With our deepest thanks to all frontline and
essential workers in the fight against Covid-19.
Let’s create a better future together.
Short Film
Enjoy remotely
Tokyo Michiterasu 2020/ Message Movie
For those who can’t visit in person, we offer a special movie through Tokyo Michiterasu 2020’s official website. It features five short stories told by art calligraphy animals in Tokyo Station Marunouchi Station Square and on Gyoko-dori Street. Please enjoy how the dark world changes with the light of hope.
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Available from 12:00,
Thursday, December 10Read the message
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Available from 12:00,
Monday, December 14Read the message
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Available from 12:00,
Thursday, December 17Read the message
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Available from 12:00,
Monday, December 21Read the message
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Available from 12:00,
Thursday, December 24Read the message
Why Tokyo Michiterasu 2020?
Surrounding Tokyo Station, we find a city with many different characteristics, where history, the future and culture meet. The area continues to evolve as a unique city where history, tradition, culture, science, business, and innovation blend together dynamically and also form a hub that not only connects Tokyo and Japan, but also Japan and the world.
Since Tokyo Millenario was first held in 1999, this light and illumination event has become the area’s winter tradition. This year, we will hold Tokyo Michiterasu 2020, with the wish of lighting the way to the future: Michi (unknown) and terasu (light). Our way of life is changing due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We hope to deliver a message of support and thanks to the people who are working towards the new era (the “new normal”) from the heart of Japan.
Event Details
- The name of the event
- Tokyo Michiterasu 2020
- Opening period
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Thursday, December 10 - Friday, December 25, 2020
3:00 pm ~ 9:00pm
*Some of the online content is scheduled to be available until Thursday, December 31. AR is available both daytime and nighttime at the venue.
- The venue
- Tokyo Station Marunouchi Station Square, Gyoko-dori Street
- The hosts (in no particular order)
- East Japan Railway Company Tokyo Branch and Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.
- Other sponsors (in no particular order)
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; Chiyoda Ward; The Chiyoda City Tourism Association; The Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Tokyo International Forum Co., Ltd.; The Council for Area Development and Management of Otemachi, Marunouchi, and Yurakucho.
The opening and contents are current as of December 1. They are subject to change.
To Visitors
For the safety of yourself and others
Thank you for your cooperation.
Featured Artworks

A concept image of people viewing the artworks in Tokyo Station Square at night
A swan made using art calligraphy expresses “gratitude” and “encouragement”.

A concept image of people viewing the artworks in Gyoko-dori Street at night
How to Experience AR
Enjoy On-site
Tokyo Michiterasu 2020 /
AR Calligraphy
On Gyoko-dori Street and in Tokyo Station’s Marunouchi Square, we will display large and small art calligraphy pieces which you can experience with AR as well as via normal viewing. You can enjoy taking AR photos of the scenery that will then be overlayed with art calligraphy and messages by reading the QR code with your smartphone. The trees in Gyoko-dori Street will be lit up in conjunction with Marunouchi Illumination 2020.
What is AR?
Augmented Reality (AR) is an enhanced version of the real physical world, achieved by rendering digital information onto real-world objects.
What is Art Calligraphy?
Art Calligraphy expresses words graphically by combining design with calligraphy. It is an art style which was developed in western and middle-eastern countries.

A concept image of the AR experience at Gyoko-dori Street in the daytime

A concept image of the AR experience in Tokyo Station Square at night

A concept image of the AR experience in Wadakura Fountain Park at night
After scanning the AR marker in Gyoko-dori, take a little side trip to Wadakura Fountain Park to take some nice AR photos there too.
AR at Home
Enjoy AR Calligraphy at Home
Take photos and post your favorites on social media with the hashtag #michiterasu
How to Experience AR
- If you are on your PC
- 1. Start the camera on your smartphone
- 2. Scan the QR code (AR marker)
- 3. Take a photo with the AR Calligraphy
- 4. Choose a message to add and save the photo
- If you are on your smartphone
- 1. Tap the button below to start the camera
- 2. Take a photo with the AR Calligraphy
- 3. Choose a message to add and save the photo
*Please activate the GPS service on your browser/camera to experience AR.
*Supported OS: iOS 12 and up; Android 5.5 and up
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An image of the AR experience at home
(bear) -
An image of the AR experience at home
(rabbit)
Artists
Creative Direction
Ryuji Tsuyama
Tsuyama is a creator who produces “joy and excitement” by combining location, story and technology. He designs this new normal illumination as “scenery messages” that you can enjoy on-site and remotely. In the center of metropolitan Tokyo, he creates beautiful moments with heart-warming messages delivered by lit-up art calligraphy animals.

Art Calligraphy
Yoko Fraktur
× Kazuki Kumono
fRAum, a design duo who are gaining popularity both inside and out of Japan today, is made up of Yoko Fraktur, an art calligrapher and Kazuki Kumono, an art director and space designer. fRAum produces a wide range of art and seeks to bring out the intrinsic value and potential of art calligraphy in space and products. In this event, they will display their new work, “Swan”, which is made of messages of “gratitude” and “encouragement” to people who fight against the pandemic.
Art Calligraphy pieces
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Swan (Gratitude)
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Swan (Encouragement)
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Squirrel
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Whale
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Wolf
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Owl
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Deer
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Dog
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Ostrich
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Wildebeest
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Bear
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Rabbit
Filmmaker
Seven Shuffles is an independent creative agency based in London.
It expands its business in Japan and overseas by designing unconventional visual communication with global creativity and a diversified approach. In this event, the agency works on video production.
