Hamamatsu City annually hosts the "Jukou Prize" Haiku Competition, inviting submissions from across the country to promote haiku culture. The competition is named after the haiku poet Matsushima Jukou, who was born in Toyonishi-cho, Chuo Ward, Hamamatsu City, and is also known for the verse "Hamamatsu wa shutseijo nari hatsugatsuo" (Hamamatsu is a castle of success, first bonito). This year marks the 100th anniversary of Jukou's passing and the 19th iteration of the competition. Submissions are accepted from Wednesday, July 1, 2026, to Wednesday, September 30, 2026, and must arrive by the deadline. Please fill out the required information and submit your entries via postal mail using the dedicated submission form, postcard, or letter paper, by hand delivery, FAX, or email to the Regional Promotion Section of the Higashi Administrative Center. You can also apply through the submission form on the city's official website (the form will only be available during the submission period). For more details, please visit the city's official website. Submission Form URL: https://logoform.jp/form/Savd/1552577 City Official Website URL: https://www.city.hamamatsu.shizuoka.jp/e-shinko/ward/higashiku/haiku/haiku.html Flyers and submission forms can be downloaded from the link below. d49248-536-0f3bdacd5fc6ab343b43f603ad395c30.pdf Outline of the 19th "Jukou Prize" Haiku Competition Theme: There is no specific theme. Please compose your haiku freely. How to Apply: Write the required information on a postcard, letter paper, dedicated submission form, etc., and submit by postal mail, FAX, email, or hand delivery. You can also apply through the submission form on the city's website. Submission Destination: Hamamatsu City Chuo Ward Higashi Administrative Center, Regional Promotion Required Information: Postal code, address, name, school name, grade, division, haiku submission, age group (optional), how you learned about the haiku competition (optional) Number of Submissions: Up to two