TOKYO LIGHTS 2026 — 1 Minute Projection Mapping Competition

TOKYO LIGHTS 2026

Screenings: May 23–24 & May 30–31 (Finale: May 31) — Tokyo, Japan

TOKYO LIGHTS is one of the world’s premier projection mapping competitions. International artists compete to map the landmark Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building with stunning 1-minute projection mapped works, transforming one of Tokyo’s most recognisable architectural landmarks into a canvas for digital art.

What to Expect

• 1-Minute Projection Mapping Competition — short-form architectural mapping at its finest
• International submissions from artists worldwide
• Screenings across two weekends with public voting and jury judging
• Grand finale on May 31 with awards ceremony
• Free public screenings drawing tens of thousands of spectators

VJ Technology in Use

Competitors use MadMapper, Resolume Arena, TouchDesigner, and Cinema 4D to create content mapped to the precise geometry of the government building. High-lumen Barco and Christie projectors deliver the content at architectural scale.

Why It Matters for VJ Culture

TOKYO LIGHTS represents the intersection of VJ culture and architectural art on one of the world’s biggest stages. The competition format encourages innovation in short-form visual storytelling — a discipline increasingly relevant to VJ performance culture.