, Pakistan

A mother watches her son swing on a boathouse overlooking the Indus River, and they have a great time together.
Photo by Kot Addu (India)

Photo at the sea

Ayaka

It’s getting hot

Satomi ARATANI

幸せな重み

Yui さん

満開のコスモス畑

戸田美香 さん

Smiling Baby♡♡

Cotars

夏休み最後の家族時間

いのっち さん

Father’s Day Forever! …Thank you.

asu ☺︎

窓を開けていると

shihori さん

Like three sisters out on the town: lookalikes!

Matsuri Engine

Daddy and Grandma

Kodomozuki

Prize: Gold Edition

What makes OYAKO?

As far as I can see: My Father, ME, My Daughter, My Grandchildren

– FOUR GENERATIONS –

Kazuaki NATSUME

Prize: The CHOYA Gift Edition

! PAPAaaaaaaa !

SHINICHIRO (Tokyo)

Prize: Umeshibori

1歳最後の特別な1日。

Konatsu

父ちゃんと仲良しで何が悪い

祭エンジン さん

大きくなったら一緒に祭やろうな

祭エンジン さん

「パパすごーーーい」と目がハート

キラキラ さん

Big smiles against umbrella skies

aima_ma

家族写真は白で統一

Minori

Father and Daughter

yotsuha.u

Maternity

Hiroshi NIREI

Best Ride

chyappi

Walking the dikes in our neighborhood one evening while hunting for bugs. My daughter’s in her favorite position for any stroll, riding piggyback on Papa’s shoulders.

Evening Prayer

ryu0615

Since the birth of my eldest son, we’ve been making a family portrait every year. This year, we were lucky again, getting a glorious sunset over the Sea of Japan as our background. We’ll be back here next year—same time, same place—that’s my constant prayer through the years as I watch my children grow.

Flying the Skies !!

Min0000

It’d been a while since my daughter and I were on a swing together.

Up, Up and Away

nyaoko0222

A blue sky for the New Year with my son and I out Kite Flying.
Run, run ! To the top of the sky.

The Whole Family

Yokkon

Crossing the finish line together at Osaka Prefecture’s Minoh City Marathon

Full House

aym.b

An ever-ready father takes three in tow.

Cousins

sana821

Born 2 months apart, my younger sister’s daughter next to my own daughter: this was the cousins first meeting. In the background, big smiles all around.

The Best Beer Ever

Nyaorei

I have no idea where he picked up the moves. “Can I pour you some beer,” was all he said. A father smiling on as his son diligently fills his glass. Maybe, one day, when his son is old enough to drink with him, the memory will bring back tears.

Whispers

Kan0618

When my son, who loves skin diving, is under water with me, he tells me secrets.

Papa & Daughter Frogs

amosmegu

Two figures, one on top of the other: father and daughter like two Russian dolls. They looked so alike I laughed.

Festival Fans

Yodogawa Taro

I guess the candy apples were good, judging by their expressions. Happy children’s faces are a mother’s bliss. You can see it on her face.

Then and Now

Hamayan0716

I wanted to capture an image of our aging. Once we all took the same pose, we had it !

Festival

FUYUKA

Let’s have some coffee

RAKUI

Time for coffee. Oddly enough, our son helped out this time.

A Long Journey’s End

ichiroichiro

These two elementary schoolers dreamed of visiting The Wave. I accompanied them to Arizona. The journey was long, but as you can see, their wish was fulfilled.

Together We’ll Win

ohky

By working together, Father and son made it up the hill, with all the camping equipment.

JUMP!

aym.b

Papa… let’s read a book

Atagonia

A picture of my daughter just at the age where she discovered being read to was fun. Every book was a discovery : what’ll we read next, Daddy !? When she’s listening, she looks completely  “wrapped”  in joy.

Joy and Blushes at Seven

Kiya

Mother and daughter photographed by the father.

Spring at Our House

mmpenf

Out of the hospital and home to enjoy our very own cherry blossoms.

All for One and One for All

numao

With the recent birth of our daughter, our New Year’s family photo turned into a special affair.

SHOWA – HEISEI – REIWA

NiraP

Full Family Outing

syunn

Three generations including our newest, one-year-old granddaughter turned out for kelp drying this year. Each and every one of us lent a hand in hanging out the seaweed to dry.

Smiles from on High

Nonna

Thank You Thank You Thank You

take*

Flowers : a surprise present for Mom. A picture from the Shichi-Go-San Festival Day.

Carp Streamers for All !

Riosaho

Down at the riverbed, they had a stand where you could play with carp streamers. It was F-U-N !!

Could You Wait a Second…

Konitan

A shot taken at Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival. With this kind of early training from his father, he’s bound to make a worthy retainer at anyone’s festival.

Total Bliss

situation

We’re bringing our kids up to like activities; they especially like them outdoors. This was their first tent experience. Finding themselves in a space with nothing turned out to be total bliss.

MY HERO

chyappi

Papa takes her to all kinds of different places. Here he is at Toei Kyoto Studio Park dressed up like a samurai, whisking our one and only to safety. The picture has him roaring with laughter. And yes, he’s our hero !

Your the Sun in My Sky

Niraikanai

…and your ready smile keeps me afloat !

Family of Four

Taipyon

Onward, and into the light

-Masa.-

A favorite place to be

JUMP!

aym.b

Papa… let’s read a book

Atagonia

A picture of my daughter just at the age where she discovered being read to was fun. Every book was a discovery : what’ll we read next, Daddy !? When she’s listening, she looks completely  “wrapped”  in joy.

Joy and Blushes at Seven

Kiya

Mother and daughter photographed by the father.

Spring at Our House

mmpenf

Out of the hospital and home to enjoy our very own cherry blossoms.

All for One and One for All

numao

With the recent birth of our daughter, our New Year’s family photo turned into a special affair.

SHOWA – HEISEI – REIWA

NiraP

Full Family Outing

syunn

Three generations including our newest, one-year-old granddaughter turned out for kelp drying this year. Each and every one of us lent a hand in hanging out the seaweed to dry.

Smiles from on High

Nonna

Thank You Thank You Thank You

take*

Flowers : a surprise present for Mom. A picture from the Shichi-Go-San Festival Day.

Carp Streamers for All !

Riosaho

Down at the riverbed, they had a stand where you could play with carp streamers. It was F-U-N !!

Could You Wait a Second…

Konitan

A shot taken at Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival. With this kind of early training from his father, he’s bound to make a worthy retainer at anyone’s festival.

Total Bliss

situation

We’re bringing our kids up to like activities; they especially like them outdoors. This was their first tent experience. Finding themselves in a space with nothing turned out to be total bliss.

MY HERO

chyappi

Papa takes her to all kinds of different places. Here he is at Toei Kyoto Studio Park dressed up like a samurai, whisking our one and only to safety. The picture has him roaring with laughter. And yes, he’s our hero !

Your the Sun in My Sky

Niraikanai

…and your ready smile keeps me afloat !

Family of Four

Taipyon

Onward, and into the light

-Masa.-

A favorite place to be

父子愛

“Paternal Love”

At Hakata’s Yamakasa festival, while clutching one child to my shoulders with one arm, at my feet, I’m using my other arm to help save the other one who fell in the gushing water spray. This must say something about paternal love.

Together forever

gamma

Sledding

ryu0615

First time with Mom on a sled. Total thrills & blistering excitement!

The old man’s getting older

tomi23

A picture from our visit to the local shrine.

We Can Touch the Sky!

ユリ◎

A picture near Taipei’s Shogshan Airport. The plane was coming in low over our heads for a landing. We got excited about feeling we could just reach up and touch it.

If We Just Work Together

ゆうこねこ

Three generations rolling dumplings around the table. In the twinkling of an eye, this family’s female line covered the table with gyōza. It’s not just more fun working together: it tastes better too.

Precious Moments

situation

Constantly busy with work, I always try to make time for our family. Just to capture some memories, I put the self-timer on the camera and caught this moment.

Warmth

manuka

On a cold day in winter, my daughter wouldn’t stop crying, but it wasn’t about food. It was about a mother’s warmth.

Island Memory

chyappi

One shot from our family trip to Shōdo Island’s Twenty-four Eyes Movie Village.

Family Finish

鼻まがり

At the end of a grueling triathlon, the family cheering section crossed the last finish line with their father.

Sleeping Together is Better

ふっきぃ

They were just playing with each other when I noticed they’d fallen asleep. My son’s enchanted by the warmth of his father’s big body and my husband doesn’t seem to mind the dead weight of his sleeping son.

The Parents are Lovey Dovey

shoot☆

A wedding photo taken by a friend. My son has such a dapper and charming smile. It makes me feel that family is a good thing when I see it (^^)

Loving Expectations

ハッサ

It’s a small beginning. Wrapped in your parent’s warmth, grow!

A Mother and Daughter’s Treasure

ありみ

I took this picture of my daughter and grandchild, both enchanted by this sunset caught in a crystal ball.

Toothbrush in Progress

mekk

The twins having a knee fight over Dad’s final polishing service. Since he can’t handle more than one at a time, the twin’s brother pitched in. Rather than complain, the twins just thought it was even more fun.

Discovery: This is a Ball

nyaoko0222

Playing ball with Papa under the cherry blossoms. Considering it was her first time, our daughter must be a natural. She was so good at tossing it. She really didn’t want to stop.

Who’s the Tallest?

ユト

They had a tremendous squabble over it, but there can only be one winner.

Three Sisters

荒野のいさたん

I got my two sisters together with our mother to get this photo of all four of us.

Fish Don’t See the Water, People Don’t see the Sky

takayoforsyth

No matter how precious they may be, we seem to lose sight of the things that are closest to us. We forget their value as well as our appreciation. When I took this photo, I remembered these words. Let’s cherish our families.

New Year’s Resolutions

syunn

My son came home with his family this New Year. Here they dedicated their first calligraphy of the year to some New Year’s wishes.

A DATE WITH MY DAUGHTER

-Masa.-

COME WALK WITH ME

ゆかんこ8787

THE OPERATION WAS A SUCCESS

よっしー７７

My father had an operation. It was a difficult procedure but everything went well. To the doctors, my eternal thanks.

WHO LOVES SWEATS…

鈴鹿山太郎

March 1st is my mother-in-law’s birthday. We had a small party. She was born back in the Meiji period when nobody celebrated birthdays, so it’s kind of meaningless to her, but what she did recognize was her favorite cake sitting right in front of her. That made her really happy. We’d all had a lovely dinner together. Grandmother’s joy was icing on the cake.

LOOKING FORWAD TO MEETING YOU

にじは

I was taking a maternity photo for an acquaintance and caught this moment that had made me smile.

HOW’S THIS !? ….AND HOW ‘BOUT THIS !?

みみちゃんぺ

Once in front of the camera, our daughter struck one pose after another, and just by her side, my husband did his best to imitate them. It was just like aerobics class at the gym.

THREE GENERATIONS ON THE MARCH

Ichigen

We were celebrating Grandmother’s 60th birthday and, to honor the moment, decided to all join hands and walk as a family.

PREFERRED SEATING

リンナ

My daughter watching fireworks while perched on my back. A tender summer memory I will never let go of.

TAKE THE WEIGHT

♪みゃみぃ♪

When they were small, my husband didn’t have any trouble giving both our daughters a piggyback ride at the same time. Now they’ve gotten quite a bit bigger, but he’s still fighting the good fight, yelling with enthusiasm “C’mon, I can still carry the two of you.” I just wonder how long they’ll keep asking.

4 GENERATIONS

haruka1213

The newest arrival is a hundred years younger than grandma, and wouldn’t stop crying either (sorry about that….).

PRIDE

kai_naito

June 18, the day for our LGBT parade just happened to be the same day as Father’s Day. This happened in Portland, Oregon. The camera caught both my father and I smiling. I’ll never forget the moment or the day.

JUST MOM AND THE KIDS

aym.b

As my daughters grow up, I get to teach them about more and more different things. Precious moments.

REVELATION FROM ABOVE

ザル洗い

We were all eating when a big fly came in and started buzzing round above our heads. It was a bother until the buzzing suddenly stopped, and hey : where’d that fly go !?

WHACKING HEADS

ぽんじゅ

My son and I stopped off for some fried noodles on a recent vacation. It was so good, we were eating in a dream state, till we finally knocked heads over the plate trying to gobble it all down.

HERE SHE COMES !!

ハタユカ

f

3 SUNS, 2 DAUGHTER’S

ありみ

I snapped this picture of my daughter and granddaughter juggling with balls at day’s end.

RICE-PLANTING SEASON

鼻まがり

He’s only carrying seedlings, but he’s doing it with a shoulder pole. That’s something I’ve never seen nor heard of !!

SHOWDOWN AT SHOGI BOARD

cheki610

We were all visiting the science museum where we found a real shogi board. My husband and son started a game. My husband looks so happy and relaxed.

A TRAIL OF SUNFLOWERS

あっち21

PEEK-A-BOO !!

つなぐゆめ

When my husband gave our daughter a ride on his shoulders, she covered up his head with her dress. And she thought it was really funny. Image of happiness.