How Much Do Projection Mapping Projects Cost? Contract Caps, Periods and Judging in Seven Local Government Calls for Proposals

When local governments and executive committees outsource projection mapping or light-ups, some select contractors through a public proposal (project proposal) method, inviting and screening project proposals. From seven sets of call-for-proposal guidelines (fiscal 2025–2026) for Osaka City Central Public Hall, Midosuji, Matsumoto Castle, the Tagajo Ruins, Shimada City in Shizuoka Prefecture, Yatsushiro City in Kumamoto Prefecture and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, this article sets out, as stated in the sources, the contract caps, performance periods, main tasks, judging criteria and eligibility requirements. It also shows the common schedules and evaluation items, along with how many cases share them.

Why read calls for proposals? Nighttime tourism policy and outsourced projects

Budgets for light staging are drawn up as measures to grow nighttime tourism. The Basic Plan for the Promotion of a Tourism-Oriented Country (5th edition), approved by the Cabinet on March 27, 2026, lists “promoting early-morning and nighttime experiences at cultural properties and the like” as one of its “measures against excessive congestion.” The Tokyo Metropolitan Government positions its grants for light-ups and the like as initiatives based on Strategy 14, “Promotion of Nighttime Tourism,” of the “2050 Tokyo Strategy.”

The aims are also written in the “purpose” sections of the guidelines. The Tagajo Ruins project in Miyagi Prefecture aims to improve circulation along the main Sendai–Matsushima tourist route and encourage a shift from day trips to overnight stays. Yatsushiro’s project seeks to promote nighttime travel around the city and longer-stay tourism. The Osaka City Central Public Hall project aims to attract a broad range of visitors, promote tourism and enhance Osaka’s urban brand.

Guidelines spell out budget ceilings, periods and exactly what will be evaluated and how. They are primary sources for understanding what clients want from light events, and for businesses seeking contracts, they are the very conditions for applying. Subsidy programs that serve as funding sources are covered in our article on subsidies for light-ups and projection mapping, and events around the country in our roundup of projection mapping and light events across Japan.

Seven calls for proposals: Caps, periods, tasks, judging and eligibility

The following is based on each client’s guidelines, specifications and selection results. Caps are as written in the guidelines, and all seven include consumption tax. The two fiscal 2025 cases are described according to that year’s guidelines.

Projection mapping at Osaka City Central Public Hall (fiscal 2026)

Project: OSAKA Hikari-Renaissance 2026 Osaka City Central Public Hall Projection Mapping Production and Related Services
Client: Osaka Festival of the Lights Executive Committee (members: Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau, business organizations, etc.). The call was posted by the Tourism Department of the City of Osaka’s Economic Strategy Bureau
Fiscal year: Fiscal 2026 (Reiwa 8)
Contract cap: ¥18,700,000 (including consumption tax and local consumption tax)
Performance and event period: From the contract date to February 28, 2027. The event runs for 15 days, December 11–25, 2026, from 17:00 to 22:00
Main tasks: Production, projection, installation and removal of projection mapping on the east wall of Osaka City Central Public Hall and elsewhere
Judging criteria: Production content 65 points (work concept, theme and message 25 points; originality, expressiveness and impact 30 points; visitor attraction 10 points), implementation plan and structure 20 points, feasibility 15 points, for a total of 100 points. Judged by an expert panel; a proposal may not be selected if, for example, its score falls below 60%. Presentations of about 35 minutes per applicant (about 20 minutes of explanation and 15 minutes of Q&A)
Main eligibility requirements: A track record of similar projects within the past three years, an office or branch in Osaka Prefecture, an information security policy and information management system, and others
Schedule: Distribution of specifications and other documents began on April 17, 2026, with a proposal deadline of May 26
Selection result: Three applicants submitted proposals, and the best proposer (contract candidate) was selected on June 12, 2026

Midosuji Illumination (fiscal 2026)

Project: Midosuji Illumination 2026 Services
Client: Osaka Festival of the Lights Executive Committee. The call was posted by the Urban Attractiveness Creation Bureau of the Osaka Prefectural Government’s Department of Citizens’ Culture
Fiscal year: Fiscal 2026
Contract cap: ¥246,220,000 (including consumption tax and local consumption tax)
Performance and event period: Late June 2026 – February 27, 2027 (about 240 days). Lighting runs for 59 days, November 3 – December 31, 2026 (planned), from about 17:00 to 25:00
Main tasks: Design and other proposals; basic design, demonstration testing and detailed design; quality control during the lighting period (excluding security); purchase of LED strings; and installation and removal work. The installation and removal work is contracted separately around early September 2026, after detailed design is completed
Judging criteria: Design, staging and program 110 points; schedule, quality and safety assurance 30 points; price 10 points, for a total of 150 points. Proposals scoring below 90 points (60%) are not selected
Main eligibility requirements: Two or more outdoor illumination installation projects in the past 10 years; the party responsible for electrical work must hold a special construction business license under the Construction Business Act and an Osaka Prefecture rating of “Grade B or above”; the illumination design lead must have experience and a track record in design work over the past five years; and others
Schedule: The call opened on April 27, 2026, with a proposal deadline of June 3
Selection result: Two applicants submitted proposals, and the Midosuji Luminous Joint Venture became the best proposer

Projection mapping at Matsumoto Castle (fiscal 2026)

On May 22, 2026, the Matsumoto City Tourism Brand Division announced the call for proposals via PR TIMES. According to the announcement, the 2025–2026 edition projected onto the Matsumoto Castle keep, the Kuromon Gate and the Uzumibashi Bridge, drawing about 130,000 visitors.

Project: Matsumoto Castle Projection Mapping 2026–2027 Services
Client: Castle Town Matsumoto Festa Organizing Committee (secretariat: Matsumoto City Tourism Brand Division)
Fiscal year: Call issued in May 2026 (held in winter 2026–2027)
Contract cap: ¥36,000,000 (including consumption tax and local consumption tax)
Performance and event period: From the contract date to Friday, March 19, 2027. Lighting runs from Saturday, December 12, 2026, to Sunday, February 14, 2027, from 18:00 to 22:00
Main tasks: Production of projection mapping content (staging plans, video production, etc.), light staging within Matsumoto Castle Park, design and installation of garden lighting and the like, management and operation, removal work and related programs
Judging criteria and eligibility: Not stated in the announcement; to be provided on the call-for-proposals page of the Matsumoto City website
Schedule: Statements of intent to participate accepted May 22 – June 11, 2026

Light-up of the Tagajo Ruins (Miyagi Prefecture, fiscal 2026)

Project: Nighttime Economy Promotion Services Using the Tagajo Ruins
Client: Miyagi Prefecture (Tourism Strategy Division)
Fiscal year: Fiscal 2026
Contract cap: ¥58,300,000 (including consumption tax and local consumption tax)
Performance and event period: From the contract date to February 26, 2027. The light-up runs for nine consecutive days in November 2026, with food and drink booths every weekend during the period
Main tasks: Light-up of the Tagajo Ruins, food and drink booths, preparation of implementation plan drawings, visitor safety measures, promotion, filming of event footage, inviting travel agencies and creating and proposing travel products, and evaluating the event’s effects
Judging criteria: Direction and overall plan 10 points; light-up, food and drink booths, etc. 15 points; filming of footage 10 points; promotion 15 points; inviting travel agencies and creating and proposing travel products 20 points; safety measures for parking and routes and guide signs 10 points; original proposals 10 points; implementation structure and efficiency 10 points, for a total of 100 points. At least 60% of the maximum is required. Presentations of up to 20 minutes (15 minutes of explanation, 5 minutes of Q&A)
Main eligibility requirements: A corporation with an office in Miyagi Prefecture, the ability to carry out the work smoothly, such as a track record of tourism-related work commissioned by the national or local governments, no tax delinquencies, and others
Schedule: The call opened on June 18, 2026, with a proposal deadline of noon on July 21
Selection result: ICHICO Inc. was selected as the contract candidate

Station-front illuminations in Shimada City (fiscal 2026)

Project: Outsourced Planning and Operation of Illuminations and Other Features for the Project to Create Bustle in Front of JR Stations
Client: Shimada City (Commerce and Industry Division, Industry and Economy Department)
Fiscal year: Fiscal 2026 (a project listed in the Shizuoka Central Metropolitan Area Vision)
Contract cap: ¥9,500,000 (including consumption tax and local consumption tax)
Performance and event period: Planning and preparation from the contract date to October 30, 2026; installation October 30 – November 19; lighting November 20, 2026 – January 31, 2027; removal February 1–5, 2027
Main tasks: Staging and promoting events to create bustle by installing illuminations, objects, projection mapping and the like near major stations along the JR line
Judging criteria: Overall project plan 30 points, implementation structure 20 points, content of the proposed project 40 points, PR methods 20 points, work schedule 5 points and estimated cost 5 points, for a total of 120 points. The minimum standard is 50% of the maximum
Main eligibility requirements: Qualification to participate in Shimada City’s bidding (those who have not applied must obtain it before the proposal deadline), not being a religious or political organization, no unpaid national or local taxes, and others
Schedule: Announced on June 30, 2026, with a proposal deadline of July 27

Projection mapping in front of Yatsushiro Station (Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture, fiscal 2025)

Based on the fiscal 2025 guidelines and specifications, this project projects images onto a wall of Nippon Paper Industries’ Yatsushiro Mill, with the area in front of Yatsushiro Station as its base.

Project: Projection Mapping Services in Front of Yatsushiro Station
Client: Yatsushiro City (Tourism Promotion Division, Economy, Culture and Exchange Department)
Fiscal year: Fiscal 2025 (Reiwa 7)
Contract cap: ¥23,666,000 (including consumption tax and local consumption tax and the cost of building the projection room and the like)
Performance and event period: From the contract date to March 31, 2026. Test projections were held November 17–22, 2025, projecting footage announcing the Yatsushiro Myoken Festival
Main tasks: Projection onto the south wall of the No. 9 boiler at Nippon Paper Industries’ Yatsushiro Mill (the projected area must never exceed one-third of the wall area); production of three videos (on the Yatsushiro Myoken Festival, the Yatsushiro National Fireworks Competition, and a year-round promotion of Yatsushiro City); provision of equipment and a projection room (the projection room costs ¥5,775,000 including tax); a system allowing the city to set the projected videos and times; and operation and maintenance
Judging criteria: The first stage is a document review by the secretariat; the second is a presentation (20 minutes) and Q&A (10 minutes) before a selection committee. The minimum standard is 60% of the total score. Proposals must cover the implementation policy, structure, schedule, operating costs and plans for use in subsequent years
Main eligibility requirements: Not falling under the grounds for exclusion in the Order for Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Act, not being under suspension of designation, not falling under the ordinance on the exclusion of organized crime groups, and others
Schedule: The call opened on September 19, 2025, with a proposal deadline of October 10
Selection result: Five applicants submitted proposals, and Ranhansha Co., Ltd. became the contract candidate (announced October 22, 2025)

Projection Mapping International Award TOKYO (Tokyo Metropolitan Government, fiscal 2025)

Project: Outsourced Implementation of the Projection Mapping International Award TOKYO
Client: Projection Mapping International Award TOKYO Executive Committee (secretariat: Promotion Section, Tourism Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs)
Fiscal year: Call issued in 2025 (opened June 12, 2025)
Contract cap: Up to ¥265,000 thousand (including tax)
Performance and event period: Not stated in the main text of the guidelines; per the specifications. The contract price is paid in a lump sum after completion
Main tasks: Staging a festival of light centered on projection mapping in Tokyo and promoting the appeal of Tokyo at night in Japan and abroad. Its stated aims also include broadening and establishing projection mapping initiatives by private businesses and others
Judging criteria: Theme and call method as an international competition, program structure, motivation to visit the Nishi-Shinjuku area and circulation, coordination with local organizations and concurrent events, KPI setting and publicity plans for domestic and international media (15 points), sponsorship plans, operating structure, and the reasonableness of the proposed price and cost breakdown (5 points), among others. Each judge’s total score must be at least half the maximum
Main eligibility requirements: An “A” rating in “event-related services” or “advertising agency” in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s competitive bidding qualifications (equivalent company size or a track record of operating similar events also accepted), not being under suspension of designation, and others
Schedule: The call opened on June 12, 2025, with a deadline for proposals and other documents of noon on July 17

Common point 1: Schedules and contract periods, from call to show

Among the six cases whose dates could be confirmed, the period from the start of the call to the proposal deadline ranged from 21 to 39 days: in descending order, Osaka City 39 days, Osaka Prefecture 37 days, Tokyo 35 days, Miyagi Prefecture 33 days, Shimada City 27 days and Yatsushiro City 21 days. Question periods and participation applications fall in between, with judging after the deadline.

The relationship with the timing of the show also becomes clear. The five cases in which lighting or projection begins in November or December (Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Matsumoto, Miyagi and Shimada) all opened their calls between April and June. From the month the call opened to the month of the show was five to eight months. Yatsushiro issued its call in September and held test projections in November.

The five cases that stated the end of the contract or performance period (Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Matsumoto, Miyagi and Yatsushiro) all set deadlines between late February and the end of March. Shimada also set removal to be completed by February 5, 2027. The periods are set so that the work, including removal after the event, is completed by the end of the fiscal year.

Common point 2: Submissions, evaluation items and eligibility

All six cases whose guidelines could be confirmed require, in addition to a project proposal, documents showing costs, such as estimates, cost breakdowns or income and expenditure plans. As for proposal length, Miyagi Prefecture sets a limit of 20 pages excluding the cover and contents, Yatsushiro City 30 pages and Shimada City roughly 20 sheets. Four cases (Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Shimada City and Tokyo) ask applicants not to write their names on the copies used for judging.

The weight of evaluation lies in the substance of the staging and planning. Osaka City allocates 65 of 100 points to production content, 30 of them to originality, expressiveness and impact. For Osaka Prefecture, 110 of 150 points go to design, staging and program. Miyagi Prefecture allocates 20 points to creating and proposing travel products and 15 to promotion, placing heavy weight on plans to attract visitors and sell products.

Price could be confirmed as a scored item in three cases: Osaka Prefecture (10 of 150 points), Shimada City (5 of 120 points) and Tokyo (5 points). The scoring tables for Osaka City and Miyagi Prefecture have no price item. The scoring table for Yatsushiro City could not be confirmed, but its guidelines say the estimated price is also a factor in selection. Minimum standards were set at 60% of the maximum by four cases (Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Miyagi Prefecture and Yatsushiro City), 50% by Shimada City and one-half by Tokyo.

In the three cases that specified presentation times (Osaka City, Miyagi Prefecture and Yatsushiro City), explanations ran 15 to 20 minutes and Q&A 5 to 15 minutes. On eligibility, Osaka City requires an office or branch in Osaka Prefecture and Miyagi Prefecture an office in the prefecture, while Shimada City requires qualification for the city’s bidding. On track records, Osaka City requires similar projects within the past three years, and Osaka Prefecture two or more outdoor illumination installations in the past 10 years.

Editor’s perspective

The caps of the seven cases range widely, from Shimada City’s ¥9,500,000 to Tokyo’s ¥265,000 thousand. Creating winter bustle in front of a station, 15 days of projection onto one wall, the Midosuji illumination and a festival of light that includes an international competition differ in the very scope of the work. It is reasonable to read the caps as figures indicating the scale and scope of each project.

In Osaka City’s selection results, the three proposals ranged from ¥18,694,500 to ¥18,700,000, all at or near the cap. In a design whose scoring table has no price item, this suggests that the cap functions as a guide to the scale of proposals.

Judging items include motivation to visit, circulation, the creation of travel products and evaluation of effects. Beyond the quality of the images and light, the mechanisms that get people moving around the city at night and lead to longer stays and overnight visits are also being evaluated. Considerations when using cultural properties as a stage are set out in our article on projection mapping on cultural properties and the care it requires, and display rules in our article on projection mapping and outdoor advertising rules.

Frequently asked questions

Where can information on calls for proposals be found?

For the seven cases in this article, guidelines were posted on the websites of Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Miyagi Prefecture, Shimada City, Yatsushiro City and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs, and Matsumoto City also announced its call via PR TIMES. Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Miyagi Prefecture and Yatsushiro City also publish selection results on their websites. The companies selected, and those that plan and produce events around the country, are covered in our article on production companies.

Can several companies team up to apply?

It varies by case. Osaka City allows joint ventures of two or more businesses, and Osaka Prefecture allows groups formed by multiple corporations. Miyagi Prefecture allows joint proposals by one representative and subcontractors, and Shimada City and Yatsushiro City set conditions for applying as a joint venture.

Articles organized by each stage of planning are gathered in our guide for those planning projection mapping and light events.

Visitor numbers and financial results, the outcomes that follow such calls, are set out in our comparison of 13 local government light events.

*Information as of October 21, 2026. Please check the official websites for the latest information.

Please confirm specific procedures and requirements with the office in charge of each program or ordinance.

The system that lets local governments procure from certified businesses through negotiated contracts without bidding is explained in our article on policy-purpose negotiated contracts.

*Top image: Projection mapping at Matsumoto Castle (2025–26) (from the Matsumoto City Tourism Brand Division’s press release)

*This article was compiled by the TOKYO ART SPHERE editorial team based on official announcements and public materials from each institution and organizer (as of October 21, 2026).

Text: TOKYO ART SPHERE Editorial Team

A note from the publisher

*Disclosure: Among the calls for proposals covered in this article, HITOHATA, INC., an affiliate of HITOHATA ASSOCIATION, the general incorporated association that operates TOKYO ART SPHERE, was selected as the best proposer (contract candidate) for the Osaka City Central Public Hall project (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.