Today i attended this years Miss Nippon / Miss Japan (ミス日本グランプリ決定コンテスト) contest and what a day it was. Firstly let me clarify, Miss Nippon and Miss Japan are one and the same, Miss Universe Japan is a different contest which started in 1998.
Miss Japan Pageant
The Miss Japan pageant had existed from 1952 to 1997. During that period, the pageant managed to produce three top 5 finalists and a winner, Akiko Kojima, who claimed the first crown for Japan in 1959.
Miss Universe Japan Pageant
Since its founding in 1998, the Miss Universe Japan pageant, run by acclaimed French national director, Ines Ligron. It has achieved the impressive result of having three top 5 finalists and one winner at the Miss Universe pageant within a short span of 9 years. Ines Ligron was catapulted to the international spotlight when Riyo Mori won Japan’s second Miss Universe crown in Mexico in 2007
Now, on to business – Over a preliminary day of “Competiton” where only the parents of the competitors were allowed, the starting 27 were narrowed to 10 finalists.
In what turned out to be a closed to the public event, i was fortunate enough to be invited and sponsored, the only Gaijin in attendance.
The Winner of Miss Nippon / Miss Japan 2008 – Suzuki Eri (スズキ エリ)
Upon arrival we were met with 8 of last years finalists, a nice way to start the day. The girls included;
- Miss Japan 2007 (Winner): Mika Hagi
- Miss Ocean Day 2007: Sayaka Kawamura
- Miss Kimono 2007: Mari Oneda
- Miss Sky Day 2007: Miki Shimamura
- Miss Nature 2007: Kana Maruta
And rounding off the Top 10: Hitomi Ishikawa, Yuki Kojima, Sayaka Kojima, Sakiko Omura, Yuko Hayata
Then with a Kimono Tea Ceremony we were underway.
In between the Kimono and Bikini parades there was some live music.
The 3 girls to the left that didn’t make it to the final 10 were having lunch on the same table as yours truly. The girl on the right is a past winner of the Miss Title and currently a model for a local magazine, Kankan? Kunkun?, something like that.
Komori Aiko (コモリ アイコ) unfortunately got eliminated before the final 10, she went home with a photo with me though so not all was lost.
Last years Miss Nippon Mika Hagi (ミカ ハギ) getting ready to present and handover the crown.
The Runners up, Miss Kimono 2008, Miss Nature 2008, Miss Sky Day 2008, Miss Ocean Day 2008.
Miss Nippon / Miss Japan 2008 Suzuki Eri (スズキ エリ)
Similar Posts:
- Miss Universe Japan 2008
- Miss Nippon 2008 / Miss Japan 2008 – 28th of January
- Miss Universe Japan 2008 – Hiroko Mima
- Miss Nippon / Miss Japan Contest 2008
- Miss Universe Japan 2009
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Cool shots Neil. I’m green with envy!
Don’t worry mate, I’ll hold the fort while you swan around town!
Wow, looks like you had a great time! I wouldn’t be able to behave myself with so many beautiful Japanese women around. And I bet you didn’t either! The bikini and kimono competitions looked pretty hardcore. There was about to be a girl fight! The girl who one is definitely beautiful, but I feel that there are many just like her walking around Tokyo and Osaka shopping all day. Am I right or am I right? Great post!
No shortage of beautiful women in Japan that’s for sure!
Ahahaha! As a woman, I’d like to comment
Girls and kimonos are pretty but not getting the white underwear. Jazz it up with hot pink or something.
Im sure they all loved going home with a photo of the only gaijin in the house. Miss nippon looks very young and girly, not what you typically see winning pageants.
Then again, the Japanese always have a different way of doing things. The white underwear being an example.
Nice pictures BTW.
Where do they find these woman?
I have some students that could win this thing!
Better yet… Throw them all out and scoop up the Japanese girls from Ala Moana beach park (Oahu) on ANY given day and you could do alot better. In the swimsuit category anyway. And their talents **Cough** might not be **cough**……..
I was a JET teaching in Nagano prefecture in 96-97 – best days of my life – Japan rocks!
Big fan myself Danny, big fan!
Hello,
I have a blog with nice pictures from all over the world that people take when they are on holiday or just when they want to share the beauty of the place they are living in. I saw some nice pictures on your blog, would you be ok to send me a few so I could add them?
My email is Yourbestworldspots@yahoo.com and the blog adress is http://yourbestworldspot.blogspot.com/, don’t hesitate to come and have a look!!
Thanks for your help
JB
Feel free to copy any images directly from the site JB, just send a link back my way please.
Great pics – looked like an action packed day.
Looks like you had a killer time with some gorgeous women
BTW Neil, your glasses look very familiar…I’m currently wearing a pair that looks exactly the same. By any chance are the glasses made by “POLICE” ?
-Mike
Glasses were bought in Australia from an optometrist mate in Melbourne. Website for the company is http://www.inface.com …. model number for the glasses is if8227-358 5118
Looks like you had a terrific day. Love the Kimonos and the gorgeous dresses.
Beautiful photos
Thanks for sharing
“unfortunately got eliminated before the final 10, she went home with a photo with me though so not all was lost.”
LOL so much at this quote!
Hahaha, glad you liked it …. and took it for what it was!
Hey Dude,
Thats really COOL pics, the girls with white Underwear looks like a milky girls….. I really admire your pics and love to see those girls nude………………….