Sankei Digital Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Tatsushi Doi) supported booth operations for Okayama Prefecture’s exhibition at the Taiwan and Osaka Kansai Expo using the virtual cycling app “WhiizU” from Taiwan, for which our company serves as the official domestic agent, as part of Okayama Prefecture’s “FY2025 Hareiro Cycling Route Attraction Enhancement Project.”
Booth utilizing WhiizU at the Osaka-Kansai Expo “Hyogo Friendship Week”
Okayama Prefecture has been working to promote its tourist resources and attract visitors through cycling, and is now incorporating the virtual cycling approach into its exhibition appearances and promotional activities, with our company joining this project. Among the eight recommended cycling routes in the prefecture, a section of the “Katetsu Roman Kaido Route,” which follows the former Katakami Railway track, was introduced as a virtual course within “WhiizU.”
Most of the “Katetsu Roman Kaido Route” is a dedicated road inaccessible to cars, and for capturing real-life video for virtual rides—a strength of “WhiizU”—cycling footage on this route requires advanced riding skills. At our company, filming and supervision are handled by dedicated staff, including former professional road racers with experience in European, Asian, and J Pro Tour races, making it possible to shoot video with minimal camera shake and enjoyable scenery. Incline data is also captured at the same time, allowing users to experience pedal resistance and providing an immersive cycling experience on this attractive course.
Okayama Prefecture exhibited this virtual cycling experience at the “Hyogo Friendship Week” event held at the Osaka-Kansai Expo venue from September 27 to 29. Our company also supported booth operations and decorations, and dedicated staff promoted the “Katetsu Roman Kaido” route. On the 29th, Okayama Governor Ryuta Ibaragi visited and experienced the virtual ride himself.
Okayama Governor Ryuta Ibaragi tries the “Katetsu Roman Kaido” virtual ride
The prefecture also exhibited at the “2025 Taipei International Travel Fair,” held in Taipei, Taiwan from November 7 to 10, promoting the appeal of its cycling routes through virtual cycling in the same way. Both at the Kansai Expo and the Taipei International Travel Fair, many visitors attended, helping to promote Okayama Prefecture’s cycling tourism projects via virtual cycling experiences.
Scenes from the “2025 Taipei International Travel Fair” held in Taipei, Taiwan
At Sankei Digital, we offer solutions using “WhiizU” to local governments throughout Japan. “WhiizU” features many cycling courses in both real video and 3D, supporting Japanese, Chinese, and English. It has been utilized for regional cycling tourism strategies and inbound promotional efforts. For details on virtual course production or implementation support, please contact our staff.