Tokyo Skyline to Transform into Giant Pokémon TCG Arena

Pokémon Trading Card Game: TOKYO LUMINOUS NIGHT

The iconic silhouette of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is set to become the world’s largest trading card arena this spring.

On March 20, 2026, the Shinjuku landmark will host Pokémon Trading Card Game: TOKYO LUMINOUS NIGHT, a massive projection mapping spectacle celebrating three decades of the global phenomenon.

This installation is the latest evolution of the TOKYO Night & Light project, which recently broke attendance records with over 1.2 million spectators. By utilizing the 48-story Main Building No. 1 as a digital canvas, the city aims to solidify its top-tier ranking in global nightlife vitality.

The production is led by renowned media artist Synichi Yamamoto, the visionary behind the viral 3D Shinjuku Cat, alongside the creative unit alumni. Together, they have reimagined the flat, artistic world of Pokémon cards into a three-dimensional light show that pulses against the Shinjuku night sky.

Key Highlights of the Show

A 30-Year Celebration

The production serves as a centerpiece for the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), which launched in 1996. By integrating decades of archival card art with modern digital rendering, the show documents the evolution of the franchise's visual identity.

This milestone project marks a strategic collaboration between the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Pokémon TCG brand to celebrate the game's long-term cultural impact through high-resolution, large-scale media.

3D Card Dynamics

The exhibition utilizes the complex, dual-tower architecture of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Main Building No. 1 to achieve forced-perspective depth.

Unlike traditional flat-surface projections, the software is calibrated to the building's specific recessed windows and vertical columns.

This allows the digital assets to break the frame of the original 2D card designs, creating a three-dimensional illusion where Pokémon appear to interact with the physical structure of the skyscraper.

Opening Night Fan Experience

The official premiere on March 20, 2026, follows a strictly timed 30-minute itinerary beginning at 18:15. The program includes a technical countdown synchronized across the building's facade, followed by a live appearance by Pikachu and other franchise mascots.

This segment is categorized as a public outreach event, held at the Citizens’ Plaza, and is designed to facilitate community engagement ahead of the standard nightly rotation, which commences at 19:30.

Guinness World Record Setting

The TOKYO Night & Light project is officially recognized by Guinness World Records™ as the Largest permanent projection-mapped display currently in operation.

The display surface spans the eastern wall of the 48-story headquarters, utilizing high-lumen projector arrays powered by certified green electricity.

Viewing this specific Pokémon installation places spectators at a venue that currently leads global benchmarks for architectural projection technology.

Universal Appeal

In accordance with Tokyo’s tourism revitalization goals, the show features a non-verbal narrative structure. The storytelling is driven exclusively by a synchronized musical score and visual choreography, removing linguistic barriers for international visitors.

This design ensures that the technical content remains accessible to a diverse, multi-generational audience, regardless of their native language or prior familiarity with the Pokémon TCG mechanics.

Since its inception in February 2024, the TOKYO Night & Light project has transformed Shinjuku from a business district into a premier nighttime tourist destination.

According to recent data from the Mori Memorial Foundation, these efforts have helped Tokyo secure the #1 spot globally for Nightlife Vitality. This Pokémon collaboration marks a significant bridge between Japanese pop culture and urban infrastructure.

Pokémon Card Game TOKYO LUMINOUS NIGHT

Date: March 20, 2026
Location: Citizens’ Plaza (Tomin Hiroba), located directly in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.
Showtimes: 18:30, 19:30, and 21:00
Cost: Free of charge; no prior registration or tickets are required.
Official Website:https://tokyoprojectionmappingproject.jp
Sustainability: In line with Tokyo’s green initiatives, the entire display is powered by certified green electricity.
Information and photo source: PR Times