Event

The winners of the “Loca Metaverse Award,” which honors initiatives contributing to local revitalization, were announced, and the award ceremony and briefing session for local governments were held on Monday, June 16, 2025.

About the Award

The “Local Metaverse Award,” launched as part of GARDE’s 40th anniversary project, was established to support the development of local economies and culture by combining the needs of regional governments with the creativity of digital creators. Through the use of metaverse technology, the award aims to widely promote the unique appeal of various regions.

Under the theme of “Achieving Regional Revitalization through the Use of Metaverse Technology,” approximately 300 entries were submitted, from which six winning projects were selected.

Award Winners – “Local Metaverse Award”

The award was structured around three categories: one Grand Prize, one Excellence Award, and four Municipality Awards. The following six individuals were selected as recipients.

■ Grand Prize

Recipient: Masahide Hino
Target Municipality: Kunigami Village, Okinawa Prefecture
Project Title: Virtual Stargazing Tour of Kunigami Village with the People of Kunigami

Project Overview:
This project offers an interactive, two-way virtual tour experience that allows guides and participants to communicate while showcasing the natural and cultural richness of Kunigami Village, part of the Yanbaru area designated as a World Natural Heritage site. It features regional elements such as the sounds of local nature, the Kunigami dialect, and the melodies of the sanshin (Okinawan traditional instrument). The tour provides participants with an immersive experience of the star-filled skies—ideal for stargazing in Kunigami—and fosters a deeper appreciation for the local dialect and traditional culture.

The initiative also addresses issues such as overtourism, declining birthrates, and cultural preservation. By creatively utilizing local resources, the project aims to establish a new model for regional revitalization. Moving forward, a free trial version will be released on YouTube to engage younger audiences and encourage tourism and stronger community ties.

■ Excellence Award

Recipient: Koki Okumura
Target Municipality: Hachijo Town, Hachijojima (Tokyo), and municipalities across Japan
Project Title: Co-Cat: Experiencing Hachijojima through Imagination
— A Tourism Reconstruction Project Spun by a Shape-Shifting Cat

Project Overview:
This project draws inspiration from a local Hachijojima folktale about being “tricked by a cat,” offering an immersive AR experience where visitors are guided by a cat through a fusion of regional landscapes and storytelling. At iconic locations like Mt. Hachijo-Fuji and abandoned school buildings, memories of the island’s history and everyday life are brought to life. The concept proposes a new tourism style in which visitors become storytellers themselves.
Behind the project lies a response to the challenges facing remote islands and rural areas, such as the limits of consumption-based tourism, the threat to cultural preservation, and population decline. Co-Cat aims to overcome these by functioning as a culture-editing metaverse archive. The project incorporates educational partnerships and DMC (Destination Management Company) features, with the goal of realizing a sustainable tourism cycle.

■ Municipality Award

Recipient: Runa Kuboshima
Target Municipality: Iide Town, Yamagata Prefecture
Project Title: Mutual Experiences in the Real World and the Metaverse

Project Overview:
This initiative recreates Iide Town in the metaverse and offers events that connect physical and virtual experiences, enabling people to discover the town’s charm through both realms. Seasonal events combining real-world and metaverse elements aim to help solve local issues.

■ Municipality Award

Recipient: Taishi Jinno
Target Municipality: Kunigami Village, Okinawa Prefecture
Project Title: Metaverse Bridge Project Connecting the Northernmost Points

Project Overview:
This is a virtual day-labor simulation project to build a bridge in the metaverse between Cape Hedo, the northernmost point of Okinawa’s main island, and Cape Soya, the northernmost point of Hokkaido.
Players take on the role of a Yanbaru Kuina (Okinawa rail) and become residents of Kunigami Village, working on this large-scale, long-term fictional public works project—similar to coal mining on Gunkanjima (Battleship Island).
By using actual field names and topography from Kunigami, participants develop a deeper understanding of the region and gain interest in its culture and natural environment. Activity data from players will be shared freely for use in AI and robotics development, helping address labor shortages in local logistics.
This project offers potential as a new platform that fosters interregional exchange, even between geographically distant areas.

■ Municipality Award

Recipient: Takeshi Kodama
Target Municipality: Kunigami Village, Okinawa Prefecture
Project Title: “Yanbaru World (Tentative)” Metaverse Plan to Expand Interaction and Engagement in Kunigami

Project Overview:
This project involves building the “Yanbaru World (tentative)” metaverse space in the Kunigami/Yanbaru region, where companies can establish virtual branches or retreat facilities. Employees can work via avatars, take virtual vacations with friends or family, and engage in various activities.
Kunigami Village will offer this metaverse space as a return gift for corporate hometown tax donations, using the funds to support nature and environmental conservation efforts in Yanbaru.
In collaboration with local hotels and inns, donor companies’ employees and their families can receive discounts and perks during real-life stays, giving companies the benefit of a physical retreat without needing to own one.
For Kunigami, the initiative aims to spark real tourism through the metaverse, expanding visitor numbers, relationship populations, and potentially even permanent residents.

■ Municipality Award

Recipient: Rie Takeuchi
Target Municipality: Iide Town, Yamagata Prefecture
Project Title: Virtual Relocation Metaverse — A New Hometown Beginning with a House and a Field

Project Overview:
This project allows users to virtually experience relocation to Iide Town in Yamagata Prefecture, living as a local resident in the metaverse—working, raising, growing, and supporting.
Players engage in activities such as living in a traditional farmhouse, starting a farm, participating in community events, and joining youth associations, experiencing the changing seasons and rhythms of life.
Over time, users grow into roles where they support newcomers to the community, embodying a “cycle of growth and support.”
The project emphasizes real-world connections as well, with systems like acquiring land through hometown tax donations and “Tamagaki NFTs” that record the names of supporters—creating a natural pathway to local contribution.
As a “gateway to the future,” the experience fosters positive imagination and meaningful engagement with others in ways only possible online. It supports young urban dwellers who are interested in regional relocation but hesitant to take the first step.
In the age of AI and the metaverse, this initiative proposes a new model: using virtual experiences to spark the joy of real-world engagement. Through the lens of Iide Town, it aims to rediscover the strength and warmth of regional communities.

The details of the award ceremony can be viewed below.

GARDE Kuala Lumpur Hosts Seminar and Retail Site Visits for PPK Malaysia Delegation

In mid-May, GARDE Kuala Lumpur (KL) hosted a special program for members of Persatuan Pengurusan Kompleks (PPK Malaysia – Malaysia Shopping Centre Association), who visited Japan to explore the latest developments in urban planning and retail infrastructure.

Led by GARDE KL Representative Mr. Yamanouchi, the program included a presentation and seminar on current trends in urban development, tailored for approximately 40 delegates — including leading commercial facility operators and urban development professionals from Malaysia and neighboring countries.

The delegation visited prominent retail and mixed-use developments across Tokyo, including the Shibuya, Ginza, and Toranomon districts. On the final day, a seminar was held featuring guest speakers involved in landmark urban projects. Mr. Saikawa, Group Leader of the Shibuya Operations Division at Tokyu Land Corporation, opened the session with a keynote presentation on the Shibuya Sakura Stage project — a large-scale redevelopment initiative where GARDE contributed to the interior design and coordination of Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya.

His talk focused on the project’s integration of startup business support into a broader urban development strategy, a concept unique to Shibuya. The session offered the Malaysian delegation valuable insights into development models applicable to their rapidly evolving market.

Following the keynote, the second speaker was Mr. Sugimoto (see Image 2), a first-class architect and General Manager of both the Commercial & Hotel Development Department and Development Strategy Department at NTT Urban Development Corporation.

Sugimoto introduced the redevelopment project in front of Harajuku Station, which was designed around the concept of “connection” — a central theme for NTT. The project emphasized the creation of a carefully planned pedestrian flow (michi or “path”) to enhance both the circulation within the area and the synergy between surrounding facilities and the city. He also shared detailed strategies for maximizing profitability by increasing the number of street-level retail units within a limited site area, as well as planning that takes biodiversity into account. The audience responded enthusiastically, with many nodding in agreement and capturing key slides with their cameras.

At GARDE, we actively host business seminars, study tours, and professional site visits related to urban development and commercial facilities, both in Japan and abroad.
As part of our globally integrated service menu, we will continue to strengthen these offerings by leveraging the unique advantages of our international network.

GARDE Design Magazine provides project portfolio, trends in architecture, design, and art, and event information.
The project portfolio and the latest information on GARDE are now available on our official website.
>Click here to visit our project portfolio.
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This time, we are pleased to present “concorde”, a new solo exhibition by artist Takeshi Sumi, who explores harmony through interventions in photography. The exhibition will be held from May 30 to July 1, 2025.

The title “concorde” comes from the French word for “harmony.” For Sumi, the starting point of creation lies in overcoming the distances and divisions between people to discover harmony. This exhibition showcases a series of works centered on photography, incorporating a range of techniques such as embroidery, slits, and light.

Through delicate manual interventions, Sumi reconstructs the relationship between the subject in the photograph and the photographer themselves. Photography as a medium often creates an inherently asymmetrical relationship between the one who takes and the one who is taken.

In order to bridge that divide, Sumi employs analog techniques such as embroidering onto photographs, piercing them to let light through, and adding slits, creating a tangible connection between himself and the subject.

These expressions are also an attempt to give form to what is “invisible yet felt”, the subtle shifts in perception that arise from encounters with his subjects. Often described as an “aura,” this quality reflects Sumi’s intent to allow both the conscious and unconscious to coexist within his work.

This exhibition goes beyond photography, employing a multifaceted composition to delve deeper into the theme of “concorde”—harmony. We invite you to experience the world of Takeshi Sumi’s art firsthand at the venue.

Profile: Takeshi Sumi

Born in Kyoto in 1981, Takeshi Sumi graduated from the School of Letters at Meiji University and later completed studies in Information Design at Tama Art University. His creative practice centers on photography and emphasizes physical sensation, exploring the theme of “discovering the world beyond what is visible.”

His published works include Sora ni Oyogu (Swimming in the Sky, 2012, Libro Arte) and Yubi to Hoshi (Fingers and Stars, 2019, Libro Arte). His works are part of the agnès b. collection, and he has contributed extensively to book covers and advertising visuals.

Sumi is also engaged in socially conscious art projects, such as Silhouette Family Exhibition (2023, organized by Kodomap), which focused on LGBTQ+ families.

Selected Solo Exhibitions

• 2025: Les Fantasies – What Once / Was / There – node hotel (Kyoto)
• 2024: For a better world – hIDE GALLERY TOKYO (Tokyo)
• 2023: Photographs, lost and born – hIDE GALLERY TOKYO (Tokyo)
• 2021: halo – BOOK AND SONS (Tokyo)
• 2020: Les Fantaisies – Galerie Grand E’Terna (Paris)
• 2019: Yubi to Hoshi – gallery Main (Kyoto)
• 2019: Fingers and Stars – Galerie Grand E’Terna (Paris)
• 2016: Existence is beyond the reflection and transmitted light – Shinpukan by gallery Main (Kyoto)
• 2015: Lumière et vous – Galerie Grand E’Terna (Paris)
• 2011: Hikari (Light) – Port Gallery T (Osaka)
• 2010: Meteor – Akarui Heya (Tokyo)

Art Projects

• 2023: Silhouette Family Exhibition – collaborative project with Kodomap (General Incorporated Association)

Selected Art Fairs

• 2024: ONE ART TAIPEI 2024 (Taipei) / hIDE GALLERY TOKYO
• 2023: ART FAIR ASIA FUKUOKA 2023 (Fukuoka) / hIDE GALLERY TOKYO
• 2017: fotofever (Paris) / gallery Main
• 2016: affordable art fair (New York)
• 2012: no found photo fair (Paris) / Libro Arte
• 2012: TOKYO PHOTO 2012 (Tokyo) / Libro Arte

Collections

• 2013: agnès b. collection

Publications

• Yubi to Hoshi (Fingers and Stars), September 2019 – Libro Arte
• Sora ni Oyogu (Swimming in the Sky), October 2012 – Libro Arte

Notable Work Contributions

• 2023: THE FORWARD vol.6 (Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha) – Cover
• 2022: Tōmei na Maku o Hedatenagara by Lin Kotomi (Hayakawa Publishing) – Cover
• 2022: Koi no Owari ni by Tsukuru Nishida (Gentosha) – Cover
• 2021: Kamisamatachi by Miki Mori (Kobunsha) – Cover
• 2020: JR Kyoto Isetan 20th Anniversary Visual
• 2020: Polaris ga Furisosogu Yoru by Lin Kotomi (Chikuma Shobō) – Cover
• 2020: Gunzō Vol.75 No.1 (Kodansha) – Cover
• 2019: Behavior by Junketsu Shindō (KADOKAWA, e-book) – Cover
• 2018: Spica for the Anonymous by Rio Shimamoto (Shoeisha, library edition) – Book Design

Exhibition Overview: Takeshi Sumi Solo Exhibition “concorde”

Dates: Friday, May 30 – Tuesday, July 1, 2025 (closed on Saturdays and Sundays)
Hours: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (11:00 AM – 4:00 PM on the last day)
Venue: GARDE Gallery
NBF ALLIANCE Building 4F, 5-2-1 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Admission: Free
URL: https://tinyurl.com/ys2z8hah

The solo exhibition “Grid” by artist Kiyoo Ota, who elevates architectural perspectives into art, is currently being held at GARDE Gallery in Aoyama, Tokyo.
(Exhibition Period: Friday, February 21 – Saturday, March 8, 2025)

We spoke with Ota about the appeal of this exhibition and his future artistic direction.

In “Grid”, Ota explores the concept of grids—an idea he has long pursued—through a variety of artistic expressions, including paintings, sculptures, and installations. Grids, commonly used in fields such as architecture, design, mathematics, and urban planning, are composed of structured lines and points, serving as a fundamental framework that visually and physically conveys order and structure. However, Ota does not merely treat grid structures as rigid frameworks; instead, he constantly seeks new artistic possibilities by incorporating visual effects that challenge and expand conventional perceptions.

One of the most striking aspects of the exhibition is the collection of works utilizing moiré patterns. When meticulously drawn grid patterns overlap, they create a moiré effect that, depending on the viewer’s angle and distance, produces wave-like movements and vibrations. This dynamic illusion brings an unexpected sense of motion to what would otherwise be a static composition.
(Moiré: A visual phenomenon where overlapping layers of regularly arranged dots or lines create an interference pattern of wavy or rippling stripes.)

Additionally, the exhibition features works that deconstruct and reconstruct the cube, a fundamental shape in architecture. By intricately intersecting the cube’s surfaces and lines, these pieces challenge the illusions created by perspective and push its limits, blurring the boundaries between two-dimensional and three-dimensional space to create a unique visual experience.

Regarding this exhibition, Ota shared the following comment:
“The essence of my work is difficult to fully convey through photos or videos. In particular, the pieces utilizing moiré patterns must be seen, felt, and experienced firsthand to truly appreciate their intrigue and uniqueness. I encourage visitors to immerse themselves in the artwork, sense the shifting space and illusions with their own bodies, and freely explore the spatial transformations.”

Future Outlook: Expanding into Public Art

With a background in architecture, Ota is exploring new possibilities in the field of public art. He envisions integrating his works into everyday spaces such as parks and office entrances, making art a more accessible and immersive part of daily life.

Building on his past exhibitions in China and Taiwan, Ota aims to further deepen the connection between architecture and art through his work. His future plans include expanding his exhibitions beyond Japan, actively showcasing his art in major cities worldwide, including New York, Milan, and Paris.

Kiyoo Ota

Born: 1981, Aomori Prefecture (raised in Akita Prefecture)
Education
2007: Completed Master’s Program, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
2005: Graduated from the Department of Architecture, Kyoto University

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2024: Order, Gallery TK2
2023: Geometry, Daimaru Umeda Store
2023: Cosmos, Miaki Gallery
2023: Reality, Tagboat Gallery at Hankyu Men’s Tokyo

Selected Group Exhibitions / Art Fairs

2024: Art Central, Hong Kong
2024: ART ART TOKYO, Daimaru Tokyo Store
2024: ART SHINSAIBASHI, Shinsaibashi PARCO
2023: West Bund Art & Design, Shanghai
2023: Sarugaku Festival Art Fair, Art Front Gallery
2023: CHAPTER PATINA, Amanyangyun (Amanyang, Shanghai)
2023: Onbeat Art Show, Ginza Mitsukoshi
2023: China-Japan-Korea Sculpture Invitational Exhibition, Ministry of Culture of China, 2023: Qingdao Sculpture Art Museum
2023: Tennoz Canal Fes, WHAT CAFE, Terrada Warehouse
2023: Pre-Breakout Artists Exhibition, Ginza Six
2023: Contemporary Art from Around the World 2023, Daimaru Hakata Tenjin Store
2023: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/otakiyoo/

Kiyoo Ota Solo Exhibition “Grid”

Dates：February 21 (Fri.) – March 8 (Sat.), 2025 *Closed on Sundays and holidays
Hours：11:00-18:00
Venue：GARDE Gallery (NBF ALLIANCE Bldg. 4F, 5-2-1 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
Admission：free
URL：https://www.art-adf.jp/?sl=en

Kiyoo Ota – Upcoming Exhibition Announcement

“Kokon Tozai” (All times and places)

Set in a Registered Tangible Cultural Property with over a century of history, this exhibition will showcase 14 next-generation artists.

Participating Artists:

Yukino Oishi / Kiyoo Ota / Yoichiro Otani / Chika Kato / Yoshitoshi Kanemaki / Yu Kawashima / Kayoko Kimura / Ryosuke Shiomi / Yosuke Takasaki / Yoshiyasu Tamura / Momoko Nakamura / Yukihiko Haruta / Ryota Nishioka / Jun Matsumura

Exhibition Dates:

April 12 – April 30, 2025 | 13:00 – 20:00

• General Public Access (Free Admission): Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays
• Reservation Required: Mondays to Thursdays (Please contact the exhibition office in advance via email.)

Venue:

Kyo Art
402 Mongaicho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture (Shichijo-dori, Horikawa East Entrance, North Side)

Contact Information:

Exhibition Office:kokontozai.art@gmail.com

On December 19, 2024, GARDE hosted an informational session for local governments regarding the Regional Revitalization Metaverse Award. The event was attended by municipalities from across Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa.

During the session, Misawa from GARDE, the project manager, emphasized that the Metaverse is more than just a virtual space—it serves as a powerful tool for showcasing regional attractions and contributing to economic and cultural development. Furthermore, the importance of collaboration between local governments and creators was highlighted, stressing that innovative ideas can help solve regional challenges and drive sustainable growth.

Examples of Other Companies Utilizing the Metaverse

In recent years, promotional activities leveraging the Metaverse by local governments have been gaining attention. This trend is driven by advancements in digital technology, restrictions on offline events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and an increasing number of municipalities focusing on supporting regional migration by targeting the younger demographic, who are the primary users of the Metaverse.

Below are some examples of projects that have been implemented to promote regional revitalization through the Metaverse.

[Fujieda City, Shizuoka Prefecture] Metaverse Business Matching Fair

Fujieda City hosted a Metaverse-based experiential business matching fair. Participants could visit virtual corporate booths within the Metaverse space and engage in real-time voice conversations with avatars acting as company representatives. Unlike traditional face-to-face business matching events, this initiative provided an immersive and realistic atmosphere, enabling a new form of business networking.

[Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture] Promoting Furusato Tax Donations in a Virtual Space

Hagi City, in collaboration with SPECTRUM, launched the “Hagi City x SPECTRUM Metaverse Furusato Tax Donation Campaign.” Visitors could experience furusato tax donations in a Metaverse environment, where they were welcomed by Hagi City’s official mascot, “Haginyan.” The virtual space featured 360 return gift items, allowing users to explore various booths in a friendly and engaging setting. Digital posters placed throughout the venue enabled visitors to access the donation website directly and make contributions on the spot.

[Akita Prefecture] Metaverse Expo to Promote Regional Migration

Akita Prefecture launched the “Akita Migration & Exchange Metaverse Expo” to promote relocation to the region. The Metaverse exhibition was divided into six distinct regional areas, each visually showcasing its unique characteristics in a 3D environment. Visitors could explore the virtual space using avatars inspired by local symbols, such as “Ndacchi” and Akita Inu dogs. This interactive setup allowed visitors to gain insights into regional features while enjoying various immersive experiences.

Regional Revitalization Metaverse Award Details

Call for Entry

This award invites a wide range of ideas that utilize the Metaverse for regional revitalization, including:

• Tourism Promotion
• Sports Activation
• Local Product Sales
• Encouraging Regional Settlement
• VR Job Training
• Other innovative ideas contributing to regional revitalization 

Application Guidelines 

• Theme: Ideas that achieve “regional revitalization through the use of Metaverse technology.”
• Application Period: November 1, 2024 – April 30, 2025
• Eligibility:
  • Applicants can be individuals or groups.
  • As of November 1, 2024, applicants must be high school students or older residing in Japan.
  • If applying as a group, all members must meet the eligibility requirements and provide consent for participation.
• Number of Entries:
  • Each participant (or group) can submit one entry specifying a local government or one general entry without specifying a municipality.
  • If applying as a group, each group is limited to one entry.
• Application Conditions:
  • Applicants must agree to and comply with the Regional Revitalization Metaverse Award application guidelines.

Prize Details 

• Grand Prize (1 Winner): 3 million JPY
• Excellence Award (1 Winner): 1 million JPY
• Local Government Award (4 Winners): 250,000 JPY each

※ The judging process will be conducted internally at GARDE and will remain confidential.
※ Details regarding the award ceremony will be announced at a later date.

GARDE, leveraging its global network and extensive expertise in design, aims to create new value for local communities. By fostering creative Metaverse-based ideas, we strive to contribute to regional revitalization and problem-solving. We remain committed to supporting initiatives that shape a more vibrant and sustainable future.

Official Website:
https://garde-metaverse-award.com/

GARDE Design Magazine provides project portfolio, trends in architecture, design, and art, and event information.
The project portfolio and the latest information on GARDE are now available on our official website.
>Click here to visit our project portfolio.
>Click here for the latest information on GARDE