Bringing 2024 to a Close with a Projection Mapping Show of Tradition and Innovation Report on Happy New Year Tokyo 2025

The “TOKYO NIGHTTIME PROJECT” aims to energize nighttime tourism in the Nishi-Shinjuku area of Shinjuku, Tokyo. As part of this, the “Happy New Year Tokyo 2025” countdown event was held on New Year’s Eve of 2024.

A special night featuring a spectacular projection mapping and fireworks show, enlivened by a cast of special guests from various circles, unfolded at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building's Citizen's Plaza. About 3,000 people, including residents of Tokyo and foreign travelers, gathered for the event. In this article, we look back at how the night unfolded.

Countdown Event Held Amidst the Glittering Lights of Nishi-Shinjuku

On December 31, as the night deepened, the area around the high-rise buildings of Nishi-Shinjuku gradually started to take on an air of excitement. Trees lining a stretch of approximately 200 meters on Chuo-dori Street running adjacent to Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building were adorned with illuminations. There were also food trucks serving soba and ramen noodles and other dishes. The venue for Happy New Year Tokyo 2025 was Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building's Citizen’s Plaza, where excitement was building among the tourists visiting the area.

Happy New Year Tokyo 2025 was a fun countdown event for seeing out the old year while experiencing Tokyo’s charming “tradition” and “innovation”. Those gathered witnessed a one-night-only special performance in the Citizen’s Plaza, the main venue of the event. In addition, a satellite venue was set up on Tocho-dori Avenue, while live streaming via YouTube made it possible for anyone to enjoy the event.

From 9pm onwards, the venue gradually started to fill with many participants, ranging from children to adults and foreign tourists. The extraordinary sight of the 243-meter-high Tokyo Metropolitan Government No. 1 Building towering behind the special stage heightened the sense of anticipation.

Projection Mapping Show Lighting Up the New Year's Eve Night!

At 10pm, projection mapping was projected onto Tokyo Metropolitan Government No. 1 Building to coincide with the announcement of the opening of Part 1. The Citizen’s Plaza has become a new tourist spot for Tokyo with projection mapping shows now being held all year-round, and popular works from this “TOKYO Night & Light” initiative were projected onto Tokyo Metropolitan Government No. 1 Building on this night too. With works featuring motifs from Japan's proud culture, including game characters, Godzilla, and idols, the venue was adorned with a diverse array of images.

Towards the end of the first part of the event, the DJ Tomoyuki Tanaka appeared on stage. Mr. Tanaka is also active as a music producer and music selector both in Japan and overseas, and he also produces music under his own solo project “FPM”. As music director, he captivated audiences from around the world at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Bringing together famous songs from all times and places, Mr. Tanaka played tunes ranging from club music to Showa favorites. With the phrase “TOKYO” popping up throughout the show, the venue was enveloped in a sense of togetherness, and some participants even broke out into dancing. The rising mood of excitement seemed to blow away the winter cold.

Looking Back Over 2024 with Tsubasa Imai

For the opening of the second part, which started at 11:15pm, traditional shamisen background music was played along with the projection mapping. The projected images showed beautiful cherry trees modeled on those in Komagome, Tokyo, which is regarded as the birthplace of Somei Yoshino cherry trees. Then, as the image jumped back in time to the Edo period, a single express messenger in the ukiyo-e style was shown running along the Tokaido Highway and Edo streets. As the images moved into the Meiji, Taisho, Showa and present eras, sumo wrestlers, shadow puppets and everyday items from the period of rapid economic growth were projected, and the express messenger was shown running into the future Shinjuku. Everyone gathered was mesmerized by the dazzling spectacle of tradition fused with innovation.

After the opening images were finished, Tsubasa Imai, the actor, artist, and TV celebrity, appeared as a guest on stage. Dressed in white Japanese attire, he related his impressions of the projection mapping. “This unique projection mapping performance has been truly powerful and spectacular, as one might expect from this fusion of tradition and innovation. For me, the ukiyo-e scenes were particularly impressive.” As a performer in such fields as flamenco and kabuki, Mr. Imai himself is someone who takes on the challenge of fusing tradition and innovation.

“In my mid-twenties, I traveled to Spain, where I was captivated by flamenco and ended up trying it for myself. Afterwards, I saw a new kabuki play GOEMON by Ainosuke Kataoka, thanks to the fact that my flamenco teacher was a kabuki performer, and I ended up appearing together with Ainosuke after sharing my thoughts. Both flamenco and kabuki share a willingness to tackle new challenges on top of tradition. Looking forward, as an actor, I intend to take on various new challenges while absorbing both traditional performing arts.” (Mr. Imai)

Mr. Imai, while carrying on the tradition, does not rest on his laurels, but rather is always ready to take on new challenges. It feels like such an attitude will be indispensable for the future of Tokyo too.

A Fantastic Performance of DJ’ing, Taiko Drums and Images

Next to appear on stage were DJ and music producer Tomoyuki Tanaka and Kodo Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble, and a coordinated performance of DJ’ing, taiko drums and projection mapping began.

Kodo re-creates traditional musical arts based around taiko drums for modern audiences. After debuting at the Berlin Festival in 1981, Kodo has performed in numerous countries and regions. Through performing for many years at overseas venues, Kodo has established the “Taiko” performing genre, while in Japan, the group has truly embodied the spirit of “tradition and innovation” by collaborating with kabuki and other arts.

When DJ and music producer Tomoyuki Tanaka began to play some ambient music, the main stage slowly started to reverberate with the rhythm of the taiko drums. The sound gradually spread to engulf the audience, and Kodo launched into its powerful taiko performance. As the group performed “Sasurai” with beautifully flowing flute tones, and the powerfully profound “Kizashi”, the resounding beat of the drums reached a climax. It was at this point that DJ and music producer Tomoyuki Tanaka joined in again, blending futuristic sounds with the traditional music. Innovative grooves and the 3-3-7 rhythm lifted the mood of the audience even further.

This fantastic show of sound and light was a fitting end to the year, and the audience and stage were united as one by the festive mood.

Governor Koike Yuriko's Aspirations for Tokyo in 2025

Following the performances, Tokyo Governor Koike, appeared on stage to convey her thoughts on Happy New Year Tokyo 2025.

“I have looked forward very much to celebrating this New Year moment with you all. I hope you enjoyed the Guinness World Record-breaking projection mapping on Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, showcasing Tokyo's world-class ‘tradition’ and ‘innovation’. Furthermore, with various events featuring illuminations and other attractions being held in various parts of Tokyo, the nighttime buzz is spreading across the capital. Next year, we will continue to powerfully convey the charms of Tokyo, captivating the hearts of many people in Japan and abroad, and we hope that this will lead to the further development of our city.” (Governor Koike)

Next, Mr. Imai and the members of Kodo also appeared on stage. Expressing his sense of elation, Mr. Imai said, “As a Japanese person, I have been thrilled by the collaboration between Mr. Tanaka and Kodo, and I’m really excited about the approaching countdown”.

The Highly Anticipated Countdown and Participants’ Hopes for the Future

With the New Year just around the corner, it was finally time for the countdown. Images of “Digital Ema” (votive plaques), conveying people’s wishes for 2025 that had been received in advance, were projected onto Tokyo Metropolitan Government No. 1 Building. As the countdown approached, the wishes of the guests were also projected: “Toward one earth” (Kodo), “Make the world happy through music” (Mr. Tanaka), “Health first” (Mr. Imai), and “May Tokyo shine brighter” (Governor Koike).

With the projection mapping displaying the countdown numbers and the image of a dragon, the Chinese zodiac sign for 2024, flying into the sky, the MC called out to the audience, and Mr. Imai, the members of Kodo, Governor Koike, and all the participants joined together in counting down “3, 2, 1...”. At the moment the time struck midnight, “Happy New Year 2025” was projected, and fireworks were launched high into the sky, drawing loud cheers from the gathered crowd. The mood of the venue reached a crescendo.

In the midst of the excitement, all of the guests also expressed their aspirations for the year ahead.

“As members of Kodo, we will do our best again this year to make Japan and the world a better place through the power of taiko.” (Kodo)

“With gratitude for everyone who supports me, I hope to make this another year of taking on my own challenges. Thank you for your support.” (Mr. Imai)

“As the capital city of Tokyo, we will continue to work for the enrichment of everyone's life while giving Japan a boost. I sincerely hope that 2025 will be a wonderful year for all of you.” (Governor Koike)

Afterwards, the “Digital Ema” submitted by applicants were again projected onto Tokyo Metropolitan Government No.1 Building. Various wishes for 2025, including “May my whole family be in good health”, “May I gain admission to my school of choice”, “A New Year full of smiles”, and “A happy and harmonious life with my partner” were displayed. There were also numerous messages from non-Japanese participants, including “Chúc Mừng Năm Mới! (Happy New Year!)”, “Return to Japan soon”, and “Grace & Peace”.

Hoping to Share the Appeal of Tokyo's Nighttime Tourism with More People

I asked participants at the venue what they thought of the night’s proceedings.
“I had seen the projection mapping at the Citizen’s Plaza several times, so I was keen to attend on New Year’s Eve as well. The fusion of techno and house style music with a Japanese world view was very uplifting. I feel that Tokyo's nighttime tourism is gaining momentum and becoming a catalyst for many foreigners to visit the city. I look forward to seeing more in the future.” (Resident of Toshima-ku)

“Having participated in previous events at the Citizen’s Plaza, I applied for this event with my family in eager anticipation of the countdown. Seeing the projection mapping and fireworks up close, it was more powerful than I expected. Since my daughter will be 12 years old in 2025, the Year of the Snake, I want to make it a good year.” (Resident of Ome City)

“This was the first time I saw projection mapping live. The dynamic music and three-dimensional effects are amazing. The Godzilla projection was particularly impressive. The sheer scale was overwhelming. I feel that 2025 is going to be another great year!” (Resident of Machida City)

“With various motifs such as a science fiction-like world and a retro Tokyo being superimposed on each other, the atmosphere was wonderful. I feel that Japanese people tend to spend New Year's Eve quietly, but I was fascinated by the loud music and artful presentations on show at this event. I wish more people knew about it.” (Resident of Taito-ku)

Evolving into an International Tourist City with Roots Dating Back to Edo

With that, Happy New Year Tokyo 2025 safely came to an end. A member of the Tokyo Nighttime Project Executive Committee, the event organizer, reflected on the event as follows. “The fusion of tradition and innovation is one of Tokyo's greatest attractions. Building on its history since the Edo period, Tokyo has constantly evolved and continues to attract people from all over the world today. By further enhancing this strength and attracting more visitors from Japan and abroad, we can realize economic and cultural development and enable Tokyo to grow into an international tourist city. Above all, we wanted Happy New Year Tokyo 2025 to help make 2025 a wonderful year for many people. We will continue to promote Tokyo’s new appeal through enhancing nighttime tourism from now on”.

Thanks to the TOKYO NIGHTTIME PROJECT, Tokyo’s nighttime appeal has been enhanced even more. This area will no doubt continue to prosper with people of all ages and nationalities. Please look forward to the creation of even more Tokyo appeal from now on.