Studio Chizu Unveils Teaser Trailer for Mamoru Hosoda’s New Film, “BELLE”
Today, we were given the first look at Mamoru Hosoda’s upcoming film, BELLE (in Japanese: 『竜とそばかすの姫』Ryū to sobakasu no hime), with a 30-second teaser. Following…
Virtual Reality
Japanese grandma is moved by her first VR experience
Virtual reality (VR) is a technology that allows you to experience a virtual space by wearing special goggles. As this technology is continuously improved upon,…
Japan’s first international VR film festival “Beyond The Frame Festival”
As VR devices become increasingly accessible to the general public, so have experimentations in film specialized for this emerging medium. If you’re interested in VR…
Stuck-at-home travelers turn to virtual trips during the summer months of the pandemic
The ongoing pandemic has changed the landscape in Japan. While certainly not alone, the country has seen a dramatic change in the industries that keep…
Being Bishōjo: A dialogue between independent Vtuber Virtual Bishōjo Nem & kigurumi artist Takurō
Introduction As readers of grape Japan can surely attest to, the kawaii aesthetic has become an internationally recognized commodity. But where does kawaii come from?…
Tired of Zoom Happy Hour? Meet virtually at Roppongi bar’s VR outpost awabar.vr on ambr
If you’ve lived in Tokyo for a while, you may know about awabar, a friendly little standing style bar in Tokyo’s entertainment district of Roppongi….
Relax In An Onsen From Home With VR
Finding the time and place to relax is proving to be one of life’s more difficult achievements, especially recently. With the constant dark cloud of…
Miss Going Out? Why Not Take a Stroll Through the Virtual Market?
How many weeks has it been now, stuck inside while under Coronavirus lockdown? For us folks in Japan, we’ve been under some level of lockdown…
Chance to rent VR equipment free for 60 days through HTC’s VIVE Ambassador program in Japan
Physically restricted but virtually free Whether imposed by force of law or encouraged through strong suggestion, people around the world are practicing self-isolation during the…
Yumenographia VR hostess cafe now lets you join without VR gear through “desktop mode”
With people around the world stuck at home due to the pandemic, many of those who have VR gear now have more time to explore…
Elaborate Desserts Come Alive with AR Magic and VR Tarot Game at Enchanting New Cafe in Tokyo
Tokyo is chock full of cute and stylish cafes where dessert-lovers can pick up sweet treats and while away the hours. In order to stand…
VR Ninja Training Dojo Opens Up In Tokyo
Whether it be through an appeal to fandom of popular anime or simply a love of old school films, Japan boasts quite a few ninja-themed…
8K VR Interactive Drama “Hanabi” Lets You Imagine Living With An Android Girl
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, VR content production company Vision VR’s Studio TWO TOKKI is offering a new interactive movie experience for PSVR owners…
We Attended Virtual Singer YuNi’s First Live VR Concert And Were Blown Away [Video]
Virtual Singer YuNi Virtual YouTuber and singer YuNi, whom we had the pleasure of interviewing last year, has seen her channel steadily climbing the ranks,…
Osaka World Expo Targets 8 Billion Visitors — Thanks to Virtual Reality Technology
by Yuya Hosoda The city of Osaka’s dream for the 2025 World Expo is to use cutting-edge technologies, such as virtual reality (VR), to welcome…