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Gifu, a city situated in central Japan, has brought its iconic castle to the metaverse, welcoming global visitors to explore it virtually.
The virtual experience faithfully recreates Gifu Castle, historically associated with Nobunaga Oda, a prominent figure in Japan’s military history. Perched atop Mount Kinka, the castle overlooks the city, alongside the public park — Gifu Park — at the mountain’s base.
The “Gifu Castle” metaverse experience, launched recently, is accessible through the official Gifu website and within the popular gaming platform Fortnite, in its Build Mode.
Visitors can navigate through the castle grounds, interacting with characters and delving into historical insights.
The main objective behind this endeavor is to inspire real-world visits following the virtual experience.
This initiative follows a trend of using Web3 technologies to boost tourism. Recently, Wales made headlines as the first UK nation to venture into the metaverse, leveraging virtual experiences to showcase real-world attractions.
Similarly, in February, Japan Airlines collaborated with innovation firm Hakuhodo to launch NFT applications, transforming local experiences into digital assets. The aim was to revive regional tourism and enhance visitor engagement.
Tourism, alongside sectors like fashion and sports, stands to benefit significantly from emerging Web3 technologies. The ability to transcend physical barriers, coupled with the opportunity to foster online communities with exclusive perks, has proven effective in driving tourism promotion.
According to Technavio, the metaverse market size in travel and tourism industry is expected to be valued at $188.24 billion in 2026.
