Around the World in Projection Mapping: Japan's Largest Video Mapping Event of 2025
In this new series, we’ll explore projection mapping projects around the globe! From shows on Australia’s iconic Sydney Opera House to Romania’s massive parliament building, we’ll be displaying some of the hottest monthly global projects.
With urban projection mapping, iconic landmarks can become canvases for incredible shows. And in March, Japan demonstrated just how spectacular these shows can be!
Ichihata Co., Ltd. held Japan's largest projection mapping event of 2025, Departure, at the newly opened Anabuki Arena Kagawa in Takamatsu City from March 13-15. About 6,000 people attended on just the first day!
With plenty of food trucks around, many folks grabbed local cuisine while viewing the captivating lights during this free event. Some even enjoyed the mapping from a special viewing cruise on the nearby sea. Let’s take a closer look at this dazzling event!
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Using Urban Projection Mapping to Boost Tourism
Urban projection mapping has gained tremendous popularity in recent years as a creative way to attract tourists and enhance local culture. This multimedia art, where digital projections are displayed onto buildings or public spaces, creates stunning visual experiences.
With the opening of the Anabuki Arena Kagawa (also called Kagawa Prefectural Arena) in February 2025, plans were put in place to promote night-time tourism there. And what better way to promote it than with a riveting public event?
So, in the middle of March, projections leaped across the building’s uniquely shaped and large structure. Drones also flew around, capturing glimpses of the show’s grandiosity.
Experiences like this create highly shareable content on social media, from official videos to audience clips, further boosting tourism through word of mouth and viral marketing.
Naturalistic and Cultural Inspirations
Takamatsu, located in the Kagawa Prefecture of Japan, is a city known for its rich cultural heritage—and this event was indictive of that. The digital animations projected were based on motifs of the Earth, the nearby Seto Inland Sea, and traditional Kagawa culture.
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Renditions of cherry blossoms, traditional Japanese umbrellas or Wagasa, and phoenix-like creatures known as Hōō were among the beautiful scenes displayed. At one point, a striking blue dragon even flew with grace from one side of the building to the other.
This event shows how urban projection mapping can bring stories to life in a novel way, allowing visitors to connect emotionally with a new location while enriching everyday life for locals.
Watch Here
For those who couldn’t attend in person, here’s a video of the event!
FAQ
What projection mapping projector should you use at home?
From projecting on cakes to house projection mapping, there are a variety of projectors you can use for your own projects. It’s recommended to use projectors with a short throw lens and at least 2000 lumens. Here are a few popular choices: Epson Home Cinema 5050UB, BenQ HT3550, ViewSonic PX747-4K, and Optoma UHD50X.
Where are some places to visit in Japan if you love tech?
Visit Yodobashi Camera, one of the country’s largest electronic shops, or Ginza Sony Park, where you can try out Sony’s latest gadgets. There are lots of popular destinations for gamers too, including multi-level SEGA-branded arcades and even a Pokémon Mega Center. Plus, art museums are plentiful—and many of them feature high-tech displays. Check out these 5 places to visit in Tokyo if you love tech.
What Takamatsu City hotel should you stay at if you’re visiting there?
Takamatsu is the capital of Kagawa, Japan's smallest prefecture, located on the island of Shikoku. There are many comfortable and convenient hotels in Takamatsu City. Before booking anything, look over this list of the 10 closest hotels to Takamatsu Station.
Photo Credit: Ichihata Co., Ltd
A University of Central Florida double-alum with a Master’s in Digital Media, I'm a content creator who loves bringing people together over shared interests. As AVIXA's Coordinator of Digital Content, I produce articles on a myriad of technology topics. I've also been working on virtual reality projects lately, transforming folk tales into VR narratives.
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Thanks for sharing !
Glad you enjoyed the article! I always look forward to your posts @Alexis Bou Farhat, CTS-D, CTS-I
As a video artist, how do we apply to get involved in some of these amazing events? It would be great if AVIXA had a "how-to" or specific group that helped creators get involved. I currently do manage and do the content for the digital signage at Lincoln Center, for events and marketing, on all the screens in each building and along 65th street. I would also love a pool of video artists to pull from for other events at other locations I curate for. Loved the article!
Thanks @Melissa Negron Ulto, great question! AVIXA's Xchange is continuously adding new features, and we will take your feedback into account. For now, I would recommend posting a case study on your project, maybe adding a video (YouTube videos are easiest to embed!), and closing it with a call-to-action to connect with video artists for other events. Additionally, you can claim your company profile here to start building even more brand awareness: https://www.avixa.org/avixa-xchange-listings.