"Ninja's Mission with LinkRay" Event Conducted for Tourists - Proposing a New Sightseeing Style in Asakusa, Tokyo

Tokyo, Japan - Panasonic Corporation is collaborating with Asakusa's Dembo-in Dori East Shopping Association from December 26, 2017 until January 31, 2018 to conduct an overseas tourist event, called "Ninja's Mission with LinkRay" using the LinkRay LightID solution(*1).

As the number of overseas tourists continues to grow in the time frame leading up to 2020, a large number of tourists are visiting Asakusa, Tokyo. A new sightseeing experience that overcomes the language barrier for these tourists is being offered in collaboration with KAYAC Inc. (commonly called "Fun-loving Corporation KAYAC") on the east side of Dembo-in Dori.

In Dembo-in Dori (East Side), a group of thieves called the "Shiranami Gonin Otoko (The Five Bandits)" appear in a Kabuki performance as an object. When a smartphone installed with Panasonic's LinkRay app(*2) is touched in front of a "light box" hidden near " The Five Bandits," a special favor in the form of digital content with a "Japanese harmony motif" is received.

Different favor content can be received from each of the light boxes for the five objects, so tourists can enjoy themselves strolling around the shops and experiencing the unique atmosphere of Asakusa and collecting the favor content.

During the period of the event, ninja are also appearing(*3) in the shopping zone to explain the details of the event and the LinkRay app to the tourists.

Panasonic will utilize LinkRay as a new form of communication, and with 2020 approaching, LinkRay will be available in airports, train stations, and other sightseeing locations to offer services and new solutions for breaking down the language barrier for overseas tourists.

"Ninja's Mission with LinkRay" event overview

Duration:
December 26, 2017 to January 31, 2018
(Please be advised that the event duration may change without advance notice.)
Location:
Asakusa's Dembo-in Dori (East Side) / Dembo-in Dori East Shopping Association [MAP]
Organizer:
Panasonic Corporation
Collaboration:
Dembo-in Dori East Shopping Association, KAYAC Inc.
Ninja's Mission home page:
https://ninjas-mission.com/

*1 LinkRay utilizes Panasonic's LightID technology to scan (record with the camera of a smartphone in which a special app is installed) illumination and lights (LED lights) positioned in various places around town. This is an information solution for the user. The app for this event matches the language set for the smartphone: Japanese, English, Chinese (traditional and simplified), or Korean.

*3 The schedule for ninja appearance is irregular.

About KAYAC

Established in 1998, KAYAC creates web services as well as original contents for the web, a variety of smartphone games like the series "Bokura no Koshien" and operates the game community "Lobi" for the players. KAYAC also provides a vast variety of services like the orchestra "JAGMO", or the funeral service "Kamakura Jitaku Soshikisha".
KAYAC received multiple awards from the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, the YAHOO! Japan Internet Creative Award or from the Japan Media Arts Festival held by Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs.
KAYAC is also well known for its unique work style and career development for its employees.
KAYAC is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange since December 2012.

About the Dembo-in Dori East Shopping Association

The Dembo-in Dori East Shopping Association is located in Asakusa 1-2-Chome, in an area that extends approximately 100 meters west-to-east, from Nakamise-Dori to the west and Umamichi-Dori to the east.