The ‘Tokugawa Shogun Family Bodhiji Jodozan Daijuiji Temple Digital Art Night 2025’, produced by HITOHATA,INC., was held at Daijuji Temple (Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture) from 17 (Fri) to 19 (Sun) January 2025. (Organised by Okazaki City Night Time Economy Promotion Council).

At Daijuji Temple, the family temple of the Matsudaira and Tokugawa Shogun families, projection mapping images were projected onto the magnificent architecture of the gate, a tangible cultural property designated by Aichi Prefecture, using the motif of many cultural properties, including the Daihojo barrier paintings, an important cultural property of which Daijuji Temple is proud, and the premises, including the important cultural property, the Taiho-to, were lit up. The main hall of the temple was also illuminated with a projection mapping image of the Daho-to.

In addition, the fusuma-no-ma (sliding door room) and the hall of honorific tablets, which are paintings by Tamekyo Reizei, were restored in the Daihojo room at the back of the main hall, and were illuminated with fantastic night-time light. For the first time, high-resolution digital data was used to recreate the world of the Sugitoe paintings through projection mapping for a special night-time viewing.

In addition to the projection mapping and special night-time viewing, the event was held as an event where visitors could enjoy the culture and history of Daijuji Temple with all five senses, including the lighting up of the precincts of the temple, including the Important Cultural Property, Taiho-to, the special ‘Lantern Offering’ in the main hall and a dining area where visitors could experience Okazaki City and Daijuji's unique food culture, including ‘Haccho miso grilled rice balls’ and ‘sea bream tempura’. In addition, mini rabbit soup was served to the first 100 visitors on all days of the event.

*This event was subsidised by the Agency for Cultural Affairs under the 2024 ‘Subsidy for Cultural Resource Utilisation Projects (Promotion of the Use of Attractive Cultural Properties in Various Areas of Japan)’.

Outline of the event

[Name] Tokugawa Shogun's Family Bodhiji Jodozan Daijuji Temple Digital Art Night 2025

[Dates] 17 (Fri) - 19 (Sun) Jan 2025 17:30 - 21:00

*The projection mapping was a continuous projection of approximately 7 minutes of content with an intermission of approximately 3 minutes.

[Venue] Daijuji Temple (5-1 Aza Hiromoto, Kamoda-cho, Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture)

[Contents, fees, etc.]

＜Special night-time viewing of the main hall of the Daihojo and the Hall of Buddhist tablets＞

Projection mapping of the gate of the temple, a tangible cultural property designated by Aichi Prefecture, and lighting up of the important cultural property Taiho Tower.

Projection mapping images featuring many cultural properties, including the Daibojo barrier paintings, an important cultural property of Daijuji Temple, will be projected onto the magnificent architecture of the Sanmon Gate, a tangible cultural property designated by Aichi Prefecture. In addition, the precincts of the temple, including the important cultural asset Dahojoto, are illuminated.

Time: 17 (Fri) - 19 (Sun) January 2025, 17:30-21:00.

Venue: Daijuji temple gate, Dabotou Pagoda and precincts (outdoors)

Fee: Free admission, no advance application required.

*The projection mapping was a continuous projection of approximately 7 minutes of content with an intermission of approximately 3 minutes.

Other contents and fees for ‘Tokugawa Shoguns’ Family Temple: Jodozan Daijuji Temple Digital Art Night 2025’.

＜Special night-time viewing of the main hall of the Daihojo and the Hall of Buddhist tablets＞

The sliding door room of the restored barrier paintings of the Daihojo by Reizei Tamekyo in the inner part of the main hall and the hall of honor tiles will be decorated with fantastic night-time light, and for the first time high-resolution digital data will be used for 22 paintings, including 16 paintings on cedar doors designated as important cultural properties (ita-e bokuro cedar doors) and 6 paintings on small wooden doors (kobojo cedar doors), which have been on display for over 40 years, along with 49 paintings of the Daihojo. The night-time special viewings were held to recreate the world of the Sugitoe paintings through projection mapping, utilising high-resolution digital data for the first time.

In addition, a special night-time audio guide provided commentary, and a fantastical candlelight tribute was also held in the main hall.

Opening hours: 17 (Fri) - 19 (Sun) Jan 2025, 17:30 - 21:00 (last admission at 20:30)

Place: Main hall, Daihojo and Saijodo (indoor) of Daijuji Temple

Fee: Adults (high school students and above) 800 yen / Elementary and junior high school students 500 yen / Pre-school children free

Lantern offering fee: 1,000 yen.

No advance application required.

The ‘Lantern Offering’ is an offering of a candle with a wish written on it.

＜Ieyasu-ko Hometown Gourmet Food and Drink Area＞

This is a food and beverage area where visitors can experience the unique culinary culture of Okazaki City and Daijuiji Temple, including ‘Hatcho miso grilled rice balls’ and ‘sea bream tempura’ associated with the Tokugawa family.

Mini rabbit soup was served to the first 100 visitors on all event days.

Time: 17 (Fri) - 19 (Sun) Jan 2025 17:30 - 21:00 *Close when sold out.

Place: Space next to the main hall of Daijuji Temple (outdoors)

＜Premium tour ‘Kyoku Daijuji’ - private viewing of precious cultural assets with food favoured by Lord Ieyasu and fascinating digital art.

This is a premium tour that includes a lunch of ‘Ieyasu Gozen’, a guided tour of Okazaki Castle and Daijuji Temple, and a private viewing of the special night-time viewing before it opens.

Tour dates: 17 (Fri) - 19 (Sun) Jan 2025.

*Guided tours by Okazaki History Guides on 17 (Fri) and 19 (Sun) Jan, and by the Great Ieyasu Lord ‘Aoi’ Busyoutai (Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu) on 18 (Sat) Jan.

Duration: 12.30-19.30 hrs.

Capacity: 16 persons per session (minimum number of participants: 4).

Fee: Advance booking required.

Okazaki Historical Traveller Plan: Friday 17 and Sunday 19 January, 14,800 yen (incl. tax)

Great Ieyasu ‘Aoi’ Warriors Plan (Prince Tokugawa Ieyasu) Saturday 18 Jan. 16,800 yen (incl. tax)

*Option (Upgrade Plan: limited special viewing of cultural properties in the storage room) ¥5,000 (incl. tax)

[Organiser] Okazaki City Night Time Economy Promotion Council.

[Planning and production] HITOHATA,INC.

[Supporting] Okazaki City

[Cooperation] Daijuji, Okazaki City Tourist Association, TV Aichi, Meitetsu Kanko Service, Okazaki Gourmet Enhancement Association