#Night-Time Economy

[Autumn/Winter 2026] Hiroshima Art Guide: Hiroshima Castle Winter Wander, Dreamination, and the Hiroshima Museum of Art, Prefectural Art Museum and Museum of Contemporary Art

“Hiroshima Castle Winter Wander 2026” brings the first projection mapping to the castle keep from December 18, and “Hiroshima Dreamination” has moved to December 4–January 24. A guide to the winter night events, exhibitions at three city museums in the same period, and New Year closing days.

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.

Hiroshima Castle Guide 2026: What to See After the Keep Closed, Admission and Hours, the Ninomaru and A-Bomb Sites, and the Winter Wander Projection Mapping

Hiroshima Castle’s keep closed on March 22, 2026, but the reconstructed Ninomaru is open free of charge, and the keep’s exterior and the A-bomb sites in the Honmaru can still be seen. This guide covers the castle’s history, the Hiroshima Castle Sannomaru History Museum opening in June 2027 and the free projection mapping from December 18, based on official information.

How to Photograph Projection Mapping: Smartphone Video and Exposure Tips, Camera Settings, Tripods and Etiquette (Winter 2026–27)

Washed-out highlights and blur are the most common problems when photographing projection mapping. Here are tips for smartphones and cameras, the flash, tripod and burst-shooting etiquette announced by venues such as Tsuruga-jo Castle and Hiroshima Castle this winter, and the dates of events you can shoot.

Osaka City Central Public Hall Guide 2026: History, Highlights and How to Visit the Red-Brick Important Cultural Property, plus December Projection Mapping

Osaka City Central Public Hall in Nakanoshima is a red-brick Important Cultural Property completed in 1918. This guide covers its history from Iwamoto Einosuke’s donation to the restoration, the free basement exhibition room, Special Room guided tours, opening hours and access, and the free projection mapping from December 11 to 25, based on official information.

Winter 2026–27: Projection Mapping at Tsuruga-jo Castle, Osaka City Central Public Hall and Hiroshima Castle, plus Ukiyo-e Immersive Art Exhibition GIFU — Dates, Hours and Admission at a Glance

From November 2026 to January 2027, castles and an Important Cultural Property in Aizuwakamatsu, Osaka and Hiroshima become canvases for projection mapping, while Gifu hosts an immersive ukiyo-e exhibition. Here are the dates, hours, admission and access for four events produced with HITOHATA, INC., with answers to frequently asked questions.

“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.

[Autumn 2026] A Guide to Asakusa at Night: Senso-ji Illuminations, an Observation Terrace, and Important Cultural Property Gates and Shrine Halls

Senso-ji’s Main Hall and Five-Story Pagoda are illuminated every night until around 23:00, and until November 3 video is also projected onto the Main Hall and Hozomon Gate. The observation terrace of the Kengo Kuma–designed tourist center is free until 22:00. We put together a route for exploring Asakusa at night, including gates and shrine halls designated Important Cultural Properties.

[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] Illuminations and Light Events in the Tokai Region: Nabana no Sato, LAGUNA TEN BOSCH, Shirakawa-go and More

Nabana no Sato’s illumination runs until Monday, May 31, 2027, and the Shirakawa-go Light-Up takes place on four days in January. Including LAGUNA TEN BOSCH, Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens and Izu’s Gran Illumi, we have compiled 17 light events across the four Tokai prefectures from official announcements.

[2026–2027] Illuminations and Light Events in Hokuriku and Koshinetsu: Kenrokuen, Gokayama, Zenko-ji, Tsuruga Port and More

The Zenko-ji Omotesando Illumination begins on Saturday, November 14, and the “NIIGATA Pageant of Light” south of Niigata Station on Friday, November 20. Including the winter light-ups at Kenrokuen and Gokayama, we have compiled 16 events across six prefectures in Hokuriku and Koshinetsu from official announcements.

[2026–2027] Illuminations and Light Events in Chugoku and Shikoku: Hiroshima Dreamination, Tottori Hanakairo, Shiromine-ji and More

We have compiled, by prefecture, 15 light events in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions from November to February, including Hiroshima Dreamination, which has moved its start to December 4; Tottori Hanakairo with its one million lights; and the special night viewing at Shiromine-ji Temple. Dates, prices and whether reservations are required were checked against official announcements.

[2026–2027] Winter Illuminations and Snow Lights in Tohoku and Hokkaido: Pageant of Starlight, Kamakura, Snow Festivals and More

Sendai’s “SENDAI Pageant of Starlight” begins on Friday, December 4, and the “Sapporo White Illumination” on Friday, November 20. Including the snow festivals and snow lights of February 2027, we have sorted out the light and snow events of Tohoku and Hokkaido from official announcements.

13 Local Government Light Events and Projection Mapping Projects: Comparing Aims, Budgets and Visitor Numbers from Public Records

Using calls for proposals, financial statements and press releases for 13 cases, including those of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Osaka and Kagawa Prefecture, we sorted out the aims, budgets and visitor numbers of light events. Contract ceilings range from ¥9,500,000 to ¥265,000,000, and the way visitors are counted also differs from case to case.

[2026–2027] Illuminations and Light Events in Kyushu and Okinawa: Fukuoka Castle Ruins, Huis Ten Bosch, Nagasaki Lantern Festival and More

We have compiled, by prefecture, 16 light events in Kyushu and Okinawa from November to February, including teamLab at the Fukuoka Castle ruins for the first time in seven years, Huis Ten Bosch’s lights renewed for the first time in 16 years and the Nagasaki Lantern Festival opening on February 5. Dates, prices and whether reservations are required were checked against official announcements.