“SINFONIA” at Osaka Castle Main Tower Ran Until October 25: 160 Years of Japan–Italy Relations on a Keep Recommended as an Important Cultural Property

“SINFONIA,” screened in the Honmaru of Osaka Castle from Thursday, October 15, reached its final day on Sunday, October 25. As a commemorative project for the 160th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Italy, it projected onto the south face of the main tower a video of about six minutes spanning from the castle’s construction in the 16th century to the future after Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. It was screened several times between 19:00 and 22:00, and viewing was free with no registration required. It was planned by Dentsu Inc. and directed and produced by NAKED, INC. During the run, on Friday, October 16, the Council for Cultural Affairs recommended that the main tower be designated an Important Cultural Property.

The main tower used as the projection surface was recommended as an Important Cultural Property during the run

According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs, on October 16 the Council for Cultural Affairs recommended to the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology that eight structures be newly designated as Important Cultural Properties. Osaka Castle Main Tower is one of them and is presented as a highlight of this round of recommendations. Once designated, National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties (structures) will total 2,619 properties comprising 5,624 buildings.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes the main tower as a steel-framed reinforced concrete creation of the Toyotomi-period Osaka Castle keep, based on historical investigation and research. It was built with donations from citizens as an observation deck and museum in the early Showa era, the so-called “Greater Osaka” period, when Osaka was Japan’s largest city in population and area. According to the official website of Osaka Castle Main Tower, the current keep is the third, following those of the Toyotomi and Tokugawa periods, and was rebuilt in 1931 (Showa 6).

Three chapters in about six minutes, from the Tensho Embassy to the Expo’s Grand Ring

The video is built in three chapters. Chapter 1, “The Origin of the Story,” is set in the 16th century, when Osaka Castle was built and Japan and Italy first met. It traces the Tensho Embassy’s first audience with the Pope in 1585.

Chapter 2, “160 Years in Concert,” starts from 1866, when diplomatic relations were established. Scenes of both countries at the time overlap, and the appearance of the main tower also shifts from its form at that time to its present one. The walls are adorned with art, crafts and symbolic motifs of Japan and Italy.

In Chapter 3, “A Future Story Drawn by Bonds,” the main tower is adorned with motifs symbolizing the Grand Ring of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai and the Italy Pavilion. The perspective expands from Osaka to the Earth and space, ending with a depiction of the two countries’ future.

The title “SINFONIA” is the name of the musical form from which the symphony developed. The press release explains it as a form that grew within Italian opera and theater culture and has guided audiences into a single world while resonating with stage and architecture.

Screening times and viewing notes

The video of about six minutes was repeated several times between 19:00 and 22:00. The press release does not give the number of screenings per day or the start time of each. No seats were provided; viewing was free and standing only. Entry could be temporarily halted when crowded, and times, frequency and content could change or screenings be canceled due to weather or operational reasons.

As there are scenes where it goes dark, visitors were asked to follow staff directions and watch their step. During the screening period, viewing of the main tower and the operation of MIRAIZA OSAKA-JO and other facilities were not affected.

An executive committee of an embassy and companies

The organizing executive committee consists of four members: Dentsu Inc., The Asahi Shimbun Company, Bulgari Japan G.K. and the Embassy of Italy. Dentsu, which handled planning, is also one of the members. The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition and Osaka City provided support, and the Consulate General of Italy in Osaka cooperated. Bulgari Japan’s press release issued on October 15 lists Bulgari as a sponsor.

2026 marks 160 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations and 45 years since Osaka and Milan became sister cities. A commemorative project involving the embassy and consulate general, together with the supporting city and Expo association, was held as an outdoor screening that anyone could see for free.

Nights at cultural properties this autumn, in Kyoto and Miyagi too

NAKED, which handled the direction, is also responsible for planning, directing and producing the autumn night visits at Zuiganji (Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture), which run from Friday, October 30, to Monday, November 23 (national holiday) (see our Zuiganji article). In Kyoto, the autumn special night viewing at Kodai-ji began on Friday, October 23, with a new video shown in the garden in front of the abbot’s quarters (see our Kodai-ji article).

Winter light events in Osaka are introduced in our article on the Osaka Festival of the Lights 2026, and the care involved in projecting onto cultural property buildings in our explainer on light staging at cultural properties.

Overview

Name: “SINFONIA,” a project commemorating the 160th anniversary of Japan–Italy diplomatic relations
Dates: Thursday, October 15 – Sunday, October 25, 2026
Hours: Screened several times between 19:00 and 22:00 (about 6 minutes per screening)
Venue: Honmaru, Osaka Castle (1-1 Osakajo, Chuo-ku, Osaka)
Projection surface: South face of Osaka Castle Main Tower
Admission: Free (no advance registration; free viewing, standing only, no seats)
Organizer: Osaka Castle Project Executive Committee for the 160th Anniversary of Japan–Italy Diplomatic Relations (members: Embassy of Italy, Bulgari Japan G.K., Dentsu Inc., The Asahi Shimbun Company)
Support: Osaka City, Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition
Cooperation: Consulate General of Italy in Osaka
Planning: Dentsu Inc.
Direction and production: NAKED, INC.

*Information as of October 23, 2026. Please check the official website for the latest information.

*Top image: Footage from “SINFONIA” (from a press release by NAKED, INC.)

*This article was compiled by the TOKYO ART SPHERE editorial team based on materials released by NAKED, INC. and Bulgari Japan G.K. (both October 15, 2026), an announcement by the Agency for Cultural Affairs (October 16, 2026) and information on the official website (as of October 23, 2026).

Text: TOKYO ART SPHERE Editorial Team