Hamamatsu, Japan ― Yamaha Corporation earned its first Gold Award at the Pentawards 2025 for its packaging boxes for entry-level wind instruments, in the “Re-branding projects: Iconic Brands” category under Brand Identity & Connected Packaging.

The Pentawards, founded in Belgium in 2007, is the world’s most prestigious packaging design competition. Over the past 19 years, they have received a cumulative total of more than 36,000 applications from over 95 countries around the world.

Yamaha Corporation participated in the Pentawards for the first time this year. The packaging boxes were also selected as one of the 12 finalists for the Pentawards’ People’s Choice Award, which recognizes outstanding works chosen through public voting.

“We are very honored to have earned the Gold Award at Pentawards 2025, as it reflects recognition of the design expertise we have cultivated over the years, as well as our commitment to sustainability, including efforts to reduce environmental impact,” said Jin Sakamoto, senior general manager of Yamaha B&O Division. “This award will serve as inspiration for Yamaha to further pursue the creation of products and designs that bring both passion and value to our customers.”

“It is a great honor for Yamaha to receive its first award at the Pentawards, an international competition dedicated to product packaging design,” said Manabu Kawada, senior general manager of Design Laboratory. “We will continue taking on the challenge of creating attractive designs, even as social values and approaches to packaging continue to evolve.”

The packaging design of its five entry-level wind instruments (primarily for beginners) received the Gold Award at Pentawards 2025. The target models are as follows.

YTR-2330 (Trumpet), YFL-212 (Flute), YCL-255 (Clarinet), YAS-280 (Alto saxophone), YTS-280 (Tenor saxophone)

* Packaging designs may differ depending on the region or model, and alternative designs may be used in some cases.

These packaging boxes were redesigned and renewed in 2025, in the first such update in 16 years. Yamaha Corporation, building on its efforts toward sustainability and reducing environmental impact, redesigned the packaging not merely as a container, but as an important tool for conveying the product’s value and appeal to customers, with a design that is both sophisticated and easily recognizable.

The four outer panels feature a softly blurred depiction of the instrument, as though it were enclosed in a translucent acrylic case, heightening the anticipation before the box is opened, and the excitement of when the instrument is held for the first time. This also fosters a lasting attachment to the instrument and encourages long-term care and use, thus contributing to sustainability.

Switched from full-color offset printing to flexographic printing using water-based ink

Reduced emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and wastewater by switching to water-based ink

Printed area reduced to approximately a tenth of the previous design (Reduced ink usage)

Printing time reduced to approximately two-thirds of the previous design (Reduced power consumption)

Usage rate of recycled paper increased from 85% to 100% by switching to design that makes use of the natural color of recycled paper

Pentawards 2025 Official Website

Yamaha Design Official Webiste

Yamaha B&O Special Content “Building a More Sustainable Yamaha”