#Japan #JTB #Sekigahara #Locatone #Sekigahara Town

JTB Introduces New Historical Experience Series

In an exciting development for historical tourism, JTB Corporation has commenced sales of their innovative 'Historical Experience Series.' In collaboration with Sony Marketing, this initiative utilizes the audio AR service 'Locatone™' to create unique and immersive sightseeing experiences. The first installment, titled 'Battle of Sekigahara,' is set to launch on June 4, 2025. This series aims to enrich the cultural landscape by transforming historical events and figures such as samurai and warlords into engaging entertainment, effectively driving both tourist appeal and revenue growth in an age of tourism digital transformation (DX).

Addressing Local Tourism Challenges

The need for sustainable tourism revenue has become increasingly evident in recent years. Many tourist destinations struggle to monetize their offerings, with visitors often enjoying free access to historical sites and local attractions. Furthermore, despite possessing rich and captivating content, many regions fail to effectively promote their tourism offerings, resulting in a lack of broad recognition.

To tackle these challenges, JTB and Sony Marketing are leveraging audio AR technology to enhance the visitor experience. By delivering engaging audio narratives that synchronize with geographical locations, this collaboration aims to translate regional points of interest into fresh opportunities for exploration and exploration, thus encouraging deeper engagement with the local area.

Details of the 'Historical Experience Series' and 'Battle of Sekigahara'

The 'Historical Experience Series' fuses the auditory wonder of audio AR with historical sightseeing, beginning with 'Battle of Sekigahara,' which takes place at a historic battleground in Sekigahara Town. As visitors journey through this historic locale, they will hear sounds linked to their current location, including the clashing of swords, the thunder of gunfire, and the spirited whinnies of horses, all created to deliver a truly immersive atmosphere.

Using Sony's motion sound technology, the experience also allows participants to hear the sounds of armor in response to their movements, as well as to swing their smartphones to simulate drawing a sword. At designated points, AR-enabled generals will appear, yielding an opportunity for visitors to take memorable photographs with these historical figures. This interactive feature also encourages social media sharing, enhancing publicity for local attractions. These features add an extraordinary level of immersion and interactivity to exploring an actual historic battleground.

The offering is available in multiple languages to cater to international visitors, promoting inbound tourism. Alongside the standalone audio experience, a bundled ticket including admission to the Sekigahara Historical Museum is being sold, presenting an enhanced value proposition for the participants. There are plans to expand the 'Historical Experience Series' to various tourist destinations across Japan, providing multifaceted insights into the nation's rich history and culture while ensuring a balance between increased tourism revenue and maintaining charm.

Event Information for 'Battle of Sekigahara'

• - Start Date: June 4, 2025
• - Location: Sekigahara Town, Gifu Prefecture
• - Price: 500 yen (tax included) - Bundled with museum admission for 1,000 yen
• - Duration: Approximately 45 minutes
• - Supported Languages: Japanese / English
• - Delivery Method: Accessible via mobile web browser (iPhone: Safari / Android: Chrome)

About Locatone

Locatone is an innovative auditory experience that blends sounds from the virtual world into the real one, creating an engaging ambiance. After starting the service via smartphone, users will automatically hear audio and music as they explore specific locales.

JTB, primarily focused on its 'Exchange Creation Business,' is committed to addressing community and societal challenges by designing solutions around people, places, and interactions. By developing tourism content utilizing local resources, JTB aims to expand interaction populations while contributing to sustainable regional development.

For inquiries from companies and municipalities, please visit JTB BWT.