Aisaca Partners with Tokyo Monorail and Artist VIKI to Launch Original "Receipt Art" Umbrellas Aiming for Zero Disposable Umbrellas

Nature Innovation Group (Headquarters: Shinjuku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Teruji Marukawa, hereinafter "Aisaca"), which operates the umbrella sharing service "Aisaca" that makes rainy and sunny days comfortable and happy, has partnered with Tokyo Monorail Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato Ward, Tokyo; President: Hisatsugu Miyata, hereinafter "Tokyo Monorail") and contemporary artist VIKI, who is active in Japan, to co-create original umbrellas. Starting Saturday, June 20, 2026, these umbrellas will be progressively introduced at Aisaca spots, primarily at Tokyo Monorail stations.

In Japan, 80 million vinyl umbrellas are consumed annually, posing a social issue from an environmental impact perspective. This project, born from collaboration with Tokyo Monorail, aims to promote the sharing and use of umbrellas by incorporating art into daily travel spaces, thereby reducing environmental load and creating new experiential value.

Project Overview

■ About the Original Umbrellas

・Start of Provision: Saturday, June 20, 2026

・Number of Umbrellas Produced: 350

・Locations: Aisaca spots at each station of Tokyo Monorail from Hamamatsucho Station to Haneda Airport Terminal 2 Station, and at JR East Stations: Tamachi Station, Takanawa Gateway Station, and Oimachi Station (*).

* Stations within the "Shinagawa Area" promoted by the JR East Group.

Comment from VIKI, the contemporary artist responsible for the design:

On rainy days, our steps might feel a little heavy, and carrying an umbrella can even feel like a chore.

That's why I aimed for a design that creates a small, personal space the moment you open it, making you think, "Rainy days aren't so bad."

This umbrella is not just a tool to shield you from the rain, but a partner to journey with on rainy days.

By layering the traces of daily actions – receipts, a cat gazing at the city on a rainy day, and the small journey that begins when you open the umbrella – on the inside of the umbrella, I wanted to transform mundane daily life into a slightly special art experience.

I hope this Aisaca umbrella, imbued with the gaze of a cat, becomes an opportunity to turn gloomy rainy days into moments of opening up one's senses.

◎ Profile of Contemporary Artist "VIKI"

Contemporary artist based in Japan.

Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Intermedia Art in 2022.

Since 2015, has been performing "Receipt Art" using a unique technique of drawing with heat on receipts. Collecting and using discarded receipts from around the world and across the country as material, VIKI creates works with the concept of "memory recycling." Additionally, VIKI presents contemporary art pieces that interpret wine and receipts from multiple perspectives.

HP: https://www.viablekid.com

Comments from Stakeholders:

Hisatsugu Miyata, President of Tokyo Monorail Co., Ltd.:

As a transportation link between Haneda Airport and the city center, we strive to provide "travel + alpha" value that resonates with each customer's heart, embracing the "start of their journey to Japan/Tokyo" under our brand concept of "Tokyo Monorail Theater." This time, we proposed this project in resonance with Aisaca's initiative to address the social issue of "zero disposable umbrellas" and VIKI's "receipt art" based on the concept of "memory recycling."

We expect that through these original design umbrellas created by VIKI, the travel time on rainy days will become a richer and more impressive experience for domestic and international travelers, as well as for many passengers using our line.

HP: https://www.tokyo-monorail.co.jp/

■ About the "2030 Zero Disposable Umbrella Project"

The "2030 Zero Disposable Umbrella Project," launched in fiscal year 2022, aims to eliminate the disposal of approximately 80 million disposable umbrellas consumed annually in Japan by 2030, the SDGs target year, in collaboration with major companies.

As of June 2026, 17 major companies are participating. Each participating company is working with Aisaca to achieve zero disposable umbrellas, including producing original design umbrellas and offering free Aisaca usage to their employees.

In addition to the "2030 Zero Disposable Umbrella Project for Buildings" targeting office buildings, the "2030 Zero Disposable Umbrella Project for City" is being implemented to reduce disposable umbrella usage throughout cities by installing more Aisaca spots (umbrella stands) than the number of convenience stores.

Details here: https://i-kasa-lp.studio.site/2030p

■ About the Umbrella Sharing Service "Aisaca"

"Aisaca" is Japan's first full-scale umbrella sharing service, launched in December 2018 with the mission of "making rainy days comfortable and happy" and "zero disposable umbrellas." It allows users to borrow durable and sustainable "Aisaca" umbrellas at stations and in towns without needing to purchase a new vinyl umbrella each time for sudden rain. When the rain stops, users can return the umbrella to the nearest Aisaca spot, contributing to the environment while traveling conveniently empty-handed. Currently, the service has over 800,000 app registrants and is deployed in 12 prefectures including Tokyo (all areas), Kanto, Kansai, Aichi, Okayama, Fukuoka, and Saga, with over 2,000 spots installed. By eliminating the inconvenience of being unable to travel or getting wet due to lack of an umbrella, Aisaca aims to build infrastructure as a "platform for rainy days," enabling individuals to spend their time as they wish, and to create a society filled with love for people and the planet through umbrella sharing.

Reference: Ministry of the Environment 3R Basic Unit Calculation Method (https://www.env.go.jp/press/files/jp/19747.pdf)

Register for the "Aisaca" app here: https://www.i-kasa.com/