For Those Planning Projection Mapping and Light Events: A Guide to Our Articles on Costs, Process, Permits, Subsidies and Case Studies

Planning projection mapping or a light event involves a lot of research: the range of costs, the time needed to prepare, procedures such as outdoor advertising permits, considerations at cultural properties, available subsidies and the companies that handle production. TOKYO ART SPHERE has written practical articles on these topics based on local governments’ calls for proposals, national and Tokyo Metropolitan Government guidelines, and official announcements from manufacturers and organizers. This article arranges them in the order of the planning process and shows which article to consult for what.

There are three figures to grasp first. In seven local government calls for proposals for fiscal 2025–2026, the maximum contract amounts ranged from ¥9.5 million to ¥265 million. For the five projects whose shows took place in November–December, the time from the start of the call to the show was five to eight months. The subsidy from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau covers up to two-thirds of eligible expenses for new projects (up to ¥25 million). (All figures are from our article on the process and costs of staging projection mapping.)

The big picture: Basics and how it works

• What is projection mapping?: The basics and history of projecting onto buildings, and why castles, temples and shrines are used

• How projection mapping works: From 3D surveying to projection, blending and sound synchronization

• The history of projection mapping: From magic lanterns and phantasmagoria to theme parks and nights at cultural properties

• What is immersive art?: The basics for considering an indoor immersive exhibition

Planning and budget: Process, timeline and cost range

• How to stage projection mapping: Seven stages from planning to removal and evaluation, choosing a venue and a cost breakdown

• How much does a projection mapping project cost?: Maximum contract amounts, timelines and evaluation in seven local government calls for proposals

• 13 local government light events and projection mapping projects: Goals, budgets and attendance compared using calls for proposals and financial statements

• Attendance and economic impact of light events: Metrics for measuring impact and examples published by organizers and local governments

• Attendance at digital art facilities and immersive exhibitions: Official figures from facilities and touring exhibitions

• How to attract and host a touring immersive exhibition: Venue requirements, organizing structures and examples outside major cities

• What is the nighttime economy?: Definitions and policies of the national government, Tokyo and Kyoto, and examples of light and art in Japan

Permits and considerations: Outdoor advertising, light pollution and cultural properties

• Do you need a permit for projection mapping?: Outdoor advertising rules, Tokyo’s ordinance revision and the main procedures

• What are the Light Pollution Guidelines?: How they relate to illuminations and light displays, and local ordinances

• Projection mapping on cultural properties and the care it requires: Examples at castles, temples, shrines and government buildings, and national and Tokyo guidelines

• Why are illuminations and projection mapping at cultural properties on the rise?: Understanding the systems and background

• How to stage a drone show: Cost estimates, permits and approvals under the Civil Aeronautics Act, and local government contract examples

Funding: Subsidies and national budgets

• Subsidies for illuminations and projection mapping: 2026 calls and funded examples from the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the Japan Tourism Agency and Tokyo

• The Agency for Cultural Affairs’ budget request for fiscal 2027: Requests by the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Japan Tourism Agency for the coming year

Equipment and technology: Projectors, lighting and video

• How to install projectors: Front and rear projection, ceiling mounting, portrait orientation and laser safety distances

• Laser projector trends 2026: Higher brightness, automatic multi-projector alignment and outdoor projection

• Projectors and sound behind immersive exhibitions: Equipment and spatial design seen in manufacturers’ case studies

• What is illumination lighting design?: Methods and practitioners shaping nights at castles, bridges, temples, shrines and cities

• What is the digitization of cultural properties?: From high-resolution reproductions and 3D surveying to video exhibitions

Case studies and practitioners: Production companies, award winners and events around Japan

• Projection mapping and immersive exhibition production companies: Major companies in Japan and their track records

• Projection mapping contests and awards: Major competitions in Japan and abroad and recent winners

• Immersive exhibitions at art museums and museums: Examples and prices from 2025–2026

• Projection mapping and light events across Japan: Major events in 2026–2027

• Castle projection mapping and night events: Nationwide dates, organizers and producers for 2026–2027

• Upcoming drone shows in Japan: Dates and drone counts for 2026–2027

• Light festivals around the world 2026–2027: Lyon, Vivid Sydney, Amsterdam and more

Where to get advice: Public contact points and production practitioners

For projects in Tokyo, you can consult the Projection Mapping General Consultation Desk at the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau. For outdoor advertising permits, contact the relevant ward, city, town or village; for traffic impacts and event safety, contact the police station (see our article on the process of staging projection mapping). Companies that handle planning and production can be traced through the selection results of local government calls for proposals and event announcements.

Editor’s perspective

Arranging the articles in the order of the process makes it clear that producing the visuals is only one part of the preparation. From venue conditions and procedures to safety, funding and evaluating the impact, there is a great deal for the person in charge of planning to decide.

At the same time, much of the information needed for these decisions is public. Local governments’ calls for proposals set out the scope of work and maximum amounts, national and Tokyo guidelines set display standards, and subsidy guidelines specify eligible expenses. Getting the overall picture from public materials first and checking each venue’s conditions early is likely the quickest way to avoid having to redo plans.

Frequently asked questions

Where should I start?

The starting point is to decide on the purpose, target audience, dates and a rough budget, and to consult the owner or manager of the building you want to project onto as early as possible. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s manual notes that the time needed for permits varies by local government and recommends consulting early, from the planning stage.

How much does it cost?

Costs vary greatly with the size of the projection surface, the length of the event and the scope of work. In seven local government calls for proposals for fiscal 2025–2026, maximum contract amounts ranged from ¥9.5 million to ¥265 million. Costs break down into content production, equipment, facilities and installation, venue operation and security, and publicity and evaluation.

Can subsidies be used?

Night events at cultural properties have used funding such as the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ subsidy for projects utilizing cultural resources. New events in Tokyo may be eligible for a subsidy from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau covering up to two-thirds of eligible expenses (up to ¥25 million). Check requirements and timing in our article on subsidies.

*Information as of October 25, 2026. Information in each linked article is current as of the date stated in that article.

*Top image: Documentary photo of the projection mapping on the facade of Osaka City Central Public Hall at OSAKA Hikari no Renaissance 2025 in December 2025 (from HITOHATA, INC.’s press release)

*This article was compiled by the TOKYO ART SPHERE editorial team based on existing TOKYO ART SPHERE articles and the public materials referenced in each (as of October 25, 2026).

Text: TOKYO ART SPHERE Editorial Team

A note from the publisher

*Disclosure: HITOHATA, INC., an affiliate of HITOHATA ASSOCIATION, the general incorporated association that operates TOKYO ART SPHERE, plans and produces projection mapping and immersive exhibitions. The articles introduced here include cases in which the company is involved (About us).

HITOHATA, INC., an affiliate of HITOHATA ASSOCIATION, the general incorporated association that operates TOKYO ART SPHERE, plans, directs, produces and operates projection mapping at National Treasures, Important Cultural Properties, World Heritage Sites and urban landmarks, as well as immersive exhibitions. The company offers consultations for those at the stage of applying the processes, costs and procedures outlined in this article to a specific venue and budget. Inquiries, including those at the stage before a budget is set, are accepted through HITOHATA, INC.’s contact form (which has an option for local government and public projects). The company’s past work is introduced on HITOHATA, INC.’s project portfolio page.