Fujikyu Railway and HIKKY Launch XR Annual Project for 100th Anniversary
A century-old railway operator is using XR to extend its physical theme park into the metaverse, treating virtual engagement as a pipeline for real-world tourism rather than a standalone promotion.
Key Facts
- Fujikyu Railway partnered with HIKKY for an XR Annual Project to mark the railway's 100th anniversary.
- The first phase brings a Fuji-Q Highland booth to Virtual Market 2026 Summer, featuring a VR version of the coaster FUJIYAMA.
- The VR coaster accelerates based on rider scream volume, which HIKKY calls the world's first voice-accelerated VR coaster.
- Senior Managing Director Motomitsu Horiuchi said the project aims to build a fan community through virtual interaction and convert that into real-world visits.
- The booth is designed as a pop-cute interpretation of the park, not a direct replica.
Reporting from 1 source: PANORA.
Fujikyu Railway, celebrating its 100th anniversary, has partnered with HIKKY to launch an XR Annual Project. The first phase brings Fuji-Q Highland to Virtual Market 2026 Summer with a VR roller coaster that accelerates based on rider scream volume. The project aims to build virtual fan communities and drive real-world visits.
Fujikyu Railway, which operates Fuji-Q Highland, is marking its 100th anniversary by entering the metaverse. The company partnered with HIKKY, the organizer of Virtual Market, on an XR Annual Project that begins with a Fuji-Q Highland booth at Virtual Market 2026 Summer. The centerpiece is a VR version of the coaster FUJIYAMA that speeds up the louder riders scream-a feature HIKKY calls the world's first voice-accelerated VR coaster.
The booth is designed as a pop-cute interpretation of the park rather than a direct replica. Senior Managing Director Motomitsu Horiuchi said the goal is to build a fan community through continuous virtual interaction, then convert that into actual visits, longer stays, and travel around Mt. Fuji. The project treats XR not as a one-off marketing stunt but as a long-term channel for customer acquisition and retention.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.