#Cultural Heritage × Digital

[Autumn/Winter 2026] Aizuwakamatsu Art Guide: Tsuruga-jo Castle Projection Mapping, Sazaedo, Oyakuen Garden and the Fukushima Museum

For three nights from November 20, “Tsuruga-jo Castle Projection Mapping 2026” lights up the keep and stone walls with imagery inspired by Aizu crafts. This guide covers the castle keep, the Fukushima Museum, Oyakuen Garden and the double-spiral Sazaedo to visit by day, with admission, hours and the last loop bus.

What Are Policy-Purpose Negotiated Contracts? How Japanese Local Governments Can Contract Startups Without Bidding, with a Projection Mapping Example

Japan’s Enforcement Order of the Local Autonomy Act lets local governments procure new products and services without bidding from businesses they certify. Tokyo builds this into its startup programs as “policy-purpose negotiated contracts.” We explain the system, its 191 contracts nationwide in MIC’s survey, and a projection mapping example.

Projection Mapping to See at Christmas 2026 in Japan: Dates and Times for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Osaka City Central Public Hall, Yorunoyo, Hiroshima Castle and Matsumoto Castle

A guide to the projection mapping shows you can see in Japan over Christmas 2026 (December 24–25), with dates, times and admission: Santa Claus at Osaka City Central Public Hall, the daily TOKYO Night & Light at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Yorunoyo in Yokohama, the first-ever projection on Hiroshima Castle’s keep, and Matsumoto Castle.

What Is HITOHATA, INC.? Company Profile, Works and Awards of the Studio Behind the Ukiyoe Immersive Art Exhibition and Castle Projection Mapping

HITOHATA, INC. produces the Ukiyoe Immersive Art Exhibition, “City of Water: Edo Outer Moat” at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, and projection mapping at Tsurugajo and Hiroshima Castle. Based on the company’s official website, we sum up the profile, business, major works, awards and 2026–2027 schedule of this digital creative company founded in Nagoya in 2019.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Projection Mapping “City of Water: Edo Outer Moat”: The Sotobori Purification Project and Its Mid-2030s Water Plan

Since November 2025, TOKYO Night & Light has screened “City of Water: Edo Outer Moat” on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building on weekends and holidays. Based on announcements by Tokyo and HITOHATA, INC., we explain the show, the projection mapping held on the Edo Castle outer moat in 2024 and 2025, and Tokyo’s implementation plan to start bringing water to the moat in the mid-2030s.

Tsuruga-jo Castle (Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle) Guide 2026: Japan's Only Red-Tiled Keep, Admission, Opening Hours, the Rinkaku Tea House and November Projection Mapping

Tsuruga-jo Castle in Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima, has Japan's only keep roofed in red tiles. Admission to the keep museum is ¥410 for adults, and it is open 8:30–17:00 every day. This guide covers its history, floor-by-floor exhibits, the Rinkaku tea house, access and the free projection mapping on November 20–22, based on official information.

“Osaka City Central Public Hall Projection Mapping” from December 11; Snow, Stars and Santa Claus on an Important Cultural Property, Free to Watch

As the centerpiece of OSAKA Hikari-Renaissance 2026 in Nakanoshima, Osaka, images will be projected onto the east facade of Osaka City Central Public Hall, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property. The event runs for 15 days, from Friday, December 11 to Friday, December 25, with screenings from 17:30 to 21:30. Viewing is free and no reservation is required. Here is a guide to the highlights, screening times, other events in Nakanoshima during the same period, and access.

“Hiroshima Castle Winter Wander 2026” from December 18; First-Ever Projection Mapping on the Keep, Free to View

A nighttime event projecting images onto the keep, the Omote-gomon Gate and the stone walls of Hiroshima Castle will be held from December 18 to January 11, 2027. According to Hiroshima City, it is the first projection mapping on the keep; admission is free and no advance application is required.

[November 2026] Asakusa Events and Festivals: Light Event at Senso-ji, White Heron Dance, Tori-no-Ichi and Hagoita-Ichi

The light event projecting video onto Senso-ji’s Main Hall and Hozomon Gate runs until November 3. On the final day the White Heron Dance is performed, followed by Tori-no-Ichi at Otori Shrine on the 7th and 19th and the Hagoita-Ichi battledore fair at Senso-ji on December 17–19. We put together dates, times and how to get around.

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

From late October 2026 to February 2027, night events using video and light continue at castles across Japan, including Nijo-jo, the Fukuoka Castle ruins, Tsuruga-jo Castle, Hiroshima Castle, Himeji Castle and Matsumoto Castle. Based on official announcements, we sorted out the dates, times, admission, organizers, and arrangements for rain and parking.

Senso-ji Projection Wins an Excellence Award at the Projection Mapping Tokyo Award and MUSE Gold; 2026 Edition from October 30

A projection onto Senso-ji Temple’s Hozomon Gate, Five-Story Pagoda and Nitenmon Gate in December 2025 received an Excellence Award at the Projection Mapping Tokyo Award and Gold at the MUSE Creative Awards 2026.

[2026] Projection Mapping and Immersive Exhibition Production Companies in Japan: Key Firms and Their Work

From projections on castles, temples, shrines and government buildings to touring exhibitions, permanent venues and shipboard theaters, we sort out the planning and production companies behind events officially announced in Japan in 2025–2026, along with budgets in public calls for proposals and permit procedures.

What Is the Nighttime Economy? Definitions and Policies of the National Government, Tokyo and Kyoto, with Light and Art Examples in Japan

Definitions of night differ: the Japan Tourism Agency uses 18:00 to 6:00 the next morning, while the Tokyo Metropolitan Government uses around sunset to around sunrise. The national government’s new plan treats nighttime cultural-property experiences as a way to disperse demand. We sort out examples from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building to Kyoto, Yokohama and Osaka.

[Autumn 2026] Autumn-Leaf Illuminations and Special Evening Openings in Tokyo and the Kanto Region: Rikugien, Koishikawa Korakuen, Sankeien and More

This year, Rikugien and Koishikawa Korakuen bring projection mapping onto a storehouse and earthen walls. We list 10 events, including Hama-rikyu, Showa Kinen Park, Sankeien and temples in Kamakura, in order of their start dates and in the same format.

Immersive Exhibitions at Art Museums and Museums: 2025–2026 Examples and Admission at the Tokyo National Museum, Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art and More

Museums that place a video space in one room of a special exhibition, museums that open separately ticketed theaters, and touring exhibitions organized by broadcasters and newspapers: we sort out examples from 2025–2026 in a consistent format covering venue, admission, organizers and production.

Agency for Cultural Affairs Requests ¥233.5 Billion for Fiscal 2027; Japan Tourism Agency Seeks ¥180 Billion Funded by the International Tourist Tax

The Agency for Cultural Affairs is seeking ¥233.5 billion, more than double its previous-year budget, with new programs including ¥64.9 billion in support for developing creators and others. The Japan Tourism Agency has requested ¥180 billion funded by the International Tourist Tax. The final amounts will be decided in the upcoming budget process.

[Autumn 2026] Evening Temple and Shrine Visits and Illuminations Outside Kyoto City: Kencho-ji, Zuiganji, Ishiyama-dera, Hase-dera and More

From Rinnoji in Nikko to Hase-dera in Kamakura, 10 temples and shrines outside Kyoto city open their grounds at night this autumn. We list admission, reservations, hours, whether there is projection and organizers in order of dates, and also report the suspension at Byodoin in Uji.

What Is the Digitization of Cultural Properties? From High-Resolution Replicas, 3D Scanning and Digital Archives to Video Exhibits

The revised Museum Act added the digitization and publication of materials to museums’ activities. Using official materials, we cover everything from the terms of use for ColBase images to high-resolution replicas, 3D scanning and immersive exhibits at national museums.

Subsidies for Light-Ups and Projection Mapping: 2026 Calls from the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the Japan Tourism Agency and Tokyo

Using the application guidelines of the agencies in charge, we set out the national and Tokyo Metropolitan Government programs used for the nighttime use of cultural properties and light staging, covering eligible applicants, subsidy rates and caps and application periods, along with examples of events that have used them.