[2026 Edition] What Is Projection Mapping? How It Works, Its History, Why It Is Projected onto Cultural Properties, and Major Events

Projection mapping is a form of expression in which a three-dimensional object such as a building is treated as a screen and video created to match its shape is projected onto it. In Japan, a large-scale show was held on the Marunouchi Building of Tokyo Station in 2012. Since February 2024, TOKYO Night & Light has been shown every day, except in stormy weather and similar conditions, on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1. This article explains how projection mapping works, its history and why it is projected onto castles, temples and shrines, and introduces tips for viewing and the major events that can be seen across Japan in autumn and winter 2026.

What is projection mapping?

The Digital Daijisen dictionary describes it as a technique of using a projector to project video onto the surfaces of three-dimensional objects such as uneven walls, buildings and furniture. Not using a dedicated screen like that of a movie theater is what distinguishes it from an ordinary screening. The encyclopedia Nihon Daihyakka Zensho (Nipponica) says the term also covers video works and performances that use this technique. It is used in a wide range of settings, including advertising, events and media art.

The key lies in the word “mapping.” Michiyuki Ishita of the Projection Mapping Association of Japan contributed an explanation of the technique to the academic journal Kogaku (Japanese Journal of Optics) in 2014. According to him, “mapping” means accurately positioning and overlaying CG and other imagery designed to fit the object at the time of projection. The technique is also known as video mapping or 3D mapping.

According to the same explanation, simply showing video on a building is merely projection. The simplest form of mapping is cutting out (masking) unnecessary parts to fit the outline.

How projection mapping works: from measurement to projection and sound

According to Nipponica, a strong visual effect arises from accurately measuring the solid or surface that serves as the screen and fitting the video to its shape. Press materials issued in 2021 by the Tokyo Institute of Technology and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) describe the same flow: first capture the shape of the object, then prepare video with deformations and shading that fit the shape, and then project it. The production process can be roughly divided into the following four stages.

• Measurement and modeling: The shape of the surface to be projected onto is turned into data. The paper “Shader Lamps,” published in 2001 by Ramesh Raskar and others, also assumes three-dimensional shape data of the real object, which it says is captured using computer vision techniques.

• Video production: Video is created to match the shape data. Nipponica says that adding light and shadow, music and sound effects can dramatically transform even the surrounding space.

• Projection and adjustment: Large buildings are covered with multiple projectors. In addition to keystone correction, “blending,” which naturally joins the seams between the images of multiple projectors, can now be done on the equipment side (according to the Kogaku explanation).

• Playback and control: Dedicated computers and software (media servers) are used to play back and control video, music and lighting. Participatory works that capture people’s movements with cameras and sensors and change the video accordingly have also appeared (ibid.).

One example of the scale involved is the permanent show at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. According to Panasonic Connect’s announcement in February 2024, 20 projectors of 50,000 lumens and 20 of 30,500 lumens, 40 in total, project onto a wall about 110 m wide and about 126 m high. The sound is spatial audio linked to the projectors, and dedicated earthquake-resistant, waterproof and dustproof housings were designed for long-term outdoor operation.

History and spread in Japan: from Tokyo Station to the permanent show at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

According to Nipponica, the technique flourished from around 2000 in stage design and contemporary art installations. Its spread was driven by the growing processing power of CG and by bright, high-resolution projectors becoming affordable. When large-scale events projecting onto large structures were held in Europe, the technique spread rapidly around the world.

The history of the term itself is surprisingly recent. The 2014 Kogaku explanation notes that the term had begun to stand out only in the preceding five years or so (ten years in Europe and North America). The idea itself, however, existed long before and had been tried by filmmakers, in stage design and in installations. The paper “Shader Lamps” cites the following three precedents.

• Michael Naimark’s work “Displacements”: A living room with furniture and people was filmed with a rotating camera; the room was then painted white and the footage projected back onto it. The paper refers to its 1984 exhibition at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

• The Haunted Mansion at Walt Disney World in the United States: Recorded video is projected onto four busts to make them appear as singing figures.

• Son et lumière (sound and light): Shows staged at historic buildings. They began at the Château de Chambord in France in 1952, illuminating the castle’s exterior and combining the light with sound.

The US newspaper The Christian Science Monitor (July 17, 2017) wrote about this form, which continues on summer nights in France, and noted that it has changed shape with the arrival of 3D projection mapping and other developments.

In Japan, the Projection Mapping Association of Japan was founded in 2011 (Nipponica). On Saturday, September 22 and Sunday, September 23, 2012, TOKYO STATION VISION was held on the Marunouchi Building of Tokyo Station.

It was organized by JR East to commemorate the completion of the preservation and restoration work on the station building, which is also a nationally designated Important Cultural Property, with planning and production by NHK Enterprises. According to the press materials, 46 ultra-high-brightness projectors projected about ten minutes of video onto the station building, 120 m wide and 30 m high. Companies in Japan that produce projection mapping and recent examples are organized in our article on production companies.

The regulatory framework has also developed. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government revised its Outdoor Advertising Ordinance, with the changes taking effect on July 1, 2020. It set standards for projection mapping displays in regulations and also created guidelines on such displays. There is also a system in which the governor designates “projection mapping utilization districts” based on applications from community development organizations and others, allowing displays under standards set for each district.

Then, in February 2024, TOKYO Night & Light began on the east wall of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1. According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the cumulative number of viewers reached 1.55 million as of August 2026. It has also been certified by Guinness World Records for the “largest projection mapping display on a building (permanent).” The works shown and the times are covered in detail in our complete guide to TOKYO Night & Light.

Why project onto architecture and cultural properties?

Projection mapping changes appearances with light, and when the show ends, the building returns to its original state. An article by Oguri of the Aichi Institute of Technology in the academic journal Shikisaigaku (Journal of the Color Science Association of Japan, 2024) discusses projection onto cultural properties. Using the features of a building’s exterior and its history as subject matter for the video can also enhance the tourism value of cultural properties, the article says.

At the same time, reconciling this with preservation requires ingenuity. The same article touches on projection inside traditional wooden buildings: with low ceilings, and given that they are cultural properties, it is difficult to fix projectors to ceilings or walls. Large-scale outdoor projections require dedicated towers and power supplies as well as preparations for wind, rain and security, which entail substantial costs, according to the article.

There is also the context of night-time tourism. Through the Projection Mapping Promotion Support Program, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau subsidize local efforts to liven up night-time tourism. The background to the increase in light shows around the country is explored in Why have night-time light shows on cultural properties increased?

Tips for viewing: photography rules, rain and crowds

For outdoor shows, each organizer posts precautions on its official website. We have summarized the points common to events in autumn and winter 2026.

• Photography: Many events ask visitors to refrain from using flash, drones and tripods for long shoots. Some ask visitors to refrain from continuous shooting or to use silent shooting functions when it is crowded.

• Rain: Many outdoor events go ahead in the rain, but say they may be suspended or canceled in stormy weather. If the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building show is canceled because of a typhoon or the like, this is announced on the official website and X.

• Crowds: It tends to be crowded right after the start, and some events recommend coming later. At events that repeat the same video, you can see the same video whatever time you come.

Major projection mapping events to see in autumn and winter 2026

Following the permanent show at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, we introduce major events held in Japan from October 2026 to February 2027 in order of opening. Light events nationwide, including illuminations, are listed in our roundup of projection mapping and light events across Japan. Events in Tokyo are introduced, with show times and prices laid out side by side, in our guide to projection mapping and light events in Tokyo.

TOKYO Night & Light (Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building)

Video is projected year-round onto the east wall of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1 and viewed from the Citizens’ Plaza. According to the annual schedule on the official website, from November to January the shows start with the 17:30 performance.

Venue: East wall of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1 (viewing from the Citizens’ Plaza)
Address: 2-8-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Shows: Daily except in stormy weather and similar conditions (check the official website for each show time)
Organizers: Tokyo Metropolitan Government; Tokyo Projection Mapping Executive Committee
Official website: https://tokyoprojectionmappingproject.jp/

NAKED meets Nijo-jo Castle 2026 (Kyoto)

A night art event at Nijo-jo Castle, a World Heritage Site, focusing on Tokugawa Masako, who entered the court as consort of Emperor Go-Mizunoo. Masako’s aesthetic sensibility, which brought kosode garments into the imperial court, is expressed through projection mapping on historic buildings and through light, sound and scent. A ticket separate from daytime admission is required at night.

Dates: Friday, October 23 – Saturday, December 5, 2026
Hours: 18:00–22:00 (last entry 21:00)
Venue: Nijo-jo Castle (Kyoto City)
Admission: Mondays to Thursdays 2,000 yen; Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 2,400 yen (early-bird prices of 1,600 yen and 2,000 yen respectively for purchases by Thursday, October 22)
Official website: https://nijo-jocastle.city.kyoto.lg.jp/event/matsuri2026-1/

YORUNOYO 2026 (Yokohama)

A winter light event staged in the waterfront area of central Yokohama. At Kujiland, which uses the entire rooftop of Osanbashi Pier, projection mapping shows a 25-meter whale of light swimming. According to the organizer, it is one of the largest participatory outdoor projection mapping events in Japan. A five-minute show in which 47 facilities are synchronized with light and music is also held every 30 minutes.

Dates: Friday, December 4 – Wednesday, December 30, 2026
Hours: 17:00–21:05
Venue: Yokohama Port Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal, Yamashita Park and other locations
Admission: Free
Organizer: THE YOKOHAMA ILLUMINATION / YORUNOYO Executive Committee
Official website: https://yorunoyo.yokohama/

*Information as of October 19, 2026. Please check the official websites for the latest information.

Frequently asked questions

Can projection mapping be seen for free?

Many events are free to view. Among those introduced in this article, TOKYO Night & Light at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is free with no advance registration, and YORUNOYO is also free. On the other hand, there are also paid events staged at castles, parks and temples, such as NAKED meets Nijo-jo Castle 2026.

How long is one show?

Many of the events introduced in this article repeat videos lasting from a few minutes to just over ten minutes. Each show of TOKYO Night & Light at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building lasts about 15 minutes. It is a good idea to allow time for one full cycle when choosing where to watch.

How does it differ from illuminations and light-ups?

According to the Digital Daijisen, an illumination means decorating with colorful electric lights, and a light-up means shining lights on buildings, bridges and the like at night to make them stand out. Projection mapping differs in that video fitted to the shape of a three-dimensional object is projected with projectors. Some events combine projection and light-ups.

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

How “City of Water: Edo Outer Moat” at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building ties in with the regeneration of the Edo Castle outer moat (the Sotobori Purification Project) is explained in our article on the work and the Sotobori Purification Project.

Terms such as lumens, throw ratio and edge blending are briefly explained in our projection mapping glossary.

*Top image: “City of Water: Edo Outer Moat” (from a press release by HITOHATA, INC.)

*This article was compiled by the TOKYO ART SPHERE editorial team based on official announcements by each organizer and facility (as of October 19, 2026).

Text: TOKYO ART SPHERE Editorial Team

A note from the publisher

*Disclosure: Among the events introduced in this article, HITOHATA, INC., an affiliate of HITOHATA ASSOCIATION, the general incorporated association that operates TOKYO ART SPHERE, is involved in the planning and production, among other roles, of the projection mapping at Senso-ji, Tsuruga-jo Castle, Gifu Akari Monogatari and Osaka City Central Public Hall, and of “City of Water: Edo Outer Moat” at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building shown in the top image (About us).

[Ended] ASAKUSA CULTURE & LIGHTS 2026 (Senso-ji, Tokyo)

Different videos of about six minutes each are projected alternately onto the south faces of Senso-ji’s Main Hall and Hozomon Gate. The theme is the temple’s 1,400 years of history and culture. According to the organizer, the first edition, held at the Hozomon Gate in 2025, drew more than 150,000 visitors. Details are in our article on the Senso-ji projection mapping, and Asakusa events such as the White Heron Dance on the final day are in our roundup of events in Asakusa in November.

Dates: Friday, October 30 – Tuesday, November 3 (national holiday), 2026
Hours: 18:00–21:30
Venue: Senso-ji Temple, Main Hall and Hozomon Gate
Address: 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Admission: Free; no advance registration required
Organizer: Asakusa Culture & Lights Executive Committee
Official website: https://www.asakusaculturelights.com/

Tsuruga-jo Castle Projection Mapping 2026 (Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima)

Animations based on traditional culture, landscape paintings of Aizu and digital art of cherry blossoms are projected onto the keep and stone walls of Tsuruga-jo Castle, with a sea-of-clouds effect added. According to Aizuwakamatsu City, about 20,000 people visited over three days the previous year.

Dates: Friday, November 20 – Sunday, November 22, 2026
Hours: 17:30–21:00
Venue: Tsuruga-jo Castle Park
Address: 1-1 Otemachi, Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima
Admission: Free; no advance registration required
Organizer: Tsuruga-jo Night Walk Executive Committee
Official website: https://www.city.aizuwakamatsu.fukushima.jp/docs/2026091400039/

Osaka City Central Public Hall projection mapping at OSAKA Hikari-Renaissance 2026 (Osaka)

One of the core programs of the Osaka Festival of the Lights 2026. Under the theme “Osaka, a Festive Night of Light,” windows of light sparkling like jewels, falling snow and stars, and Santa Claus racing across the night sky are depicted on the Central Public Hall.

Dates: Friday, December 11 – Friday, December 25, 2026
Hours: 17:30–21:30 (shows of about ten minutes planned every 12 minutes; last show from 21:20)
Venue: East facade of Osaka City Central Public Hall
Official website: https://www.hikari-kyoen.com/

Gifu Akari Monogatari 2027 (Gifu)

The event is staged at Gifu Park at the foot of Mt. Kinka, where Gifu Castle stands, and at Shohoji Temple, which houses the Gifu Great Buddha. Video inspired by cormorant fishing on the Nagara River, its clear stream and folding-screen paintings is projected onto the rock face of the garden at the site of Oda Nobunaga’s residence and elsewhere. Light-ups using the glow of Gifu wagasa umbrellas and Gifu lanterns, both nationally designated traditional crafts, are also held.

Dates: Saturday, January 30 – Sunday, February 28, 2027
Hours: 17:30–21:00 (last entry 20:30)
Venue: Gifu Park and Shohoji Temple (Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture)
Admission: Adults (18 and over): weekdays 1,200 yen (advance 1,100 yen), Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 1,400 yen (advance 1,300 yen). Junior high and high school students: weekdays 900 yen (advance 800 yen), Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 1,100 yen (advance 1,000 yen). Free for elementary school students and younger, and for persons with disabilities and one caregiver
Organizer: GIFU Night View Project Executive Committee
Official website: https://gifulightstory.com/

HITOHATA, INC., an affiliate of HITOHATA ASSOCIATION, the general incorporated association that operates TOKYO ART SPHERE, plans, directs, produces and operates projection mapping on National Treasures, Important Cultural Properties, World Heritage Sites and urban landmarks, as well as immersive exhibitions. Inquiries, including at the stage before a budget is set, are accepted through HITOHATA, INC.’s contact form (which has an inquiry category for local governments and public projects). Past projects are presented in HITOHATA, INC.’s project portfolio.