Click hereNTT Urban Development Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Tsujigami Hiroshi; hereinafter referred to as "NTT Urban Development") and NTT Smart Connect Corporation (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Osaka; President and CEO: Makiuchi Takafumi; hereinafter referred to as "NTT Smart Connect") are pleased to announce that they have recreated the former Miyagawacho Kaburenjo (hereinafter referred to as the "Former Kaburenjo"), which was demolished in 2022, in a metaverse space *2 using the virtual space platform "DOOR"*1, and opened it to the public today, Tuesday, March 28, 2023, with the aim of creating new value in the coexistence of traditional performing arts and ICT in Miyagawacho, one of Kyoto's five geisha districts, and preserving the memory of the town.
(Inside the hall)
Background of the initiative
The former Kaburenjo (located in Miyagawasuji, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto), built in 1916, began reconstruction in July 2022 as part of the "Shinmichi Elementary School Site Utilization Plan." The new building utilizes some of the original materials and inherits the design of the large roof that had been a symbol of Miyagawa-cho for over 100 years.
This initiative aims to further preserve Miyagawacho's history and culture through the use of digital technology and create a new space for cultural dissemination and exchange. Part of the historically valuable former Kaburenjo theater will be recreated and made public (building digital archive) in the metaverse space.
About content in the metaverse space
To recreate the former Kaburenjo, we used 3D measurement technology to measure and collect 3D point cloud data *3 of the entire former Kaburenjo while it was still in existence, and recreated it as high-resolution 3D data that retains the same ceiling height and stage size as it did back then.
In this recreated space, participants can move freely as avatars around the halls of the Kaburenjo and interact through voice conversations, text chat, etc., making it a new communication space. We are also considering holding interactive online events in this space during the public release period.
Demolished for reconstruction
City Memories: On the Roof
Aerial WalkTour of the inside of the practice room
(360-degree image)
(360-degree video)Stage, audience seats, etc.
Freely move around the hall for a tour
Within this space, participants can enjoy video content such as archived footage of the 71st Kyo Odori Dance, filmed with a 360-degree camera at the Kaburenjo before it was demolished, and footage of geisha and maiko practicing, providing a highly immersive experience that can only be achieved in a metaverse space. VR content will also be available to view, including scenes of maiko putting on makeup and other aspects of the everyday life of geisha culture.
360-degree videos will be released one after another
Roles of each company
This initiative marks the start of creating new tools to develop geisha culture by fusing the real and virtual worlds after the completion of the newly reborn Miyagawacho Kaburenjo.
| company | Main Role |
|---|---|
| NTT Urban Development |
|
| NTT Smart Connect |
|
As a partner in urban development, NTT Urban Development will continue to support the wishes of local residents and promote initiatives to improve the value of the area and resolve issues.
As a Value Platform Partner, NTT Smart Connect will utilize the NTT Group's XR technology to further promote digital archiving efforts, focusing on buildings of high cultural value such as the former Kaburenjo.
Overview of the Former Miyagawacho Kaburenjo Metaverse
The information in this notice is current as of the date of announcement. Please note that the information may differ from that at the time of announcement.
- *1DOOR is a virtual space platform provided by NTT ConoQ Corporation. Users can easily access the virtual space from any device, communicate with avatars, and enjoy a variety of content. (URL: https://door.ntt/)
- *2A virtual space that exists on the Internet. Multiple people can participate, and users can control alter egos called avatars to move freely within the space and interact with each other.
- *3 Three-dimensional data consisting of countless points with coordinate and color information measured by a 3D laser scanner. This data is also used in surveying in the civil engineering and construction fields and can reproduce real objects down to the millimeter. For the reproduction of the former Kaburenjo, the technology and know-how of Kumonos Corporation, which has a wealth of experience in 3D measurement, are being utilized. NTT Urban Development has also acquired 3D point cloud data of the former Shinmichi Elementary School building, which is currently under redevelopment. They are currently considering how to effectively utilize this data.
[Contact Information]
NTT Urban Development Development Management Headquarters Commercial Development Division: Kuwahara
TEL:03-6811-6329 t.kuwahara@ntt-us.com 9:30～16:30（土曜・日曜・祝日・年末年始を除く）
NTT Smart Connect
Media Business Department: Sasahara, Mita
TEL:06-6147-5191 realive360-ml@nttsmc.com 9:30～16:30（土曜・日曜・祝日・年末年始を除く）
[Related Release]
- Construction begins on the "(Tentative Name) Former Shinmichi School Site Utilization Project," inheriting the large roof design of the Miyagawacho Kaburenjo, with "Capella Kyoto" scheduled to open in 2025 (August 24, 2022) https://www.nttud.co.jp/news_pdf/news_220824_001.pdf
- Regarding the signing of a basic agreement with Kyoto City for the utilization of the former Shinmichi Elementary School site (December 8, 2020) https://www.nttud.co.jp/news_pdf/news_201208_001.pdf
(reference)
Outline of the plan for the utilization of the former Shinmichi Elementary School site
| location | 130 and 125-1 Komatsu-cho, 4-chome, Shijo-sagaru, Yamato-oji-dori, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 165 Shimoyanagi-cho, 2-chome, Shindo-dori, Donguri-sagaru, Shinmichi-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 306, Miyagawasuji 4-chome, Shijo-sagaru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, and 15 other parcels of land. |
|---|---|
| Site area |
|
| Gross Floor Area |
|
| structure scale |
|
| Number of rooms | 92 rooms (planned) |
| Main use | Accommodation facilities, theaters, local facilities, etc. |
| business operator | NTT Urban Development Corporation |
| Design supervision | Daiken Sekkei Co., Ltd. |
| Construction | Kumagai Gumi and Furuse Gumi Specific Construction Work Joint Venture (Members: Kumagai Gumi Co., Ltd., Furuse Gumi Co., Ltd.) |
| Construction Start | July 2022 |
| Completion | Kaburenjo building: January 2025, Hotel building: March 2025 |
Location map
Contact Information
NTT都市開発株式会社
広報室 鈴島・小張
Tel.03-6811-6241
Comment from Michiyo Oishi, head of the Miyagawacho Tea Shop Association
When I first heard about the idea, I honestly was confused as I didn't really understand the concept of the metaverse. However, when I saw that the former Miyagawacho Kaburenjo Theater had been recreated exactly as it was, I was very surprised and it brought back old memories, filling me with nostalgia and joy.
It was a world I could never have imagined, where old things are brought back to life with new technology, but perhaps it is more familiar to young people who are accustomed to the digital world. I hope that this space will allow many people to encounter the world of Miyagawacho, Kyoto's geisha district.
The spring tradition of "Kyoto Dance," which was previously held at the old Kaburenjo Theater, will be held at the Kyoto Arts Theater "Shunjuza" from April 1st to 9th this year due to the construction of the new Kaburenjo Theater.
We hope you will get to know the geisha district of Miyagawacho in this new digital space and experience the real Kyoto.