Hitohata's 'ASAKUSA CULTURE & LIGHTS 2025' Wins Gold at MUSE Creative Awards 2026
The first-ever projection mapping event at Senso-ji Temple, produced by Hitohata Inc., won the Gold Award in the Experiential & Immersive category at the MUSE Creative Awards 2026. Attracting over 150,000 visitors, the project was recognized for its world-class creativity in blending historical assets with technology.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 18, 2026 at 22:30
- 🔍 Collected: May 18, 2026 at 14:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 18, 2026 at 14:04 (3 min after Collected)
Hitohata Inc. (CEO: Takeaki Higashiyama) announced that its 'ASAKUSA CULTURE & LIGHTS 2025' production has received the Gold Winner award in the 'Experiential & Immersive - Interactive Outdoor Event' category at the international MUSE Creative Awards 2026.
The MUSE Creative Awards is a global competition established in 2015 by the International Awards Associate (IAA) to honor excellence in advertising, design, and digital media. With over 10,000 entries annually from across the globe, this gold recognition marks a significant milestone for Japanese cultural tech.
The event themed around the 1,400-year history of Senso-ji Temple featured projection mapping across the Hozomon Gate, Five-Story Pagoda, and Nitenmon Gate—a first in the temple's history. Digital animations included motifs like the 'Dance of the Golden Dragon,' Fujin and Raijin (Gods of Wind and Thunder), and dynamic renderings of rarely-seen historical Ema (votive tablets).
Alongside the mapping, the event offered daytime and nighttime special tours of the Denpo-in Garden and the Ema-do hall, which houses works by legendary artists like Utagawa Kuniyoshi and Hasegawa Settan. These areas had not been open to the public for seven years.
Over 150,000 people attended the projection mapping, while 5,000 visitors joined the special tours. Hitohata plans to continue promoting regional nighttime economies by utilizing historical monuments. The next installment of 'ASAKUSA CULTURE & LIGHTS' is slated for Autumn 2026.
The MUSE Creative Awards is a global competition established in 2015 by the International Awards Associate (IAA) to honor excellence in advertising, design, and digital media. With over 10,000 entries annually from across the globe, this gold recognition marks a significant milestone for Japanese cultural tech.
The event themed around the 1,400-year history of Senso-ji Temple featured projection mapping across the Hozomon Gate, Five-Story Pagoda, and Nitenmon Gate—a first in the temple's history. Digital animations included motifs like the 'Dance of the Golden Dragon,' Fujin and Raijin (Gods of Wind and Thunder), and dynamic renderings of rarely-seen historical Ema (votive tablets).
Alongside the mapping, the event offered daytime and nighttime special tours of the Denpo-in Garden and the Ema-do hall, which houses works by legendary artists like Utagawa Kuniyoshi and Hasegawa Settan. These areas had not been open to the public for seven years.
Over 150,000 people attended the projection mapping, while 5,000 visitors joined the special tours. Hitohata plans to continue promoting regional nighttime economies by utilizing historical monuments. The next installment of 'ASAKUSA CULTURE & LIGHTS' is slated for Autumn 2026.
FAQ
When is the next Senso-ji projection mapping?
The next 'ASAKUSA CULTURE & LIGHTS' is scheduled for Autumn 2026. Details will be announced on the official site.
What is the MUSE Creative Award?
It is an international award recognizing excellence in advertising and digital media, receiving over 10,000 entries annually from around the world.
What were the highlights of this event?
Key highlights included the first-ever projection mapping on the temple gates and rare public access to the Denpo-in Garden.