The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) has announced the launch of “Hello! Tokyo Friends,” a new metaverse experience on the Roblox platform designed to showcase Tokyo’s appeal as a tourist-friendly destination.
This initiative is part of TMG’s broader campaign to harness metaverse and mixed reality technologies to boost tourism in the region.
The metaverse space offers users interactive activities such as a treasure hunt, where participants can uncover hidden treasures throughout the virtual city. Additionally, users can engage in the “Sushi Showdown” mini-game, a survival challenge set in popular Tokyo tourist spots featuring conveyor-belt sushi restaurants.
Apart from the gaming aspect, the metaverse experience also serves as an informational hub. Users can access in-depth details about Tokyo’s key sightseeing spots through information boards within the virtual environment.
In tandem with the metaverse initiative, TMG is rolling out a mixed-reality app reminiscent of Pokemon Go. The app features nine checkpoints in Tokyo, and as users visit these locations, they can complete missions to earn “emblems.” Collecting three emblems entitles users to receive a rare Roblox item as a gift.
This move is part of Japan’s broader embrace of Web3 technologies for tourism enhancement. Back in 2022, the country announced plans to invest in digital transformation initiatives involving non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and the metaverse.
As part of this trend, for instance, Japan Airlines recently collaborated with Hakuhodo to create NFT applications, converting local experiences into digital assets, with the goal of revitalizing regional tourism and enhancing visitor engagement.
