-- The Tokyo International Projection Mapping Award Executive Committee has announced the successful conclusion of TOKYO LIGHTS 2026, a festival of light that illuminated Tokyo’s nights from Saturday, May 23 to Sunday, May 31, 2026. Held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No.1, Citizens’ Plaza, and across the Nishi-Shinjuku area, the nine-day event welcomed approximately 80,000 visitors from Japan and overseas, highlighting Tokyo’s potential as a new global nighttime tourism destination.
One of the main highlights of the festival was the 1minute Projection Mapping Competition, one of the world’s largest international projection mapping competitions. The awards ceremony was held on Saturday, May 30, where the top works were selected from a record-breaking 412 entries submitted by creators from 65 countries and regions.
The competition transformed the massive facade of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building into a global canvas, bringing together moving images, sound, and architectural design under this year’s theme, “Dialogue.” The participating works delivered immersive artistic experiences that captivated audiences throughout the event.
The GRAND PRIZE (Tokyo Governor PRIZE) was awarded to “Touch Talk” by Signal Bleed from Brazil. Other winners included:
- SECOND PRIZE: “Aporia” by VPM (Spain)
- THIRD PRIZE: “The Beauty of Collision” by Bigcool (Thailand)
- Tokyo Tokyo PRIZE: “1Pulse” by Anionavision (Romania)
- Audience PRIZE: “Infinite Dialogue” by Taro Narahara (Japan)
At the awards ceremony, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike expressed her appreciation for the participating creators and highlighted the significance of hosting an international projection mapping competition using the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building as its screen.
“This was the first time the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building itself served as the screen for this international projection mapping competition, and remarkable works from around the world gathered here in Tokyo,” Governor Koike said. She expressed hope that the event would inspire creators who could continue expanding their careers from Tokyo to the world.
Governor Koike also emphasized Tokyo’s growing reputation as a global city, noting its recognition in international city rankings and the importance of nighttime tourism. She highlighted that projection mapping displayed regularly on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest permanent architectural projection mapping display and has welcomed approximately 1.4 million visitors.
Signal Bleed, winner of the GRAND PRIZE, shared his appreciation during his acceptance speech, saying that receiving the award among talented artists from around the world was a tremendous honor.
Grand Finale Celebrates Light, Art, and Family Connection
The festival concluded with the Grand Finale on Sunday, May 31, featuring official ambassador and actor Tao Tsuchiya, alongside special supporters Honoka Tsuchiya and Shimba Tsuchiya.
The three siblings, who have long admired TOKYO LIGHTS, appeared together in a special stage program featuring discussions about their experiences with projection mapping and light art. They were joined by TOKYO LIGHTS 2026 producers Michiyuki Ishita, Executive Producer of the 1minute Projection Mapping Competition, and Kenji Kohashi, Artistic Director of Light Art Park.
Tao Tsuchiya shared that her first experience with TOKYO LIGHTS allowed her to feel completely immersed in projection mapping, describing it as an experience that went beyond ordinary visual entertainment. She also praised Light Art Park for integrating art into everyday urban life, allowing visitors to enjoy artworks casually while walking through the city.
Honoka Tsuchiya highlighted the emotional impact of projection mapping within the urban landscape, saying that the artworks brought warmth and a sense of nature into the city environment. She also mentioned “Embrace” as one of her favorite Light Art Park installations because it created a sense of connection between visitors through interactive experiences.
Shimba Tsuchiya described his experience with the projection mapping as powerful and immersive, noting that the combination of visuals and architecture created an unforgettable impression. He also praised “Fractal Forest” at Light Art Park for showing how light art could create communication between people beyond words.
The producers, Mr. Ishita and Mr. Kohashi, discussed this year’s TOKYO LIGHTS concept, “Visible TOKYO,” and emphasized the importance of creating accessible public art experiences that allow people to connect with creativity in everyday spaces.
Speakers
Tao Tsuchiya (Official Ambassador)
Honoka Tsuchiya (Special Supporter)
Shimba Tsuchiya (Special Supporter)
Michiyuki Ishita (Executive Producer, 1minute Projection Mapping Competition)
Kenji Kohashi (Artistic Director, Light Art Park)
Moderator: Nahomi Inoue
Light Art Park: 12 Works Transform a City Park into a Museum of Light at Night
As part of TOKYO LIGHTS 2026, Light Art Park transformed Shinjuku Chuo Park into an open-air museum of light, featuring 12 light art installations under the artistic direction of Kenji Kohashi.
Among the featured works was “Liquid Universe: Sōbō Chūfu — An Unclassifiable Entomologia of the Luminous Swarm” by Yoichi Ochiai, a four-meter pillar of light that attracted visitors with its dreamlike combination of natural and urban elements.
Another major attraction was “GAIA” by Luke Jerram, which made its Japan debut as a monumental Earth installation appearing to float above the park lawn. The artwork attracted many visitors who came to experience and photograph the impressive display.
Other popular installations included “INTER-WORLD/Cocooner: Apparent motion of celestial bodies” by Akihito Okunaka, an immersive artwork that allowed visitors to physically enter and interact with the installation.
Throughout the festival, families, international tourists, and local visitors gathered at Shinjuku Chuo Park to enjoy the artworks through different forms of interaction, including viewing, touching, and experiencing the installations directly.
A Highly Successful Close Through the Final Day
Held for the first time in the Nishi-Shinjuku area, TOKYO LIGHTS 2026 also generated major buzz on social media. Throughout the event period, large numbers of visitors—including families and inbound travelers—visited Shinjuku Chuo Park, home to Light Art Park, where they could sit on the lawn or benches to appreciate the works, as well as see, touch, and experience them in their own ways.
The venue was filled with smiles and lively energy until the very end, becoming a space where people could discover new dimensions of urban appeal through light and art.
Event Overview TOKYO LIGHTS 2026 – A Festival of Light Illuminating Tokyo's Nights
Event Title: TOKYO LIGHTS 2026
Dates: Saturday, May 23 – Sunday, May 31, 2026
Organizer: Tokyo International Projection Mapping Award Executive Committee
Co-host: Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Support: Shinjuku City
1minute Projection Mapping Competition
Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No.1, Tokyo Citizens’ Plaza
Screenings: Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24, 2026 / 7:20 p.m.–8:10 p.m. and 8:50 p.m.–9:40 p.m.
Screenings / Awards Ceremony: Saturday, May 30, 2026 / 7:15 p.m.–8:50 p.m.
Grand Finale (Award-Winning Works Screening & Stage Program): Sunday, May 31, 2026 / 7:20 p.m.–8:10 p.m.
Light Art Park
Venue: Shinjuku Chuo Park
Schedule: May 23–31, 2026, daily from 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Official Website: https://tokyolights.jp
Social Media:
X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/tokyolights_jp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyolights_jp/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tokyolights.jp
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyolightsjp
Inquiries Regarding Event Details
TOKYO LIGHTS 2026 Secretariat
E-mail: tokyolights_2026@jtbcom.co.jp
(Weekdays only, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., excluding weekends and public holidays)
Contact Info:
Name: Omori, Ishida, Nishida
Email: Send Email
Organization: TOKYO LIGHTS 2026 PR Office (Antil Inc.)
Phone: +81368217863
Website: https://tokyolights.jp
Release ID: 89197115
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