Japan Cultural Expo VIRTUAL PLATFORM

Japan Cultural Expo VIRTUAL PLATFORM will be launched on Tuesday, August 17. The project will combine “real” experiences at physical venues and “virtual” experiences through online digital content, promoting these within Japan and beyond.

Japan Cultural Expo VIRTUAL PLATFORM will be launched on a trial basis to promote a new style of activities in the cultural arts. Using video, VR, images and more, digital content will be used to showcase the beauty of Japan; from the prehistoric Jomon period to the present day.

■Background and Objective

〇 A new way of promoting cultural arts combining “real” and “virtual” experiences

Various projects at the Japan Cultural Expo were carried out in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, with stringent countermeasures in place. Some were postponed, partially scaled down, or were forced to limit admissions. Despite the expectations of the organizers, who hoped to welcome visitors from around the world to enjoy real experiences at physical venues, the situation continues to be difficult due to the pandemic.

Given this unprecedented situation, the Japan Cultural Expo hopes to make digital content (video, VR, images, etc.) available to be enjoyed by those who are unable to visit physical venues. It also hopes that many people can visit in person once the pandemic is under control, and that people can feel human connection, excitement, and joy through real experiences.

Japan Cultural Expo VIRTUAL PLATFORM will promote the events of the Japan Cultural Expo held across Japan, as well as promoting digital content in the virtual world, to allow everyone in Japan and beyond to experience the beauty of Japan. As a new form of cultural arts, it will aim to serve as a platform that will be a legacy for future creative activities.

■Overview

〇 Experience the beauty of Japan from prehistoric times to the present in a virtual space

Japan Cultural Expo VIRTUAL PLATFORM will be held to allow people who are unable to visit physical venues of the Japan Cultural Expo, to experience its art exhibitions, performing arts, nature, and art festivals in the virtual world, utilizing video, VR, and images.

While connecting the physical projects of the Japan Cultural Expo online, content will be posted in English and Japanese, building an interactive virtual space that is accessible from Japan and overseas. The content will include exhibitions of cultural properties from the Jomon period (13,000 – 500 BC), Buddhist statues and other forms of sculpture, ukiyoe woodblock prints, kōgei (Japanese art crafts), kimono, contemporary art, fashion, manga, and anime. There will also be a showcase of the traditional performing arts of kabuki, noh, kyogen, and bunraku, as well as contemporary performing arts, art festivals, Ainu culture, and various hands-on projects for cultural properties.

〇 Further attractive images and features will be available later this autumn

The trial launch in August will include 45 projects from the past and present, and 240 digital contents. Online tours and streaming of upcoming projects and stage performances will also follow sequentially.

From autumn onward, the platform will be expanded as a space where nature and city of Japan, portrayed in three-dimensional computer graphics, can coexist in harmony. Additionally, a feature for enabling interactive communication between organizers and viewers will be enhanced, which will allow viewers to participate in livestreaming as avatars.

Please contact below for any queries.

Japan Cultural Expo PR Office
TEL: 080-7092-2070 (Japanese only) / E-Mail: press@japanculturalexpo.jp
Office hours: 9:30AM – 5:30PM (except weekends and national holidays)