Over two days, September 6 (Sat) and 7 (Sun), the Photo Festival CuiCui 2025 was held at the Sapporo TV Tower. To share the appeal of waterside environments and promote the Kawatabi Hokkaido initiative, a Kawatabi booth was exhibited at the event. Around 4,000 people visited over the two days, and the venue was lively throughout.

Photo Festival CuiCui is an event founded by photographer Mayumi Watanabe, representative of Hokkaido Camera Girls’ Association, with the aim of creating a place where women in Hokkaido who love photography and cameras can enjoy hands-on experiences and learning opportunities.

By the way, “CuiCui” (pronounced kyui-kyui) is said to be a French-style equivalent of “Say cheese,” used as a cue when taking photos.

The Sapporo TV Tower, the event venue. I went inside the tower for the first time in eight years. CuiCui 2025 was held on the second floor. Perfect weather for a festive day.

Directional signage to the venue. A little nerve-wracking.

Inside the venue. In addition to the Kawatabi booth, camera and lens manufacturers also had exhibits. Many visitors had cameras hanging around their necks, which left a strong impression.

A corner displaying photos submitted through the open call for this event. Many works were by women, giving a gentle overall impression. Selected pieces were awarded on the final day.

The Kawatabi Hokkaido booth. Of the 34 waterside photos on display, four were selected from the ongoing “#KawatabiPhoto2025 Instagram Posting Campaign,” and the rest were all taken by photographer Hanzawa.

Photographer Hanzawa in conversation with visitors about the displayed photos.

Photographer Hanzawa cheerfully responding to a steady stream of visitors. Conversations about behind-the-scenes stories of the photos sparked repeated reactions like “Amazing!” and “So beautiful!” When someone finally asked, “Could you sign this?” Hanzawa replied shyly, “A signature might be a bit much…,” though he didn’t seem entirely displeased.

“TV Tosan” paid a courtesy visit to the Kawatabi booth. On the way out, he accidentally knocked over a canvas stand placed nearby and apologized repeatedly for the mishap.

When a small child burst into tears upon seeing TV Tosan, he tried to cheer them up by standing and sitting, bowing, and even wiggling the antenna on his head, performing a surprisingly wide range of movements that amazed those around him. Unfortunately, the child did not stop crying.
Permission has been obtained from the Sapporo TV Tower to publish images of “TV Tosan.”