Web3.0 × Aichi: Uncovering the Multifaceted Appeal of Aichi's Web3.0 Initiatives in Cultural Heritage and Innovation

Located near the center of the Japanese archipelago, Aichi Prefecture has been Japan's leading region in industrial product shipments since 1977, earning it the nickname 'Kingdom of Manufacturing'. The area is bustling with chemical and heavy chemical industries, including synthetic resins, automobiles, and machine tools. It is also the birthplace of renowned warlords such as Oda Nobunaga, who aimed to unify Japan under the banner of 'Tenka Fubu', Toyotomi Hideyoshi who rose to the position of Imperial Regent, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, known for unifying Japan.

While Aichi has been a driving force in Japan's development, it also faces numerous modern challenges. Some cities, like those around Nagoya and Toyota City stations, are undergoing large-scale redevelopment, while others struggle with increasing vacancies and declining station-front areas. Issues such as aging populations and rising numbers of students refusing to attend school are also of concern, making the realization of 'Smart Cities' a priority for local municipalities. Against this backdrop, Web3.0 technologies are being actively implemented in Aichi, though their purposes vary by municipality.

In Iwakura City, located in the northwestern part of Aichi, an initiative has been launched to sell landscape photographs as NFT art. For the smallest city in Aichi in terms of area, turning views of the Gojo River and cherry blossom-lined streets into NFT art adds new value to its tourist resources, aiming to aid in regional revitalization and activation.

▶MLJ, which undertakes hometown tax donation operations from local governments, sells Iwakura City landscape photos as NFT art on 'OpenSea'. The sales proceeds are donated to the city, aiming for local revitalization. In addition to the photo 'Sakura of Gojo River' used for commemorative stamps, five photos shot by MLJ's contracted photographer Yuuki Saito were selected. The city aims to promote tourism resources and increase related population.

Involved enterprises and organizations: Iwakura City, MLJ Corporation

In the western part of Aichi Prefecture, the city of Obu, which has seen a continuous increase in population due to a focus on families with children, is not only enhancing its childcare support but also actively engaging in initiatives that utilize the region's history and unique characteristics. Aiming to realize the vision of 'Violin Village' conceived by Masakichi Suzuki, the founder of Suzuki Violin Manufacturing who first succeeded in mass-producing violins in Japan during the Meiji era, the 'Violin Village Obu Metaverse' has been launched. This allows people to enjoy the history and culture of Obu City in a digital space.

▶ In pursuit of realizing 'Violin Village Obu,' the city has recreated violin workshops that existed in Obu before the war in the metaverse. At the 'Obu City Historical Folk Museum Digital Museum,' visitors can digitally explore violin manufacturing and enjoy concerts. There are also contents that allow viewing the museum interior with a 360° camera, offering an experience akin to an actual visit.

Implementing organizations and entities: Obu City

Okazaki city, already well-known for the NHK historical drama 'What Will Ieyasu Do?' and the popular local YouTuber group 'Tokai On Air', is expanding its appeal beyond the physical world into the virtual space with the 'Okazaki Metaverse'. Here, they host events and promote local products. They have also developed a system where completing tasks in the metaverse rewards users with real-world benefits.

Okazaki city has entered into a comprehensive partnership agreement with START LANDS Inc., working on a broad range of collaborative projects from generating related populations to hometown tax donations. They have constructed the 'Okazaki Metaverse' featuring landmarks such as Okazaki Castle, Koda Park, and the Otogawa riverbank. This initiative aims to make the town feel more accessible to users, thereby promoting local products through metaverse e-commerce and attracting tourists through virtual tourism.

Involved entities: Okazaki City, START LANDS Inc.

In Okazaki City, the traditional bonsai garden 'Daiju-en' has launched an NFT marketplace called 'BON voyage,' which has become a topic of conversation. This service allows you to own a favorite bonsai as art or an asset, while professional bonsai masters handle the cultivation and management, with the possibility of secondary distribution of ownership rights. This innovative use of NFTs combines the 'deposited bonsai' culture with NFT art.

Daiju-en, a long-established bonsai garden in Okazaki City, has launched the bonsai × NFT specialized marketplace 'BON voyage' and started selling NFT ownership rights for 12 bonsai pots. Purchasers can experience the culture of 'deposited bonsai,' where the bonsai are cultivated and managed by bonsai masters. Owners can visit the bonsai garden and participate in exhibitions, contributing to the preservation of Japan's famous trees and the bonsai industry.

Entities involved: Daiju-en Co., Ltd.

Web3.0 technology is being utilized in familiar settings as well. At the stamp rally event 'Family Fun with Happy Camp Bingo' held at Higashi Betsuin in Nagoya, participants could join by simply scanning a QR code, receiving coupons for use at Alpen Outdoors as a participation bonus. The system filled up a bingo ledger as participants collected NFT stamps at various locations. This method benefits both organizers and participants: organizers can plan more effective events using data, and participants can enjoy the event with ease.

At the 'Sakura Betsuin 2025' event held at Higashi Betsuin in Nagoya, Me~Tele hosted 'Family Fun with Happy Camp Bingo'. By utilizing the blockchain-based service 'Everyone's Footprints', participants could easily join the bingo stamp rally without a dedicated app. As a participation bonus, coupons usable at Alpen Outdoors nationwide were distributed, also driving traffic to physical stores.

Implementing companies/organizations: Me~Tele (Nagoya Broadcasting Network), Dentsu Inc., SUSHI TOP MARKETING Inc.

In Aichi, where industrial infrastructure and historical culture coexist, there are numerous examples of utilizing Web3.0 to solve regional issues and preserve traditional culture. The future where Web3.0 services become commonplace may not be far off.

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