The National Treasure Matsumoto Castle Tower Projection Mapping 2025-2026, produced by Hitohata Inc. in collaboration with Epson Sales Japan Corporation and Seiko Epson Corporation, has reached a milestone of over 100,000 visitors. The event runs from December 13, 2025, through February 15, 2026, at Matsumoto Castle Park in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture. The event is organized by the Jokamachi Matsumoto Festa Executive Committee.
Spectacular Light Show at a National Treasure
This event projects dynamic and fantastical projection mapping imagery onto the castle tower and stone walls of Matsumoto Castle, a National Treasure and the oldest five-story, six-floor castle tower among Japan's five existing original castle towers. The projections feature a variety of themes drawn from Matsumoto's rich cultural heritage.
The visual displays include nishiki-e (brocade prints) depicting the merchant city of Matsumoto from the Matsumoto City Museum collection, gorgeous folding screen paintings, traditional Matsumoto crafts such as Matsumoto temari balls and lanterns, as well as cherry blossoms blooming in spring and flowers of the Northern Alps.
Multiple Experiences Throughout the Park
Beyond the main tower projection, visitors can enjoy various light art experiences throughout Matsumoto Castle Park. Interactive content along the pathways, projection mapping on castle gates, and illumination of the park grounds create a comprehensive light art experience.
Admission to the event is free, and no advance registration is required.
Three Distinct Periods with Different Themes
Throughout the event period, the projection mapping presentations are divided into three distinct phases, each with its own theme:
Period 1: Castle Across Time - Story of Light
December 13, 2025 to January 7, 2026
Period 2: Memories of Light - Highlight Digest
January 8 to 28, 2026
Period 3: Light-Blooming Castle Tower - Dawn of Spring
January 29 to February 15, 2026
The finale presentation, "Light-Blooming Castle Tower - Dawn of Spring," runs through February 15, 2026. Visitors are encouraged to experience the stunning projection mapping that illuminates Matsumoto Castle's winter tower with gorgeous light displays.
Event Details
Name: National Treasure Matsumoto Castle Tower Projection Mapping 2025-2026
Dates: December 13, 2025 to February 15, 2026
Hours: 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Approximately 9-minute content is continuously projected with approximately 3-minute intermissions between shows.
Note: The tower presentations differ by period. The event will proceed in rain or snow, but may be temporarily suspended or canceled in severe weather or earthquakes. Presentations other than the tower may be suspended for separate events or maintenance. Near the end of the event period, visibility may be reduced immediately after the start time due to later sunset times.
Venue: Matsumoto Castle Park (4-1 Marunouchi, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture)
Access
Train: Approximately 20-minute walk from JR Matsumoto Station
Bus: From JR Matsumoto Station, take Utsukushigahara Onsen Line, Asama Line, Okada Line, or Alps Park Line to "Matsumoto Castle/City Hall" stop
Car: Approximately 20 minutes from Matsumoto IC on the Nagano Expressway
Parking: Use Matsumoto City Municipal Matsumoto Castle Otemon Parking Lot (multi-story) (7:30 AM to 10:30 PM, 150 yen per 30 minutes for regular cars, approximately 8-minute walk to Matsumoto Castle)
Admission: Free, no advance registration required
Visitor Guidelines
- Please be careful when walking at night.
- For photography and video recording, please refrain from flash photography, drone photography, and long-duration tripod photography in the front row during crowded times. During busy periods, continuous shooting shutter sounds may disturb others, so please refrain from continuous shooting or use silent shooting mode. Due to the fast-moving imagery, video recording is recommended for smartphones.
- When using tripods, camera position must not exceed the photographer's head height regardless of viewing location (except official documentation staff). Please refrain from photography using stepladders or other items not in contact with the ground.
- As suitable viewing areas are limited, please cooperate in sharing space with others.
- Please be aware that you may appear in photographs/videos taken by staff for official documentation, media coverage, and event improvement analysis using non-personally identifiable movement data.
Organizer: Jokamachi Matsumoto Festa Executive Committee
Production: Epson Sales Japan Corporation, Hitohata Inc., Seiko Epson Corporation
Period 2 Official Documentation Photos
