In the 32nd ‘Contents to experience the Outer Moat Waterfront Restoration Project and related historical culture’ of UPGRADE with TOKYO, a pitch event organised by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and aimed at ‘solving metropolitan government issues’ through collaboration between start-ups and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, HITOHATA,INC. and won the competition.

About UPGRADE with TOKYO

UPGRADE with TOKYO is a pitch event for start-ups offering unprecedented products and services that contribute to solving various metropolitan government issues facing Tokyo, and creates opportunities for interaction with government agencies, VCs and companies.

UPGRADE with TOKYO website: https://upgrade-tokyo.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/

Outline of the 32nd UPGRADE with TOKYO

[Date] Friday, 20 October 2023

[Location] TOKYO UPGRADE SQUARE (Shinjuku Sumitomo Building 25F, 6-1, Nishi-Shinjuku 2-chome, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo)

[Theme] ‘Contents that enable visitors to experience the Outer Moat Waterside Revitalisation Project and related historical and cultural aspects.’

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is promoting the revitalisation of the outer moat (Sotobori, a historical asset. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is working to improve the quality of the water in the Outer Moat (a historical site that was once the outer part of the moat of Edo Castle), providing a place of relaxation for people working in the city centre, and creating a dignified landscape that will lead to attractive urban development and revive Tokyo as a “city of water”.

As the construction of related facilities requires a long period of time, the understanding of local residents and other Tokyo citizens is essential.

Furthermore, it is important to get more people interested in the Outer Moat Waterside Restoration Project in order to widely promote the attractiveness of the project after the facilities have been completed.

Therefore, we called for creative content that would raise awareness of the project and enable people to experience the charm of the waterfront environment of the outer moat and its historical and cultural aspects.

*Waterside Restoration Project of the Outer Moat

https://www.toshiseibi.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/bunyabetsu/ryokuchikeikan/mizubesaisei.html

■Examples of expected services

・Projection mapping that can be experienced by many passers-by and passengers of JR Chuo Line and Sobu Line, taking advantage of the traffic convenience of the area around the outer moat.

・Campaign planning to promote the Outer Moat waterside restoration project using digital technology.

■ Event

The winner was decided on HITOHATA,INC., which proposed the theme “Projection Mapping of the Outer Moat Ruins of Edo Castle, a National Designated Historic Site”.

Proposal overview

HITOHATA,INC. is engaged in the business of producing and comprehensively directing digital content, including projection mapping, digital installations and 3DCG animation. It aims to create new attractions for the outer moat as a historical tourism resource through projection mapping that utilises the landscape of the outer moat.

Presentation materials

(From left: Masaaki Sawai, Director of City Planning Coordination, Urban Development Bureau, Tokyo Metropolitan Government; Takeaki Higashiyama, Representative Director of HITOHATA,INC.)

(Jury members and Takeaki Higashiyama, Representative Director of HITOHATA,INC.)

UPGRADE with TOKYO‘ official note: ’The 32nd UPGRADE with TOKYO was held! (Preliminary results)": https://note.com/upgrade_tokyo

UPGRADE with TOKYO" winning company: https://upgrade-tokyo.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/winning/