Gotsu City and Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores Form Comprehensive Partnership for Regional Growth
Key facts
- Gotsu City and Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores Form Comprehensive Partnership for Regional Growth
- Gotsu City, Shimane Prefecture, and Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores have signed a partnership agreement to promote regional revitalization and citizen services by fusing digital technology, such as the Metaverse, with local traditional culture like Iwami Kagura.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: April 28, 2026
Direct answer
Gotsu City, Shimane Prefecture, and Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores have signed a partnership agreement to promote regional revitalization and citizen services by fusing digital technology, such as the Metaverse, with local traditional culture like Iwami Kagura.
- Citation
- Gotsu City and Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores Form Comprehensive Partnership for Regional Growth (April 28, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- April 28, 2026
Gotsu City, Shimane Prefecture, and Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores have signed a partnership agreement to promote regional revitalization and citizen services by fusing digital technology, such as the Metaverse, with local traditional culture like Iwami Kagura.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 20:10
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 13:56 (2h 24m after Collected)
Gotsu City, Shimane Prefecture, and Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores (hereinafter 'the Company') have entered into a comprehensive partnership agreement. On Thursday, April 23, a signing ceremony was held at Gotsu City Hall, attended by Mayor Ataru Nakamura and Koji Munemori, President and Representative Director of the Company.
Purpose of the Agreement
The purpose of this agreement is for Gotsu City and the Company to collaborate in utilizing regional resources and promoting digital-driven city promotion, focusing on regional revitalization and sustainable urban development.
Collaboration Areas
- In the field of 'Regional Revitalization,' both parties will jointly promote the utilization of Gotsu's regional resources and traditional culture, utilizing the Company's planning and communication capabilities to create a 'related population.' They will also promote city promotion incorporating digital technology.
- In the field of 'Improving Citizen Services,' the Company will leverage its planning and communication skills cultivated in the department store business to enhance convenience and value for citizens through digital technology and new customer touchpoints.
*Specific projects will be determined through consultation between both parties.
Background and Future Outlook - Remarks from the Ceremony
- Mayor Nakamura of Gotsu City: 'Our collaboration with Daimaru Matsuzakaya to promote Iwami Kagura via the Metaverse is an unprecedented approach that has provided opportunities for many people to experience Gotsu's culture. It demonstrates the new possibilities of merging regional culture with digital technology. Through this agreement, we hope to further develop initiatives that fuse the physical and digital worlds to build a sustainable and attractive city.'
- President Munemori of Daimaru Matsuzakaya: 'Our company aims to be a "Value Co-creation Retailer." Our initiatives with Gotsu City are extensions of the culture and lifestyle nurtured in the region. We want to deepen these efforts and contribute not only to retail but also to culture, tourism, education, and welfare. We aim to bring Gotsu City's charm to more people and improve services for its residents.'
About the 'Iwami Kagura Metaverse Project'
This project involved recreating 'Iwami Kagura,' a traditional art from the Iwami region of western Shimane, in the Metaverse with the help of Gotsu City for users worldwide to experience on VRChat. Two out of more than 30 programs have been digitized. The 'Orochi' world, featuring the confrontation between Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Yamata-no-Orochi, was opened in May 2025 and reached 10,000 visits within approximately one week. Additionally, 3D costumes for 'Shoki' and 'Ekishin' from the program 'Shoki' are being distributed for free on BOOTH under the 'Daimaru Matsuzakaya Avatar Sales Official' store. This initiative received the Metaverse Japan Special Award at the 'Japan Metaverse Awards 2025' and the Regional Award at the '31st AMD Awards' organized by the Association of Media in Digital (AMD).
Purpose of the Agreement
The purpose of this agreement is for Gotsu City and the Company to collaborate in utilizing regional resources and promoting digital-driven city promotion, focusing on regional revitalization and sustainable urban development.
Collaboration Areas
- In the field of 'Regional Revitalization,' both parties will jointly promote the utilization of Gotsu's regional resources and traditional culture, utilizing the Company's planning and communication capabilities to create a 'related population.' They will also promote city promotion incorporating digital technology.
- In the field of 'Improving Citizen Services,' the Company will leverage its planning and communication skills cultivated in the department store business to enhance convenience and value for citizens through digital technology and new customer touchpoints.
*Specific projects will be determined through consultation between both parties.
Background and Future Outlook - Remarks from the Ceremony
- Mayor Nakamura of Gotsu City: 'Our collaboration with Daimaru Matsuzakaya to promote Iwami Kagura via the Metaverse is an unprecedented approach that has provided opportunities for many people to experience Gotsu's culture. It demonstrates the new possibilities of merging regional culture with digital technology. Through this agreement, we hope to further develop initiatives that fuse the physical and digital worlds to build a sustainable and attractive city.'
- President Munemori of Daimaru Matsuzakaya: 'Our company aims to be a "Value Co-creation Retailer." Our initiatives with Gotsu City are extensions of the culture and lifestyle nurtured in the region. We want to deepen these efforts and contribute not only to retail but also to culture, tourism, education, and welfare. We aim to bring Gotsu City's charm to more people and improve services for its residents.'
About the 'Iwami Kagura Metaverse Project'
This project involved recreating 'Iwami Kagura,' a traditional art from the Iwami region of western Shimane, in the Metaverse with the help of Gotsu City for users worldwide to experience on VRChat. Two out of more than 30 programs have been digitized. The 'Orochi' world, featuring the confrontation between Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Yamata-no-Orochi, was opened in May 2025 and reached 10,000 visits within approximately one week. Additionally, 3D costumes for 'Shoki' and 'Ekishin' from the program 'Shoki' are being distributed for free on BOOTH under the 'Daimaru Matsuzakaya Avatar Sales Official' store. This initiative received the Metaverse Japan Special Award at the 'Japan Metaverse Awards 2025' and the Regional Award at the '31st AMD Awards' organized by the Association of Media in Digital (AMD).
FAQ
What are the key facts in this article?
Gotsu City, Shimane Prefecture, and Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores have signed a partnership agreement to promote regional revitalization and citizen services by fusing digital technology, such as the Metaverse, with local traditional culture like Iwami Kagura.
What is the direct answer?
Gotsu City, Shimane Prefecture, and Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores have signed a partnership agreement to promote regional revitalization and citizen services by fusing digital technology, such as the Metaverse, with local traditional culture like Iwami Kagura.
What is the source and date?
PR Times: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003690.000025003.html | April 28, 2026