The Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau announced that it will collaborate with Huis Ten Bosch to hold the "Osaka Castle 3D Mapping Super Illumination," running from December 13th to March 1st, 2015. This year marks the second winter attraction, and last year's event attracted 600,000 visitors, surpassing the target of 500,000. Regarding this winter's initiative, Huis Ten Bosch President Hideo Sawada stated, "We're aiming for 700,000 visitors this year, exceeding last year's target, but we'd like to aim for over 800,000." He also stated, "We want to upgrade the content. Considering that it will be held at night in the middle of winter, it will be difficult to extend the mapping time any further (last time it was 8-9 minutes). Instead, we will revamp the content." He also announced, "While we can't reveal the details yet, we have decided to build one of Japan's largest light sculptures." He then added, with a joking tone, "We hope you'll enjoy Universal Studios Japan during the day and then come and see our mapping at night." Osaka Governor Ichiro Matsui, who appeared at the start of the press conference, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "Osaka's tourism is weak in winter. I hope that the 3D mapping at Osaka Castle will serve as a catalyst for winter tourism. Our goal is to attract 3.2 million tourists this year, and if the 3D mapping is established, we expect to be able to attract 6 million by 2020." In addition to the 3D mapping and light sculptures at Osaka Castle, two other highlights include the "Big Blue Light," a field of blue light, and the "Jewel Illumination Show," a light and music show. The Jewel Illumination Show is particularly exciting, as it is a reproduction of the one held at Huis Ten Bosch. Osaka Castle will celebrate the 400th anniversary of the "Winter Siege of Osaka" and "Summer Siege of Osaka" respectively this year and next year, and the event will be titled "400 Years of the Siege of Osaka: The Greatest Light Art Festival in the World."


【Event Information】
Osaka Castle 3D Mapping Super Illumination
Location: Nishinomaru Garden, Osaka Castle
Address: 2 Osakajo, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Dates: December 13, 2014 to March 1, 2015
Time: 17:30 to 22:30 (18:00 to 22:30 from January 13 onwards)
Closed: Thursdays
Admission: Adults (junior high school students and above) 1,700 yen, Children (ages 4 to elementary school) 1,000 yen
*Regular tickets for certain days, including the New Year holidays and weekends, are 2,100 yen for adults and 1,300 yen for children.