#Japan #Rice Flour #Komé #Mihama #Kokoterrace

A New Approach to Food Education: VR Meets Rice Flour

On December 22, 2025, at the shopping center "Pine" in Mihama, Mie Prefecture, a remarkable event was held by the general incorporated association Kokoterrace. This initiative was part of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' program aimed at expanding rice and rice flour consumption. Harnessing the power of the metaverse, specifically the VR space "Virtual Oroshi," children and their families participated in an immersive VR experience focused on the knowledge of rice flour and its production process.

Raising Awareness through Immersion

The event attracted numerous families, who engaged with VR games that seamlessly transitioned into educational experiences about rice flour production. This innovative educational model was designed to bridge the gap between awareness and actual consumption, ultimately motivating the participants towards trying rice flour-based products.

Understanding the Production Process

Children learned about the rice supply chain through engaging activities within the VRChat environment. They participated in experiences such as virtual rice planting, operating milling machines, and creating rice flour bread, all while enjoying the sense of play typically associated with gaming. Through this interactive format, participants grasped essential facts:

• - Growing rice involves various labor-intensive processes from planting to harvesting.
• - The transformation of harvested rice grains into rice flour through milling.
• - The connection between rice flour and the ingredients used in the bread and cookies they enjoy.

Feedback from attendees indicated that this format of engaging entertainment had effectively opened doors to food education. Many expressed surprise and excitement upon realizing where their favorite treats originated—one participant even noted, "I didn’t know bread came from rice!"

Creating a Taste for Knowledge

After the VR experience, participants sampled cookies made with local rice flour. The contextual connection created by combining the learning of rice flour production with tasting sessions elevated children’s interest. They didn’t just focus on the flavor; many made comments about the unique texture, highlighting their newfound appreciation for rice's characteristics.

Stimulating Community Interest

The VR experience also digitally recreated the stunning landscapes of the Oroshi area in Mihama. Parents echoed a newfound curiosity towards this beautiful location, which suggests that the event spurred interest in both rice flour and local tourism. By promoting rice flour, this initiative has potential implications for regional tourism and settlement, as it connects educational content with authentic local experience.

Future Developments

With the positive outcomes from this event, plans are in place to expand the initiative along two key axes:

1. Education and Promotion (Creating Demand for Rice Flour): This involves introducing VR-based educational sessions in schools. Enhancing gamification elements will help cultivate a new generation of rice flour enthusiasts through enjoyable learning experiences.

2. Regional Revitalization (Encouraging Migration and Settlement): Utilization of "Virtual Oroshi" as a digital twin of the community will open pathways for virtual interactions with local culture and agriculture. This could lead to increased tourism and interest in moving to Mihama.

Event Summary

• - Event Name: Experience Future Agriculture with Rice Flour! In Pine
• - Date: December 22, 2025, from 10:00 AM
• - Location: Shopping Center Pine, Mihama, Mie Prefecture
• - Organizer: General Incorporated Association Kokoterrace
• - Collaborator: Future Creation Laboratory LLC

Contact Information

For more inquiries, please reach out to:

• - Kokoterrace
• - Address: 26 Ueno, Mihama, Mie Prefecture, Japan, Local Lab Mihama
• - Contact Person: Yusuke Maeda
• - Phone: 05979-9-1654
• - Email: [email protected]
• - Website: Kokoterrace

This event showcases how modern technology can transform our understanding of agriculture and nutrition, particularly in promoting healthy local ingredients like rice flour.