If you happen to be in Osaka in the next month and feel up to braving the chilly nights, there is an interesting event taking place at Osaka Castle as part of the Art Festival of Light. In addition to the castle gardens being decorated with thousands of twinkling bulbs and a giant cube of swirling light constructed with LEDs, the castle itself will be the canvas for a 3D mapping projection guaranteed to confuse your brain.
3D mapping projection uses an irregularly shaped backdrop, in this case the eaves of Osaka’s famous 16th century castle, as a projection screen. Using special software that takes the shape of the backdrop into account, the projection can create optical illusions of extra dimensions and movement.
For a taste of how it looks, check out this video:
Pretty neat, right? The 9-minute show conceptualizes the history of Osaka Castle from its feudal roots, through its multiple destructions and rebuildings, to its place in the modern, pop city.
The show will be held from 17:30-22:30 on weekends and other specified days until Feb 6th and costs 1,600 yen (US$15) for adults and 950 yen for children.
▼The grounds of the castle are also decorated with colorful lights. 
▼”Big Blue,” a sea of undulating blue lights that feels like being in the middle of a digital ocean
▼Inside Japan’s largest cube of LED lights
▼Naturally, lots of tasty food and drinks are on offer, including hot spiced wine and turkey legs.
▼The Baroque gardens are the set for another light show, set to classic Baroque music.
▼From a closer vantage point, you can see how the projection depends on the contours of the building to achieve the 3D effect.
Images and video: RocketNews24
New 3D aquarium show to let visitors experience a trip to the deep sea in Enoshima
Amazing nighttime video shows Osaka, Tokyo’s rival, has a skyline that’s second to none
“2D vs. Katana” exhibition shows off recreations of swords from anime and video games in Osaka
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Adorable Totoro acorn key holders come with a special guest hidden inside[Photos]
Recent trend of “near water” questions the very definition of “water”
Mr. Sato taste tests not only the original takoyaki, but its predecessor, radioyaki, in Osaka
Survey finds that one in five high schoolers don’t know who music legend Masaharu Fukuyama is
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Japanese Prime Minister once criticized deploying military to fight Godzilla
Poop is in full bloom at the Unko Museums for cherry blossom season
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
And now, we eat a bear paw we bought in Japan’s Chiba Prefecture【Taste test】
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is Sapporio’s Snow Festival awesome enough to be worth visiting even if you hate the snow? [Pics]
Japan has trams that say “sorry” while they ride around town…but why?
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Sakura Totoro is here to get spring started early with adorable pouches and plushies
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says