Contestants are required to sit quietly for 90 minutes. Any behavior deemed to be “not zoning out”—such as using a smartphone, sleeping, talking, or laughing— will result in disqualification.
The winner is determined by two criteria. One is audience voting (artistic score), with votes going to the participant who appears to be zoning out the most visually. The other is changes in heart rate measured every 15 minutes (technical score).
This competition format began in South Korea in 2014 and has since spread both domestically and internationally. It was first held in Japan in 2023, and this marks its fourth edition.
The theme of the competition is “Redefining Luxury.”
With the spread of social media and generative AI, an environment where people are constantly connected to information—whether commuting or eating—has become the norm. The organizers argue that, in this context, people need to consciously set aside “time to do nothing” in order to process their emotions and restore their creativity.
You’ll likely come to realize firsthand just how rare the value of time spent doing absolutely nothing is in today’s world—more so than luxury shopping or special experiences.
The 4th TOKYO Daydreaming Competition
📅November 3, 2026 (Tuesday, a national holiday)
📍Ark Hills, Ark Karajan Plaza
📝 The application period runs from 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 10, through Thursday, October 8.
