World's First!　A report on "Akiba V-Chua," a deep tour of Akiba with VTubers! Akiba Exploration by Shun Gori

It was on such a day in August 2023 that we conducted this interview. It was a Sunday, and the town of Akihabara was crowded with both Japanese and foreigners. We were able to see the town of Akiba more active than ever before.

In the midst of all this, I received a call from the editorial office saying, "We have been invited by the world's first Akihabara tour!" and Shun Gori, who calls himself a genuine Akiba connoisseur, immediately went to experience this tour.

(*Please note that the contents of the tour are subject to change.)

The "Deep Travel in Akiba with VTubers - Real & Online" (abbreviated as "Akiba V-Chua"), which I had the opportunity to experience this time, was established with the aim of "transmitting Akiba from Akihabara to the world, TV, a company that provides information on Akihabara through various SNS and video-sharing websites and offers tours such as "Akiba First Experience Tour" and "EV Tuk Tuk in Akiba". As the name suggests, a "V Tuber" will act as a guide for the tour, taking visitors on a tour of Akihabara, visiting the real Akihabara, its history and the latest spots.

Incidentally, you can also participate in the tour online and enjoy the guided tour of Akihabara by VTubers in real time from the comfort of your home.

From the online tour screen

How will the VTubers really show up?

When we walked out to the Radio Kaikan side of JR Akihabara Station's Electric Town Exit, the starting point of the tour, we were greeted by Minami Momochi, the VTuber who would be our guide, and Yanoharu, an Akiba Deep Travel tour guide who would assist Momochi's guide.

Momochi Minami is a well-known personality in the area, appearing regularly on terrestrial TV and even MCing idol live shows and events. We could hardly contain our excitement to see how she would appear and how she would guide us, but to our surprise, she appeared on an LCD monitor carried on her back by a male staff member!

Apparently, this LCD monitor is equipped with a camera that can see our situation in real time. When I waved my hand at the screen, he turned his head to look at me, and since he could hear our conversation through Yanoharu's headset and his companion's microphone, he responded in a nice way, making me feel that I was really traveling with a VTuber.

Once all the tour participants are present, a rough explanation of the tour route, precautions, and installation of apps to enjoy the tour are given.

Those who want to hear the VTubers' voices more clearly and feel closer to them can install the "Zoom" application on their own smartphones, allowing them to see and hear the guides from the VTubers at their fingertips.

Akiba V-chuah start!

Momochi-san and Yanoharu-san stood out quite a bit, and were being bombarded with photos by passersby, but once they were ready, the tour was about to begin.

It started raining right after the tour started, so "Momochi Minami" was covered with a vinyl umbrella.

First, we moved from the Electric Town exit to the front of Radio Kaikan, a famous and sacred place in Akihabara.

At the sights, Momochi-san will tell us about the place, the store's origins and history, and other things that you would not be able to learn just by visiting Akihabara in general.

Next, we will move from Radio Kaikan to the front of Radio Center under the elevated JR Sobu Line. This area still retains the traditional Akihabara atmosphere, so it is a great photo spot for those who are new to Akihabara.

During the move, Momochi-san and Yanoharu-san entertain us with their exquisite banter.

Momochi-san's ad-libbed commands lead Yanoharu-san across the pedestrian crossing with her hands raised.

Passing in front of the Radio Department Store, we enter a street that has recently become known as "Maid Street" because maids working at maid cafes and con cafes in the area gather to distribute leaflets.

Here we will see the long-established tavern "Akatsuka", established in 1954, and the hobby store "KOTOBUKIYA".

In front of the long-established maid cafe "At Home Cafe" and at "Aisan Denki", which has been in business for 75 years, there will be fun events such as a quiz competition using augmented reality (AR).

Tour participants* will also receive original items and coupons from nearby hotels and stores. For example, "Minoya Confectionery Workshop" in Akihabara UDX will present special cookies, and "NOHGA HOTEL AKIHABARA TOKYO" will give one free drink from a selection of drinks to those who order at least one item at its restaurant. A coupon will be given to those who order at least one drink at the restaurant.
*There are also special offers only for real tour participants. Please check the official "Akiba V-chuah" website for details on the special offers.

After that, you will be guided to the famous curry specialty restaurant "BENGAL" and other places before arriving at the maid café "Cafe Meilish," which is also the last stop of the tour.

At "Cafe Meilish," maids serving you will give you a special bonus "Cafe Meilish x Akiba V-Chua Original Laminated Card" and special cookies from "Minoya Confectionery Studio" as gifts.

(*The maids were dressed as bunnies on the day of the interview, because Bunny Day was being held at Cafe Meilish.)

Shun Gori is very happy to receive the special gift from the maid.

So, for the 22nd installment of Shun Gori's Akiba Exploration, we visited "Deep Travel in Akiba with VTubers - Real & Online" and experienced Akiba V-Chouer.

I felt I had a glimpse of a tour of the future in the truest sense of the word, combining the virtual existence of VTubers with real tours, and incorporating advanced technologies such as AR, etc. The VTuber and support guides interacted with each other, and the VTuber also participated in the conversations of the tour participants, It was an enjoyable tour that went well beyond the digital barrier.

This is a new type of tour that can be enjoyed not only by those who have never been to Akihabara before, but also by Shungori who know Akihabara inside and out.

In addition to Momochi Minami, there are many other VTubers participating in this tour, so you may want to try to take a tour on a day when your favorite VTuber is guiding.

Tour Information

Tour Name: "Deep Travel in Akiba with VTubers - Real & Online

Tour Details :#

Duration: 2 hours

Fee: 4,400 yen (tax included) for real tour, 1,100 yen (tax included) for online tour