“Bringing Regional Attractions to the World” — Showcasing Japan’s Cultural Depth through Immersive Virtual Travel
Excerpt
SeiRogai, Inc., a Tokyo-based creative technology startup, is redefining regional tourism through its Global Virtual Travel (GVT) platform. In collaboration with Tama City, and supported by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the immersive VR360° tourism DX project featuring the Tama City VR Tour also engaged key cultural institutions including the Tokyo Metropolitan Archaeological Center, Haseko Mansion Museum, and Parthenon Tama Museum, ensuring the region’s authentic attractions were faithfully represented.
The project demonstrated how immersive storytelling can transform tourism engagement: 95% of participants reported a stronger desire to visit Tama City, and 82% gained a deeper understanding of its history and culture. By combining cinematic VR, multilingual narration, and integrated e-commerce features, SeiRogai created a new model linking virtual discovery to real-world travel.
Recognized as a leading example of public–private innovation, this initiative highlights the potential of SeiRogai’s platform to bring local heritage to global audiences, inspiring future applications in museums, cultural facilities, and regional governments worldwide — driving sustainable tourism, educational engagement, and digital transformation.
Through SeiRogai’s cutting-edge VR360° production and GVT global platform, Tama City’s history, lifestyle, and culture come alive in an immersive virtual tour — connecting local heritage to global audiences.
Overview: A New Model for Regional Tourism DX
SeiRogai, Inc is redefining how regional destinations connect with the world through its Global Virtual Travel (GVT) platform. In partnership with Tama City, and supported by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, SeiRogai developed an immersive VR360° tourism DX project that brought the city’s history, culture, and community life to global audiences.
This achievement was realized through collaboration with key cultural institutions including the Tokyo Metropolitan Archaeological Center, Haseko Mansion Museum, and Parthenon Tama Museum, making the project a successful case of Tourism DX that delivers authentic regional experiences virtually.
The project demonstrated that immersive storytelling can inspire real-world engagement:
- 95% of participants expressed a desire to visit Tama City.
- 82% reported a deeper understanding of the city’s history and culture.
- 90% explored related websites after the VR experience.
SeiRogai COO and Co-Founder presenting the results of the successful Tama City VR Tour Project on Global Virtual Travel to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government officials as part of the PoC Ground Tokyo Initiative.
More information: Results Presentation by 20 Selected Startups (PoC Ground Tokyo Homepage / February 13, 2025)
https://poc-ground.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/event/2024final/
Challenge: Unlocking Tama City’s Untapped Tourism Potential
Tama City, while rich in cultural assets and natural beauty, faced common challenges in attracting broader tourism:
- Dependence on Sanrio Puroland visitors, with limited exploration of other attractions
- Low visibility of the city’s historical and cultural richness
- Limited use of interactive or immersive digital tools
- Short visitor stays, resulting in minimal economic impact for local businesses
- Fragmented communication between public and private sectors
Recognizing these barriers, the city partnered with SeiRogai to reframe local resources and create an innovative digital storytelling solution.
The Global Virtual Travel page introducing Tama City VR Tour to audiences worldwide.
SeiRogai’s Approach: Designing the Tourism DX Model
SeiRogai acted as a strategic creative and media technology partner, leveraging expertise in VR production, digital strategy, and global content distribution.
Key initiatives included:
1. Story-Centered Experience Design
A cohesive narrative, “A Journey Across Time and Space,” integrated Tama City’s urban development, history, and lifestyle into an emotionally engaging VR experience.
2. Multilingual VR360° Production
High-quality 360°and drone filming captured immersive views of museums, parks, and daily life. Multilingual narration and an English-speaking guide expanded reach to domestic and international audiences.
3. Global Distribution via GVT Platform
SeiRogai’s Global Virtual Travel (GVT) platform enabled worldwide streaming, allowing viewers to experience Tama City virtually and driving global awareness.
4. Public–Private Collaboration
The project engaged multiple stakeholders, including local museums and cultural institutions, creating a unified Tourism DX model that connected virtual exploration to real-world visits and bookings.
Tama City VR Tour Flyer: “Experience Tama City Like Never Before — A Journey Across Time, Culture, and Innovation.”
Outcomes: Measurable Impact and Recognition
1.Driving Tourism Engagement
- 95% of VR participants reported increased desire to visit Tama City.
- 82% reported a deeper understanding of local culture and history.
- 90% visited related websites after the VR experience.
These results validate immersive VR as an effective pre-travel engagement tool.
2. Technological Innovation
- Patent-pending interactive VR technology enables reservations and purchases directly in the VR environment.
- Integration of cross-border e-commerce links virtual exploration with local product purchases, creating new business opportunities.
- GVT serves as a global platform for regional storytelling, allowing international audiences to explore local heritage.
3. Public–Private Collaboration and Regional Revitalization
- Partnered with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tama City Hall and cultural institutions (Tokyo Metropolitan Archaeological Center, Haseko Mansion Museum, and Parthenon Tama) to extend VR content into real-world travel products.
- Museums and heritage sites leveraged VR experiences to attract visitors, demonstrating digital-to-physical engagement.
4. Inclusive and Sustainable Tourism
- Accessible to elderly, people with disabilities, and overseas audiences
- Digitally archives cultural and historical assets for future generations
- Scalable for deployment across Japan and internationally
SeiRogai collaborated with Tama City and engaged key cultural institutions including the Tokyo Metropolitan Archaeological Center, Haseko Mansion Museum, and Parthenon Tama Museum.
Voices of Endorsement
Mayor Hiroyuki Abe of Tama City personally experienced the VR tour and shared his thoughts:
“This tour allows inbound tourists not only to visit popular spots such as Sanrio Puroland but also to explore Tama Center, visit the museums, art galleries, and parks of Tama New Town, and experience the vibrant culture and daily life showcased in the videos. I believe it is an unprecedented and excellent form of tourism guidance.”
SeiRogai and Global Virtual Travel Co-Founders (Left: Rachel Leng; Right: Samuel Yuen) and Tama City Mayor Hiroyuki Abe (Center). The mayor’s endorsement highlights the project’s dual value: technological innovation and cultural storytelling, confirming that VR can serve as a bridge between heritage, education, and tourism, while inspiring real-world engagement.
Source： Tama City Landmarks Featured in VR (Town News / August 22, 2024)
https://www.townnews.co.jp/0306/2024/08/22/747559.html
SeiRogai was one of only 8 startups selected by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government as part of the PoC Ground Tokyo initiative to develop the new business model utilizing Global Virtual Travel as a pioneering DX Tourism Model combining VR storytelling, platform analytics, and e-commerce integration,
Future Prospects: Expanding the GVT Ecosystem
This tourism DX pilot that utilizes cutting-edge VR360°technology to rediscover and share the diverse appeal of Tama City — including its history, culture, daily life, and natural environment. More than just video production, it is a socially implemented initiative that scientifically examines how immersive experiences can drive real-world action. The project brought together local government, businesses, and citizens to collaboratively envision the future of the region.
Building on Tama City’s success, SeiRogai aims to extend its VR Tourism DX model to:
- Museums and cultural facilities seeking global engagement
- Regional governments and tourism boards promoting economic revitalization
- Educational institutions offering immersive learning experiences
By combining VR storytelling, platform analytics, and e-commerce integration, SeiRogai is creating a next-generation model for sustainable, borderless tourism and cultural engagement.
Media Exposure and Recognition
Media Exposure and Recognition
The project has been featured extensively, which reinforces SeiRogai’s reputation as a leader in Tourism DX innovation.
- Official websites: Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tama City
- Media outlets: PR TIMES, PressWalker, Town News, etc.
- Industry publications: Showcasing VR360°technology applied to regional revitalization
Relevant Company Articles for Further Reading
- SeiRogai Selected for the Tama Innovation Ecosystem Promotion Project
- SeiRogai & Keio Travel Launch VR Tour in Tokyo’s Tama Region
- SeiRogai Selected for Tama Innovation Ecosystem “Leading Project”
About “Global Virtual Travel”: A DX Service Utilizing Patent-Pending VR Technology
SeiRogai’s virtual tour platform, Global Virtual Travel, presents an unparalleled opportunity for international audiences to uncover Japan’s hidden gems.
Global Virtual Travel is your gateway to immersive tours that prioritize storytelling and educational enrichment. Through captivating virtual experiences impossible to replicate with traditional video tours, we aim to showcase Japan’s allure to a global audience.
Sign up for free today and start exploring with Global Virtual Travel!
About SeiRogai, Inc.
SeiRogai is a Tokyo-based startup specializing in media production, advertising, branding, media technology, and business consultancy. Renowned for its diverse one-stop media production services, the company also offers strategic consulting services to businesses of all sizes. The team at SeiRogai, comprising seasoned experts from various industries, provides clients with a comprehensive perspective on their unique needs.
SeiRogai was selected as one of the top 15 companies among Tokyo’s selection of “Next Unicorn” startups by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The firm continues to lead in media technology solutions with innovative ventures like SeiRogaiTV and Global Virtual Travel to redefine the landscape of immersive experiences.
Company Profile
Company Name: SeiRogai, Inc.
Head office: Roppongi Denki Building 5F, 6-1-20 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan, 106-0032
Representative Directors: Samuel Yuen, Rachel Leng
Establishment: 2019
Website: www.seirogai.com/
Business Activities:
1. Media production services (including VR 360° technology)
2. Marketing, advertising, PR, branding (including marketing planning/strategy formulation, brand development, image planning, product design, etc.)
3. Online distribution services for TV programs and movies
4. Overseas expansion support services (specialized services including market research, overseas expansion strategy/overseas market development support, startup support, etc.)
5. Development, construction, and provision of VR distribution systems and DX digital platforms
Reference Links
GVT Platform
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government → Tama City: https://www.globalvirtualtravel.com/ja/japan/tokyo/tama/
PoC Related
- Results Presentation by 20 Selected Startups (PoC Ground Tokyo Homepage / February 13, 2025): https://poc-ground.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/event/2024final/
- Press Release on the Selection of the First-Phase Projects for FY2023–2024 PoC Ground Tokyo (Tokyo Metropolitan Government Homepage / November 14, 2023): https://www.spt.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/tosei/hodohappyo/press/2023/11/14/11.html
- Announcement of Selected Projects for FY2023 PoC Ground Tokyo (PoC Ground Tokyo Homepage / November 14, 2023): https://poc-ground.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/report/report-2023-poc-ground-tokyo-result/
- The selected projects for the first phase (FY2023 recruitment) of the program to promote the rapid growth of startups, “Tokyo Metropolitan Government Startup Social Implementation Promotion Program,” have been decided. (PRTIMES / November 14, 2023): https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000111.000057654.html
Tama Region Related
- Announcement of Selection for the FY2025 Tama Innovation Ecosystem ‘Leading Project’ (Tama Innovation Ecosystem Website / July 23, 2025): https://tama-innovation-ecosystem.jp/info/community/4800/
- Efforts to promote innovation creation in the Tama region—Leading Project selected (Tokyo Metropolitan Government Homepage / July 23, 2025): https://www.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/information/press/2025/07/2025072305
- From Tama City to the world: SeiRogai announces two years of achievements from the “PoC Ground Tokyo” project (PressWalker / July 11, 2025): https://presswalker.jp/press/81460
- Revolutionizing tourism through VR experiences and e-commerce: immersive virtual tours create the desire to travel as a next-generation DX model (J-GoodTech Headline / July 11, 2025): https://jgoodtech3.smrj.go.jp/press/jgt190979
- SeiRogai selected for the Tama Innovation Ecosystem Promotion Project “Business Ideas for Solving Regional Issues in the Tama Area,” introduced at the 2nd “Tama Mirai Industry Fair” (PressWalker / January 15, 2025): https://presswalker.jp/press/65090
- Official release of Tama City VR360° Virtual Tour (PressWalker / December 23, 2024): https://presswalker.jp/press/63645
- Tama City Landmarks Featured in VR (Town News / August 22, 2024): https://www.townnews.co.jp/0306/2024/08/22/747559.html
- Tama City VR360° Virtual Tour (Tama City Official Website / July 26, 2024): https://www.city.tama.lg.jp/kanko/1015690/1016142/1015579.html
- Promoting tourism through VR! Demonstration experiments conducted under Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s PoC Ground Tokyo revealed the hidden advantages of virtual tours (PressWalker / May 31, 2024): https://presswalker.jp/press/44638
- Hosted by Bornrex: “Tama Tech,” an event where visitors can experience cutting-edge technology in Tama City, held on October 21 (Sat)–22 (Sun), 2023 (PR TIMES / September 21, 2023): https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000109.000057654.html
- For government officials and tourism operators: Case studies on the use of VR tours for regional revitalization (Tokyo Upgrade Square → Event Information / October 12, 2022): https://upgrade-square.jp/event/comfirm/101
