Matsumoto Castle to Host Spectacular National Treasure Projection Mapping Event
One of Japan’s most iconic national treasures is set to be the canvas for a massive light art installation this winter.
Matsumoto Castle in Nagano Prefecture will host the “National Treasure Matsumoto Castle Tower Projection Mapping 2025-2026,” an event produced by Ikki Co., Ltd., Epson Sales Co., Ltd., and Seiko Epson Corporation.
The free, large-scale show will illuminate the historic castle keep and park, running for two months as a main feature of the “Castle Town Festival of Light and Ice Matsumoto City Illumination 2025-2026.”
Event Overview
The event will project dynamic and fantastical images onto the keep and stone walls of Matsumoto Castle, which is celebrated as the oldest remaining five-story, six-story castle tower in Japan.
The visuals will draw heavily from local culture, featuring nishiki-e (colored woodblock prints) from the Matsumoto City Museum collection, gorgeous folding screen paintings, and motifs of traditional crafts like Matsumoto temari (balls) and lanterns.
The show will also depict seasonal beauty, such as spring cherry blossoms and flowers from the Northern Alps.
Beyond the main tower projection, visitors can experience a variety of other light art, including interactive content on the garden paths and projection mapping at the castle gate.
The event is divided into three distinct phases, each with a different theme:
- Phase 1 (Dec 13, 2025 – Jan 7, 2026): “Castle that Transcends Time – A Story of Light”
- Phase 2 (Jan 8 – Jan 28, 2026): “Memories of Light – A Digest of Famous Scenes”
- Phase 3 (Jan 29 – Feb 15, 2026): “Illuminated Castle Tower – The Dawn of Spring”
The main 9-minute (approx.) show will run on a continuous loop with a 3-minute intermission.
While the event will be held in rain or snow, it may be suspended for severe weather.
Location
- Venue: Matsumoto Castle Park
- Address: Marunouchi 4-1, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture
- Dates: Saturday, December 13, 2025 – Sunday, February 15, 2026
- Hours: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM (18:00 – 22:00)
- Admission: Free, no prior registration required.
- Access: The park is an approximately 20-minute walk from JR Matsumoto Station. It is also accessible via a short bus ride from the station (getting off at the “Matsumoto Castle/City Hall” stop). For drivers, the Matsumoto IC on the Nagano Expressway is about 20 minutes away.
Event Details
| calendar_month DATE | Dec 13 2025 - Feb 15 2026 |
|---|---|
| schedule TIME | 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm |
| payments Cost | FREE |
| info Website | Official Website |
| location_on Location | Matsumoto Castle Park |
|---|---|
| map Area | Nagano |
| category CATEGORY | Illumination |
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