The AR tourism project “Okinawa 2Go!”, combining AR technology with anime tourism in Okinawa has officially launched. This marks a significant milestone in applying AR technology to local tourism in Japan.
More than just a technology product, the project represents a practical example of a new approach that integrates digital entertainment content with real-world travel experiences. By combining AR technology with tourism, the initiative aims to create more engaging experiences for visitors while contributing to the revitalization of local tourism.
“Okinawa 2Go!” – AR Anime Tourism for Local Destinations
The Omotenashi ICT Association, in collaboration with Uruma City in Okinawa Prefecture, has introduced a 3D AR pilgrimage experience based on the TV anime OKITSURA: Fell in Love with an Okinawan Girl, but I Just Wish I Know What She’s Saying. The AR content has been implemented in the tourism application “Okinawa 2Go!”.
“Okinawa 2Go!” uses Niantic’s ARDK (Augmented Reality Development Kit), a widely used AR platform for large-scale augmented reality applications worldwide. Through this technology, users can interact with anime characters and scenes at real-world locations across Okinawa.
Through this technology, visitors can experience an additional digital layer over real-world environments. This creates a unique tourism experience that goes beyond what traditional travel applications typically offer.
The core objective of the project “Okinawa 2Go!” is to extend the world of anime into real-world tourism experiences and promote local economic activity through the anime tourism model. This approaching has been gaining increasing attention in Japan’s regional tourism development strategies in recent years.
“Okinawa 2Go!” is now available for download and can be experienced directly by users. Visitors traveling to Okinawa can explore real-life locations featured in the anime through a “seichi junrei” (anime pilgrimage) experience. At each location, users can interact with AR content and take commemorative photos on site, allowing them to engage with the anime’s world in a memorable way.
Miichisoft’s Role in the Project
In this project, Miichisoft participated as a member of the Omotenashi ICT Association, contributing to the development alongside partners including Ashibi Company Co., Ltd., SoftBank Group Corp., and ESPAS Communications Co., Ltd.
The collaboration among organizations with expertise in AR development, telecommunications infrastructure, and local content operations played a key role in the successful implementation of the project.
Miichisoft is proud to contribute its AR technology expertise to a project that supports regional tourism initiatives. Looking ahead, AR-powered tourism experiences present strong potential for further development, especially as themed tourism continues to grow in Japan and across other Asian markets.
“Okinawa 2Go!” is expected to expand to additional locations in the future, further exploring the potential of combining digital content with real-world tourism experiences.
🔗 Learn more: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000094.000062459.html
