Museum Guide App 'Pocket Curator' Introduced at Oshi Former Togawa House

We are pleased to announce that 'Pocket Curator,' a free museum guide app developed by Waseda System Development Co., Ltd. (Shinjuku, Tokyo) that allows users to enjoy exhibition commentary via smartphone, has been implemented at the Oshi Former Togawa House (Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture) as of April 8, 2026.

Background of Implementation While the Fujisan Museum in Fujiyoshida already operates an audio guide service, the Oshi Former Togawa House, an affiliated facility located at a distance, previously only offered English audio guides. The facility had been providing direct guided tours by staff, but this placed a significant burden on personnel. With the increase in international visitors, multilingual support became an urgent priority, leading to the decision to implement 'Pocket Curator' upon the facility's reopening after seismic retrofitting.

Reasons for Selection The deciding factor was that it is an add-on feature of the 'I.B.MUSEUM SaaS' collection management system already used by the Fujisan Museum, allowing for free use of the audio guide system. Additionally, the ability for visitors to use their own smartphones without the need for dedicated equipment was highly valued.

Features of Content The app provides audio commentary that clearly explains the overview and highlights of each room in the Former Togawa House. The content is designed to be easily understood by foreigners unfamiliar with Japanese views on Mt. Fuji and has already been well-received by many visitors.

About Oshi Former Togawa House As a nationally designated Important Cultural Property and a component of the Mt. Fuji World Cultural Heritage site, the Former Togawa House is operated as an affiliate of the Fujisan Museum. The main house was built in 1768, and the rear parlor added in the late Edo period is an important structure that preserves the appearance of that time. The facility is a valuable cultural heritage site where visitors can glimpse the lives of Oshi and the faith surrounding Mt. Fuji.

Overview of Pocket Curator 'Pocket Curator' is a guide app that allows users to view and listen to exhibition commentary via smartphone. A key feature is that a single app can be used across multiple museums; once installed, users can access guides at participating facilities nationwide. The content is uniquely created by each museum, utilizing various formats such as text, photos, videos, and audio.