Turning “Experience” into “Visitation” and “Purchasing”—Creating the Future of Craft Industries Through Digital Tourism
Connecting Japan’s Traditional Crafts to the World Through Digital Innovation
SeiRogai, Inc. (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Founders: Samuel Yuen and Rachel Leng) has launched a new Tourism DX initiative in collaboration with Kataoka Byobu Store Co., Ltd., a long-established traditional folding screen maker in Sumida Ward, Tokyo.
By combining immersive VR tours with multilingual digital marketing, the project brings the charm of traditional craftsmanship to global audiences—supporting inbound tourism while expanding future cross-border e-commerce opportunities.
This collaboration has been selected for the Sumida Ward Prototype Proof-of-Concept Support Program, representing a pioneering example of regional DX driven by cooperation between local government and industry.
Full press release (Japanese): https://presswalker.jp/press/97123
Background: Traditional Crafts Struggle With “Visibility”
Despite their artistic and cultural value, traditional crafts face several ongoing challenges:
- Workshops are located outside mainstream tourist routes, making it difficult to attract spontaneous visitors
- High-value products require in-person appreciation, yet lack online sales channels
- Limited multilingual communication for international visitors and younger audiences
- Insufficient digital marketing and EC sales funnels
Although Sumida Ward is known as a “city of craftsmanship,” collaboration between tourism, manufacturing, and retail sectors remains underdeveloped. As a result, tourism DX enabling digital access to workshops is now a key driver of regional industrial revitalization.
Project Overview: The Kataoka Byobu Store × SeiRogai Collaboration
This initiative highlights Kataoka Byobu Store Co., Ltd., founded in 1946. SeiRogai deploys its tourism DX platform, Global Virtual Travel, to create a 360° VR experience of the workshop and showroom.
The project features:
- Immersive VR tours showcasing production processes and craftsmanship
- Narration and subtitles in Japanese, English, and Chinese for global audiences
- A direct pathway from VR viewing to online product browsing and inquiries
Future platform upgrades will integrate cross-border e-commerce, building a seamless customer journey—from online experience to workshop visitation, leading naturally to purchase.
Benefits for Partner Craft Businesses
1. A 24/7 Global “Digital Showroom”
Accessible anytime from anywhere, the VR tour functions as an always-open workshop—even outside business hours.
2. Multilingual Customer Engagement Without Additional Staff
Narration and subtitles serve as a digital guide, empowering visitors to learn beforehand and increasing their purchase intent when visiting in person.
3. Storytelling That Builds Brand Value and Drives Long-Term Sales
VR conveys not just the products but the heritage, craftsmanship, and cultural story behind them—supporting international brand-building and future EC growth.
SeiRogai’s Technology and Role
SeiRogai utilizes its proprietary “VR x Storytelling x EC” technology (patent pending) to provide fully integrated support:
- VR filming and editing
- Multilingual UI/UX development
- Data analytics (views, click-through rates, reservation conversions, etc.)
- Public relations and marketing support
This transforms digital viewing into in-person visits and purchases, creating a sustainable and scalable Tourism DX model.
Track Record in Regional DX and Global Marketing
SeiRogai has developed extensive experience in Tourism DX and overseas market development:
・Selected as a JETRO Cross-Border EC Support Partner and certified as a Japan SME Global Expansion Partner
・Conducted VR collaborations with Minato City, Fuchu City, Tama City, Nanto City, and other local governments and regional businesses
・Appointed for Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s PoC Ground Tokyo and Tama Innovation Ecosystem Leading Projects
On its Global Virtual Travel platform, SeiRogai has achieved:
- 12.6% average click-through rate
- Over 5% conversion rate from viewing to visitation
These achievements and data insights will now be applied to Japan’s traditional craft industry, supporting a nationwide DX model.
Social Impact and Future Vision
The project aims beyond sales growth, contributing to:
- Cultural preservation and training of future artisans
- Use of VR content as educational archives for schools and museums
- Increased regional tourism impact through linkage with popular destinations such as Tokyo Skytree and Asakusa
SeiRogai envisions expanding the model to other major craft regions such as Kyoto, Kanazawa, and Niigata, supporting digital transformation and global expansion of Japan’s craft industries.
For SeiRogai: Expanding From “Tourism DX” to “Industry DX”
This initiative marks a key milestone for SeiRogai: expanding its scope from Tourism DX to the modernization of traditional industries. Through B2B collaboration with local workshops, SeiRogai aims to evolve its platform into a national DX infrastructure connecting tourism and manufacturing.
Comments from Project Partners
SeiRogai Inc. CEO’s Comment
“Traditional crafts represent the heart of Japanese culture, yet many people can only appreciate their true value by visiting the workshop.
By combining VR, EC, and multilingual digital storytelling, we enable audiences around the world to ‘experience before visiting,’ leading naturally to tourism and purchasing.
We are honored to collaborate with Kataoka Byobu Store Co., Ltd. and Sumida Ward, and together, we hope to build a model that connects local workshops to the world and supports the future of traditional industries.”
Kataoka Byobu Store Co., Ltd. CEO, Kouto Kataoka
“We are one of the few companies dedicated exclusively to folding screens, and today, we are the only specialized byobu workshop remaining in Tokyo.
The decline in demand is not the only challenge—many people do not even know such workshops still exist.
Awareness leads to interest, and interest leads to purchase. We hope that this project will broaden our reach both in Japan and overseas and help introduce our craft to a new generation.”
Participation at SIC 2nd Anniversary Event
SeiRogai’s founders participated in the Sumida Innovation Core (SIC) 2nd Anniversary Event held on November 10. The official report, “SUMIDA INNOVATION CORE: Co-Creation Chronicle 2025,” features this collaboration as a model case of co-creation between startups and local manufacturers.
(https://sic-sumida.net/news/2025/11/10/sic_report_2025/)
Kataoka Byobu Store Co., Ltd. – Company Profile
Location: 1-31-6 Mukojima, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Representative Director: Kouto Kataoka
Business Activities:
・Production and sales of folding screens (Byobu)
・Workshop tours and hands-on craft experiences
・Showroom management
・E-commerce sales
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
