[2026–2027] Castle Projection Mapping and Night Events: Nationwide Schedules for Nijo-jo, Fukuoka Castle Ruins, Himeji Castle, Matsumoto Castle and More

From autumn 2026 into winter 2027, night events using video and light continue at castles across Japan. At Nijo-jo Castle in Kyoto, “NAKED meets Nijo-jo 2026” began on Friday, October 23, and at the Fukuoka Castle ruins, “teamLab: Digitized Fukuoka Castle Ruins 2026-2027” opened on Friday, October 30, for the first time in seven years. On Friday, November 20, an illumination linking the area in front of Himeji Station to Himeji Castle with light begins. Matsumoto City invited contractors for projection mapping on the keep of the National Treasure Matsumoto Castle, with a lighting period of Saturday, December 12 to Sunday, February 14, 2027. Based on official announcements by organizers, production companies, local governments and facilities, this article sorts out the dates, times, admission, organizers and creators, and transportation and rain arrangements for nine events held at castles from late October to February 2027. From Friday, December 18, “Hiroshima Castle Winter Wander 2026” will also be held, with the first-ever projection mapping on the keep of Hiroshima Castle (announced November 2; introduced in “A note from the publisher” at the end of this article).

Night events at castles take various forms: projection mapping onto keeps and stone walls, interactive art exhibitions staged on stone walls and ruins, and light-ups and night openings of keeps. Some events are free to view, while those by teamLab and NAKED are ticketed at around ¥2,000 or more for adults. Some local governments position castles at night as tourism measures: Matsumoto City aims to attract visitors in the slow winter season, and Himeji City to “improve circulation throughout the town and extend length of stay.” Events including venues other than castles are covered in our roundup of projection mapping across Japan.

Schedule: Nine events from late October to February 2027

The nine events officially announced as of October 26 are listed in order of their start date (from north to south for the same date). The Matsumoto Castle dates are those planned in the city’s call for proposals, and only the dates have been announced for the Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival.

• Hikone Castle (Shiga Prefecture), “Autumn Colors at the National Treasure Hikone Castle: Special Night Opening”: Under way until Saturday, December 5, on Saturdays and designated days, 18:00–20:00

• Nijo-jo Castle (Kyoto Prefecture), “NAKED meets Nijo-jo 2026”: Under way until Saturday, December 5, 18:00–22:00

• Hirosaki Castle (Aomori Prefecture), “Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival”: Friday, October 30 – Sunday, November 8; projection mapping 17:30–19:30

• Fukuoka Castle ruins (Fukuoka Prefecture), “teamLab: Digitized Fukuoka Castle Ruins 2026-2027”: Friday, October 30 – Monday, January 11, 2027 (national holiday)

• Matsuyama Castle (Ehime Prefecture), “Ninomaru Garden of Light”: Ten days between Friday, November 13 and Sunday, December 6, 17:00–21:00

• Himeji Castle (Hyogo Prefecture), “HIMEJI Otemae-dori and Himeji Castle Illumination ‘Atarayo’”: Friday, November 20 – Monday, January 11, 2027 (national holiday), 17:00–22:00 (planned)

• Matsumoto Castle (Nagano Prefecture), projection mapping on the keep: Saturday, December 12, 2026 – Sunday, February 14, 2027, 18:00–22:00 (planned according to the city’s call for proposals)

• Hirosaki Castle (Aomori Prefecture), “51st Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival”: Wednesday, February 10 – Sunday, February 14, 2027

Under way and from October 30: Hikone Castle, Nijo-jo, Hirosaki Castle and the Fukuoka Castle ruins

Hikone Castle, “Autumn Colors at the National Treasure Hikone Castle: Special Night Opening”

At the National Treasure Hikone Castle (Hikone, Shiga Prefecture), “Autumn Colors at the National Treasure Hikone Castle: Special Night Opening,” which illuminates the keep and stone walls, has been under way since Saturday, September 19. It is held every Saturday during the period and on designated days; after October 26, the seven remaining days are Saturday, October 31, Saturdays November 7, 14 and 21, Sunday, November 22, Saturday, November 28 and Saturday, December 5. Hikone Castle tickets bought during the day cannot be used for night entry. The official website recommends applying online in advance, and same-day tickets are scheduled to go on sale at the window from 18:00.

Dates: Saturdays and designated days from Saturday, September 19 to Saturday, December 5, 2026
Hours: 18:00–20:00 (last entry 19:30)
Venue: National Treasure Hikone Castle (1-1 Konkicho, Hikone, Shiga Prefecture)
Admission: Adults (high school students and older) ¥1,000, elementary and junior high school students ¥300, free for preschool children
Inquiries: Hikone Castle Management Center (the official website does not name an organizer)
Official website: https://hikonecastle.com/night-viewing/

About a 15-minute walk from the west exit of Hikone Station on the JR Biwako Line. There is no dedicated parking, and the official website directs visitors to paid parking nearby. It is canceled in stormy weather. At the adjacent Genkyuen garden, the Hikone Tourist Association will hold the “Genkyuen Autumn Brocade Light-Up” from Saturday, November 14 to Sunday, November 29 (18:00–21:00, last entry 20:30; same-day tickets ¥900 for adults, ¥450 for children).

Nijo-jo Castle, “NAKED meets Nijo-jo 2026”

At Nijo-jo Castle in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, “NAKED meets Nijo-jo 2026,” planned, directed and produced by NAKED, INC., began on Friday, October 23. 2026 marks 400 years since the “Kan’ei Imperial Visit” of 1626, when Emperor Go-Mizunoo was welcomed to Nijo-jo, and the event is positioned as a related project of the “Kan’ei Imperial Visit 400th Anniversary Festival.” According to Kyoto City, it focuses on Tokugawa Masako, fifth daughter of Tokugawa Hidetada, who entered the court of Emperor Go-Mizunoo, expressing her aesthetic sensibility through projection mapping onto historic buildings and spatial productions of light, sound and scent. At the Karamon Gate, an Important Cultural Property, a light-up highlights the carvings along with lights in patterns of Kan’ei culture, and in front of the kitchen there is “Kosode no Aya,” in which patterns selected from kosode pattern books are projected onto white kosode that visitors wear. The night viewing route and areas differ from those in the daytime.

Dates: Friday, October 23 – Saturday, December 5, 2026; open every day during the event
Hours: 18:00–22:00 (last entry 21:00)
Venue: Nijo-jo Castle (Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto)
Admission: Monday to Thursday ¥2,000, Friday to Sunday and national holidays ¥2,400 (high school students and older). Free for preschool, elementary and junior high school children. Students and Kyoto City residents get ¥500 refunded at a special booth after entry
Organizer: NAKED meets Nijo-jo Production Committee (co-organizer: Kyoto City)
Planning, direction and production: NAKED, INC.
Official website: https://event.naked.works/nijojo/autumn/ja/

It goes ahead in rain but may be canceled in stormy weather. Entry may be restricted depending on crowds, and reception may close before 21:00 depending on the waiting line. Elementary school children cannot enter on their own. The nearest station is Nijojo-mae Station on the Tozai subway line. Details of the production are introduced in our article on NAKED meets Nijo-jo 2026.

[Ended] Hirosaki Castle, “Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival”

At Hirosaki Park in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, the “Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival” is held for ten days from Friday, October 30 to Sunday, November 8. The event began in 1962 as the “Chrysanthemum and Maple Festival,” and its main venue is the Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden. In the Free Plaza of the botanical garden, projection mapping is shown every day from 17:30 to 19:30 on the symbolic flower art piece “Golden Autumn White Tiger.” The fourth in the Four Gods series following the Blue Dragon, Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise, it is a collaboration between floral landscape artist Kie Abe and neputa frame builders, to which the weaving technique of the traditional craft of Tsugaru bamboo basketry has been added in 2026. The video and lighting are by local Hirosaki digital creator Kaoru Kasai.

Dates: Friday, October 30 – Sunday, November 8, 2026
Hours: Projection mapping 17:30–19:30. The Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden stays open until 20:00 during the festival (last entry 19:30). Special autumn-leaf light-up 16:00–21:00 (until mid-November)
Venue: Hirosaki Park (main venue: Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden), Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture
Admission: Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden: adults (high school students and older) ¥320, elementary and junior high school students ¥100 (groups of 10 or more: adults ¥250, elementary and junior high school students ¥80)
Organizer: Not stated in the press release (issued by Hirosaki City)
Official website: https://www.hirosaki-kanko.or.jp/edit.html?id=cat02_autumn_momiji

During the festival, the Dotemachi Loop Bus runs extended service every 30 minutes from 18:30 to 20:00. Users of the Konan Railway Owani Line and Konan Line can also use free parking lots at nine locations along the lines. Highlights of the festival are introduced in our article on the Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival.

Fukuoka Castle ruins, “teamLab: Digitized Fukuoka Castle Ruins 2026-2027”

At the Fukuoka Castle ruins in Maizuru Park, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, “teamLab: Digitized Fukuoka Castle Ruins 2026-2027” opened on Friday, October 30. teamLab calls it “the third outdoor night art exhibition, the first in seven years.” Works introduced on the official website include “Enso of Ancient Stone Walls,” in which the black of calligraphy drawn in light merges with the shadows of stone walls formed over a long time to keep drawing an enso circle, and “Stone Steps of Oblivion - Fukuoka Castle Ruins,” in which the light on the stone steps of the small keep platform glows brightly and sounds a tone as people approach. On weekends, holidays and from Tuesday, December 29 to Thursday, December 31, timed advance reservations are required; on weekdays, no time designation is needed.

Dates: Friday, October 30, 2026 – Monday, January 11, 2027 (national holiday)
Hours: 18:30–22:00 from Friday, October 30 to Friday, November 6 and from Friday, January 1 to Monday, January 11, 2027 (national holiday); 18:15–22:00 from Saturday, November 7 to Thursday, December 31 (last entry 21:30 in all cases)
Venue: Fukuoka Castle ruins, Maizuru Park (Jonai, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka)
Admission: Weekdays: adults ¥2,300, junior high and high school students ¥1,300, elementary school students ¥700. Weekends, holidays and Tuesday, December 29 – Thursday, December 31: adults ¥2,500, junior high and high school students ¥1,500, elementary school students ¥900. Free for preschool children. On-site purchases cost ¥200 more for adults and ¥100 more for junior high, high school and elementary school students
Organizer: teamLab: Digitized Fukuoka Castle Ruins 2026-2027 Executive Committee (The Nishinippon Shimbun and others; cooperation: Fukuoka City)
Works: teamLab
Official website: https://www.teamlab.art/jp/e/fukuoka-castle/

An 8-minute walk from Akasaka or Ohorikoen Station on the Fukuoka City Subway. It goes ahead in rain but may be canceled or suspended depending on conditions at the venue, and opening may be delayed or the event canceled or suspended when storm warnings, heavy rain warnings or thunderstorm advisories are in effect. On-site purchases are by credit card only, and if advance tickets sell out, no same-day tickets are sold. Details of the works are summarized in our article on the teamLab Fukuoka Castle Ruins Light Festival.

From November: Matsuyama Castle and Himeji Castle

Matsuyama Castle, “Ninomaru Garden of Light”

At the Matsuyama Castle Ninomaru Historical Garden in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, “Ninomaru Garden of Light” is held on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays from Friday, November 13 to Sunday, December 6, for a total of ten days. The official page gives no detailed description of the lighting. From Saturday, November 21 to Monday, November 23 (national holiday) and on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29, a matcha tea seating is offered at the Kankotei in the garden (17:30–20:00; ¥600 per seating; first 50 people each day).

Dates: Friday, November 13, Saturday 14, Sunday 15, Saturday 21, Sunday 22, Monday 23 (national holiday), Saturday 28 and Sunday 29, and Saturday, December 5 and Sunday 6, 2026
Hours: 17:00–21:00 (last entry 20:30)
Venue: Matsuyama Castle Ninomaru Historical Garden (5 Marunouchi, Matsuyama)
Admission: Adults ¥200, children ¥100
Operator: Respace Corporation, Matsuyama Castle General Office (designated manager of Matsuyama Joyama Park and facilities within the park)
Official website: https://www.matsuyamajo.jp/event/ninomaru/11-6.html

The dedicated parking lot has 31 spaces, with hours extended to 9:00–21:15 (last entry 20:30) on event days. When full, visitors are directed to paid parking such as the underground lot in front of Matsuyama City Hall, and public transportation is encouraged.

Himeji Castle, “HIMEJI Otemae-dori and Himeji Castle Illumination ‘Atarayo’”

In Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, “HIMEJI Otemae-dori and Himeji Castle Illumination ‘Atarayo,’” which links the area in front of Himeji Station along Otemae-dori, Himeyama Park around Himeji Castle and the castle’s Sannomaru Plaza with light, begins on Friday, November 20. In its fourth year in fiscal 2026, the event has expanded its area and increased the number of LEDs by 260,000 from the previous year’s 250,000 to about 510,000. Supervised by lighting designer Motoko Ishii, it creates a corridor of light about 2.5 km long. In harmony with the Himeji Castle “Saiun” light-up, there will be a sea-of-clouds light-up at Sakuramon Bridge and a lighting show in Himeyama Park.

At Sannomaru Plaza, the Himeji Convention & Visitors Bureau organizes the Himeji Castle light-up event “Atarayo no Yumekagami.” In addition to projecting video and light onto a water surface based on the water mirror used at past events, it offers the projection mapping “Hyakka Emaki” staged on the stone walls and the mirror-ball object “Tenkakyo,” among others. In 2025, the paid “DANDELION PROJECT Himeji Castle × NAKED, INC.” (¥1,000 for those 18 and over) was held at Sannomaru Plaza.

Dates: Friday, November 20, 2026 – Monday, January 11, 2027 (national holiday)
Hours: 17:00–22:00 (planned)
Venue: In front of Himeji Station, Otemae-dori, Himeyama Park (around Himeji Castle) and Himeji Castle Sannomaru Plaza (Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture)
Admission: Free
Organizers: Industry Promotion Division, Himeji City, for the Otemae-dori to Himeyama Park area; Himeji Convention & Visitors Bureau for the Himeji Castle Sannomaru Plaza area
Supervision: Motoko Ishii
Official website: https://himeji-illumination.jp/

A lighting ceremony will be held in front of the station on Friday, November 20. A “Saiun Lighting Show” in a pedestrian zone is also planned for Saturday, December 19 and Sunday, December 20.

From December to February 2027: Matsumoto Castle and the Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival

Projection mapping on the keep of Matsumoto Castle (2026–2027)

At the National Treasure Matsumoto Castle in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, projection mapping on the keep—the main attraction of the winter event “Matsumoto Katchin: Castle Town Festival of Light and Ice”—enters its fourth year. According to Matsumoto City’s announcement on May 22 inviting contractors, the lighting period is Saturday, December 12, 2026 to Sunday, February 14, 2027, with lighting from 18:00 to 22:00 at the Matsumoto Castle keep and within Matsumoto Castle Park, and a proposal ceiling of ¥36,000,000 (tax included). The official announcements our editorial team could confirm as of October 26 did not name the contractor, content of the production or admission.

The previous “National Treasure Matsumoto Castle Keep Projection Mapping 2025–2026” was held free of charge from December 13, 2025 to February 15, 2026, from 18:00 to 22:00. It was organized by the Castle Town Matsumoto Festa Organizing Committee. The first period, on the theme “A Castle Beyond Time: A Story of Light,” projected nishiki-e prints from the Matsumoto City Museum’s collection and other images onto the keep and stone walls. According to the city’s call for proposals, it drew about 130,000 visitors.

Lighting period (planned): Saturday, December 12, 2026 – Sunday, February 14, 2027
Lighting hours (planned): 18:00–22:00
Venue: Matsumoto Castle keep, within Matsumoto Castle Park (Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture)
Admission: Not announced as of October 26 (free in 2025–2026)
Organizer: Castle Town Matsumoto Festa Organizing Committee (secretariat: Tourism Brand Division, Matsumoto City)
Production: Not announced as of October 26
Announcement: Matsumoto City’s call for proposals

Hirosaki Castle, “51st Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival”

At Hirosaki Park (a nationally designated Historic Site, “Hirosaki Castle Ruins”), the “51st Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival” will be held for five days, from Wednesday, February 10 to Sunday, February 14, 2027. The official website of the Hirosaki Tourism and Convention Bureau has announced the dates, but times and the content of the productions had not been announced as of October 26. At the 50th edition in February 2026, images on the theme of “Hirosaki’s four seasons and festivals” were projected onto a large snow sculpture in the Yonnomaru about seven times a day, with a light-up from 16:30 to 21:00 (until 20:00 on the final day).

Dates: Wednesday, February 10 – Sunday, February 14, 2027
Venue: Hirosaki Park (Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture)
Times, admission and production: Not announced as of October 26
Official website: https://www.hirosaki-kanko.or.jp/edit.html?id=cat02_winter_yuki

Past event: Nagoya Castle’s “Be GOLD” ran until October 24

At Nagoya Castle, Nagoya City’s “Nagoya Castle Night Light-Up: Be GOLD” was held from September 19 to October 4 and October 18 to 24 and has already ended. In the castle keep and Honmaru area, it combined projection mapping that responded to movement with light-ups and full-color lasers. Planning and spatial direction were by Architainment Inc. and PixelEngine Inc., and planning, design and production by The Social Inc. and Kugut Inc. According to Nagoya Castle’s annual event schedule, opening hours will be extended for the “Nagoya Castle Cherry Blossom Festival” from late March to early April 2027, with cherry blossoms illuminated after sunset. Specific dates had not been announced as of October 26.

Why castles become screens: Common points in official materials

Lining up these events shows that the places where video and light are directed differ from event to event. Matsumoto Castle (2025–2026) projected images onto its keep and stone walls, and Nagoya Castle’s “Be GOLD” used projection mapping in the castle keep and Honmaru area. teamLab uses the stone walls of the Fukuoka Castle ruins and the stone steps of the small keep platform as stages for its works, Himeji Castle’s Sannomaru Plaza a water surface and stone walls, and the Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival overlays images on flower art made of flowers and bamboo. At Nijo-jo, patterns are projected onto white kosode that visitors wear.

Subjects for the imagery are drawn from local history, collections and crafts. The first period of Matsumoto Castle’s 2025–2026 edition used nishiki-e from the Matsumoto City Museum’s collection, and Nijo-jo takes up the Kan’ei Imperial Visit and Tokugawa Masako. Hirosaki incorporates Tsugaru bamboo basketry techniques into the flower art of its Four Gods series. Approaches to and examples of projection mapping staged at cultural properties are covered in detail in our explainer on projection mapping at cultural properties.

Before you go: Cold, crowds, parking and rain

Here are points to check before you go, compiled from each event’s official announcements.

• Cold: The official website of the teamLab Fukuoka Castle Ruins Light Festival asks visitors to prepare for the cold, as they may wait outdoors for a long time when it is crowded.

• Crowds and reservations: Nijo-jo may restrict entry or close reception before 21:00. The Fukuoka Castle ruins require timed reservations on weekends, holidays and Tuesday, December 29 – Thursday, December 31. Hikone Castle recommends applying online in advance.

• Parking: Hikone Castle has no dedicated parking. Hirosaki directs visitors to free parking along the Konan Railway.

• Rain: Nijo-jo and the Fukuoka Castle ruins go ahead in rain but may be suspended or canceled in stormy weather. Hikone Castle is canceled in stormy weather.

Editor’s perspective

Looking at the nine events by format, they divide broadly into projection-based events running about two months (Matsumoto Castle, free in 2025–2026) and ticketed interactive events (teamLab at the Fukuoka Castle ruins and NAKED at Nijo-jo). Added to these are a light-up and night opening of a keep (Hikone Castle), a free illumination linking the station to the castle (Himeji Castle) and projections as part of a festival (Hirosaki Castle). Because admission, reservation requirements and rain arrangements differ by event, how to plan a visit changes even among “castle night events.”

Creators and commissioning arrangements also vary. teamLab and NAKED create their own works. For Matsumoto Castle, an organizing committee made up of Matsumoto City and the city’s tourism, commerce and transportation organizations selects a contractor through a public proposal process. In Himeji, the city and a tourism organization divide the areas and organize them under the supervision of a lighting designer. In Hirosaki, a local digital creator handles video and lighting, and for Nagoya Castle’s “Be GOLD,” four companies were credited for planning and spatial direction and for planning, design and production. This season’s lineup, featuring productions staged not only on keeps but also on stone walls, plazas and gardens, offers material for comparison for those planning castle night events.

The timing of announcements also differs. Himeji City announced details on August 3. Matsumoto Castle indicated the lighting period at the call-for-proposals stage on May 22, but as of October 26 the creator and production content had not been officially announced. On the other hand, Matsumoto City’s call for proposals also shows the proposal ceiling (¥36,000,000) and past visitor numbers (about 130,000 in 2025–2026 and about 170,000 in 2024–2025), so it can be read as a primary source on the scale of the event.

Frequently asked questions

Are there castle projection mapping events that are free to see?

“HIMEJI Otemae-dori and Himeji Castle Illumination ‘Atarayo’” is free, and at Sannomaru Plaza it offers the projection mapping “Hyakka Emaki” staged on the stone walls. Admission for Matsumoto Castle’s 2026–2027 edition had not been announced as of October 26; the 2025–2026 edition was free.

Are events held on rainy days?

Nijo-jo and the Fukuoka Castle ruins both go ahead in rain, saying they may be suspended or canceled in stormy weather. Hikone Castle’s special night opening is canceled in stormy weather. Check each official website for the status on the day.

Will Matsumoto Castle’s projection mapping be held in 2026–2027?

On May 22, Matsumoto City announced that it would seek a contractor for the “Matsumoto Castle Projection Mapping 2026–2027 Project” through a public proposal process, setting the lighting period as Saturday, December 12, 2026 to Sunday, February 14, 2027, with lighting from 18:00 to 22:00. The creator, production content and admission had not been officially announced as of October 26.

Winter light events by region are summarized in our roundup of winter illuminations and snow lights in Tohoku and Hokkaido, our roundup of illuminations and light events in Hokuriku and Koshinetsu, our roundup of illuminations and light events in Chugoku and Shikoku and our roundup of illuminations and light events in Kyushu and Okinawa.

*Information as of October 26, 2026. Please check the official websites for the latest information.

For castle highlights, see our Tsuruga-jo Castle guide and Hiroshima Castle guide.

Projection mapping shows you can see over Christmas (December 24–25) are listed with dates, times and admission in our guide to projection mapping at Christmas 2026.

*Top image: “Blossoming Culture,” a production at the Karamon Gate, an Important Cultural Property, featured in the press release for “NAKED meets Nijo-jo 2026” (from a NAKED, INC. press release)

*This article was compiled by the TOKYO ART SPHERE editorial team based on official announcements and public materials from each event’s organizers, production companies, local governments and facilities (as of October 26, 2026).

Text: TOKYO ART SPHERE Editorial Team

A note from the publisher

*Disclosure: Of the events featured in this article, “Tsuruga-jo Castle Projection Mapping 2026” and “Hiroshima Castle Winter Wander 2026” are handled by HITOHATA, INC., an affiliate of HITOHATA ASSOCIATION, the general incorporated association that operates TOKYO ART SPHERE (production for Tsuruga-jo Castle and planning and production for Hiroshima Castle; About us). The previous “National Treasure Matsumoto Castle Keep Projection Mapping 2025–2026” was also produced by HITOHATA, INC. together with Epson Sales Japan Corporation and Seiko Epson Corporation. The creator of the 2026–2027 edition had not been announced as of October 26.

Tsuruga-jo Castle, “Tsuruga-jo Castle Projection Mapping 2026”

Held for three days, Friday, November 20 to Sunday, November 22, at Tsuruga-jo Castle Park in Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture. Images with motifs of Aizu lacquerware, Aizu painted candles and Aizu cotton are projected onto the keep and stone walls, with a sea-of-clouds effect. Viewing is free, and no advance registration is required. Details of the production are covered in our article on Tsuruga-jo Castle Projection Mapping 2026.

Dates: Friday, November 20 – Sunday, November 22, 2026
Hours: 17:30–21:00
Venue: Tsuruga-jo Castle Park (1-1 Otemachi, Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture)
Admission: Free, no advance registration required
Organizer: Tsuruga-jo Night Walk Executive Committee (co-organizers: Aizuwakamatsu City and the Tsuruga-jo Castle Visitor Promotion Project Executive Committee)
Official website: https://tsurugacastle.com/

Hiroshima Castle, “Hiroshima Castle Winter Wander 2026” (added November 7)

Held from Friday, December 18 to Monday, January 11, 2027 (national holiday) at Hiroshima Castle in Naka-ku, Hiroshima. According to Hiroshima City’s research (as of October 2026), this is the first projection mapping on the keep of Hiroshima Castle. Digital animations with motifs associated with “Carp Castle,” such as Hiroshima’s rivers, nishikigoi carp and koinobori carp streamers, and video of ukiyo-e prints depicting the World Heritage site Itsukushima Shrine are projected onto the keep, the Omote-gomon Gate and the stone walls, and the Gomon-bashi Bridge and the Honmaru are illuminated. The keep ended public access to its interior on March 22, 2026, because of its aging and other issues, and its exterior becomes the stage at night. Viewing is free, and no advance registration is required. For details, see our article on Hiroshima Castle Winter Wander 2026.

Dates: Friday, December 18, 2026 – Monday, January 11, 2027 (national holiday) (closed December 31 – January 3)
Hours: 17:30–21:00
Venue: Hiroshima Castle (21-1 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima)
Admission: Free, no advance registration required
Organizer: Hiroshima City (co-organizer: The Chugoku Shimbun)
Official website: https://hiroshimacastle.com

The latest information on events produced by HITOHATA, INC. is available at HITOHATA, INC.’s event information. Inquiries about planning projection mapping on cultural properties, government buildings and other urban buildings are accepted through the company’s contact form.