Seven Municipalities Across Japan Sell "Ambassador" Digital Resident NFT Cards Featuring Popular Cosplayers Enako, Umi Shinonome, Eiri and Others as Regional Revitalization Ambassadors

On HEXA, seven local governments across Japan, the Public-Private Partnership Promotion Organization, GMTS and PP Enterprise have launched a regional revitalization project aimed at "expanding the related population through cosplayers" — related population meaning people who maintain an ongoing connection to a region without living there.

The Public-Private Partnership Promotion Organization (a general incorporated association based in Minato City, Tokyo, led by its representative director; hereinafter "C+G"), which works with 420 municipalities nationwide, has launched the "Cosplayers Energize Japan!" project to help local governments expand their related populations. It is working with seven municipalities across Japan together with PP Enterprise Co., Ltd. (Setagaya City, Tokyo; representative: Yokyun), the agency of popular cosplayers Enako, Umi Shinonome, Eiri and others, and six C+G member companies engaged in regional revitalization.

Popular cosplayers appear in "regional co-creation costumes" inspired by each region in the "Digital Resident NFT Ambassador Cards," which are offered after prayers at shrines and temples in each region. Applications open on HEXA, one of Japan's largest NFT marketplaces, starting with Nachikatsuura Town, Wakayama Prefecture, on November 15 (Fri), followed by the other municipalities in turn.

See the Digital Resident NFT Ambassador Cards here

The press conference in the auditorium of the House of Councillors Members' Office Building

At the press conference held on November 7, 2024 (Thu) in the auditorium of the House of Councillors Members' Office Building, before a large gathering of reporters, Kentaro Asahi, Member of the House of Councillors and Parliamentary Vice-Minister of the Environment; the mayors of Uda City, Nara Prefecture, Nachikatsuura Town, Wakayama Prefecture, Otsuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture, and Kamigori Town, Hyogo Prefecture; and popular cosplayers Enako (2.5 million social media/YouTube followers), Umi Shinonome (1.5 million social media/YouTube followers) and Eiri (265,000 social media/YouTube followers) promoted the appeal of the "Ambassador" digital resident NFT cards.

See the Digital Resident NFT Ambassador Cards here

Digital Resident NFT Ambassador Card: project overview

(1) "Municipal NFTs" are drawing attention as a new way for local governments to secure revenue, following furusato nozei (hometown tax donation). To "grow the region's fan base," the cards feature popular cosplayers wearing "regional co-creation costumes" at local shrines, temples and other attractions, designed as goddesses bestowing power.

(2) Each municipality devises and offers "perks for digital residents" that can be used when visiting. Plans include installing cosplayer "visit monuments" and, next fiscal year, events featuring the cosplayers and joint product development between local businesses and cosplayers. Digital residents will be the first to hear as soon as these are decided, with the aim of increasing tourists and drawing attention to furusato nozei return gifts and more.

(3) The "Digital Resident NFT Ambassador Cards" are offered after prayers are made to the enshrined deities of shrines and temples in each region for digital residents' "better financial fortune," "good health" and "fulfillment of their great wishes," among others.

- Nachikatsuura Town, Wakayama Prefecture: Kumano Nachi Taisha (Musubi-no-miya; god of guidance, god of victory)

- Uda City, Nara Prefecture: Muro Ryuketsu Shrine (dragon god "Zennyo Ryuo"; Japan's most powerful power spot)

- Joyo City, Kyoto Prefecture: Kinunui Shrine (gods of sewing "Onui-no-Mikoto and Konui-no-Mikoto")

- Kamigori Town, Hyogo Prefecture: Takamine Shrine (enshrines "Susanoo-no-Mikoto" and his family)

- Mashiko Town, Tochigi Prefecture: Saimyoji Temple (the "Laughing Enma" who saves people)

- Otsuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture: Joshoji Temple of Chujuzan (health and longevity, family harmony)

- Fujikawa Town, Yamanashi Prefecture: Himuro Shrine (Miketsu-no-Kami, Ukanomitama-no-Mikoto, Wakamusubi-no-Mikoto)

(4) Half of the proceeds from the "Digital Resident NFT Ambassador Cards" will be donated to each municipality by C+G member companies through corporate furusato nozei, to be used at each municipality's discretion for regional development.

Regional revitalization ambassadors

Popular cosplayers who have become regional revitalization ambassadors appear on the Digital Resident NFT Ambassador Cards

- Popular cosplayer Enako (2.5 million social media/YouTube followers)

- Popular cosplayer Umi Shinonome (1.5 million social media/YouTube followers)

- Popular cosplayer Kokoro Shinozaki (700,000 social media followers)

- Popular cosplayer Eiri (265,000 social media/YouTube followers), and others

See the Digital Resident NFT Ambassador Cards here

Participating municipality / application start / shooting locations

(Part 1) Applications open November 15, 2024 (Fri), from 18:00

- Nachikatsuura Town, Wakayama Prefecture: Kumano Nachi Taisha, Nachi Falls, Daimonzaka slope on the Kumano Kodo

(Part 2) Applications open December 5, 2024 (Thu), from 18:00

- Uda City, Nara Prefecture: Muro Ryuketsu Shrine, the Well of Heaven, Muro Sanjo Park

(Part 3) Applications open December 12, 2024 (Thu), from 18:00

- Joyo City, Kyoto Prefecture: Kinunui Shrine and more

- Kamigori Town, Hyogo Prefecture: Takamine Shrine, Shirahata Castle, hana Terrace

(Part 4) Applications open December 19, 2024 (Thu), from 18:00

- Otsuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture: Saruhashi Bridge of Kai

- Fujikawa Town, Yamanashi Prefecture: Himuro Shrine, Hiizuru-no-Sato

- Mashiko Town, Tochigi Prefecture: Saimyoji Temple, Mashiko Yuwakan

See the Digital Resident NFT Ambassador Cards here

Perks for digital residents of each municipality

(1) Nachikatsuura Town, Wakayama Prefecture

1. Cheering messages offered via a dedicated LINE account

- Before international matches of Japan's national soccer team, cheering messages are collected through the LINE account for digital residents and offered at Kumano Nachi Taisha (free of charge until the end of March 2026)

2. Digital-resident-only perks you can use when visiting Nachikatsuura Town.

- A "Nanki Kuroshio Society of Commerce and Industry gift certificate worth ¥500" (once a year)

- Free invitation to the viewing area for the KAIROS rocket launch (special seating; 50 people chosen by lottery)

- Free invitation to the viewing area for the KAIROS rocket launch (general seating; 100 people chosen by lottery)

- A hot spring hopping ticket (price ¥1,500) (once a year) *4K applicants only

3. Advance notice for digital residents

- As soon as appearances at municipal events, photo sessions, early releases of produced goods and so on by the "popular cosplayers" featured on the NFT cards are decided, digital residents will be the first to know via the dedicated LINE account.

See the Digital Resident NFT Ambassador Cards here

(2) Uda City, Nara Prefecture

1. Remote offerings via a dedicated LINE account

- "Remote offerings" are provided free of charge until the end of March 2026: prayers for "victory," "passing exams," "career success and good fortune," "better financial fortune" and more are collected through the LINE account for digital residents and offered at Muro Ryuketsu Shrine, known as "the most powerful power spot," home to Japan's dragon king.

2. Digital-resident-only perks you can use when visiting Uda City.

- Muro Sanjo Park (admission ¥410 → free)

- Kaede no Sato Hirara (20% off the basic facility fee)

- Half price on day-trip bathing at the "beauty bath" Miharu Onsen and at Ouda Onsen "Akino no Yu"

3. Advance notice for digital residents

(3) Joyo City, Kyoto Prefecture

1. Remote offerings via a dedicated LINE account

- Wishes are collected through the LINE account for digital residents and offered at Kinunui Shrine, which enshrines the gods of sewing "Onui-no-Mikoto and Konui-no-Mikoto." Provided free of charge until the end of March 2026.

2. Digital-resident-only perks you can use when visiting Joyo City.

- The residents-only plan applies to stays at LOGOS LAND (save more than ¥5,000 at most)

*Other perks are being arranged

3. Advance notice for digital residents

(4) Kamigori Town, Hyogo Prefecture

1. Remote offerings via a dedicated LINE account

- Prayers for "family harmony," "abundant harvests," "good relationships" and more are collected through the LINE account for digital residents and offered at Takamine Shrine, famous as a rare shrine that enshrines "Susanoo-no-Mikoto" and his family.

"Remote offerings" are provided until the end of March 2026 (the offering fee is included in the price of the digital resident card).

2. Digital-resident-only perks you can use when visiting Kamigori Town.

- Perk for visitors to Takamine Shrine: the shrine's "pachika goshuin" (seal stamp) for ¥300, ¥500 off.

- ¥500 off the cosplayer visit commemorative menu at the restaurant hana Terrace (limited time).

- A free ema (votive plaque) of Shirahata Castle, the "castle that never fell" (worth ¥500).

- ¥500 off at restaurants in Kamigori Town (tourism association member shops that welcome digital residents).

3. Advance notice for digital residents

(5) Mashiko Town, Tochigi Prefecture

1. Remote offerings via a dedicated LINE account

2. Digital-resident-only perks you can use when visiting Mashiko Town.

- Saimyoji Temple's Enma-version goshuin (seal stamp) for ¥1,000 instead of ¥1,500

- Free admission to the Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art (normally ¥600)

- A ¥500 gift certificate for the roadside station (michi-no-eki) Mashiko

3. Advance notice for digital residents

(6) Otsuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture

1. Remote offerings via a dedicated LINE account

- "Remote offerings" are provided free of charge until the end of March 2026: prayers for "victory," "health," "good health and safety" and more are collected through the LINE account for digital residents and offered at Yakuo Daigongen, where Momotaro's peach is said to be kept and which is affectionately known as the Momotaro Shrine. In addition, for digital residents, at the Setsubun ceremony scheduled for February 3,

a prayer to ward off misfortune will also be performed before the content is delivered.

2. Digital-resident-only perks you can use when visiting Otsuki City.

- One free "special soft-serve ice cream" at Daikokuya by the Saruhashi Bridge of Kai

- One free cup of drip "Otsuki Roast Shurei Fugaku 12 Views Coffee" at the Otsuki Tourism Association

- A "Saruhashi scenery clear file folder" at the Otsuki Tourism Association

- "Momotaro Drops" candy at the Otsuki Tourism Association

3. Advance notice for digital residents

(7) Fujikawa Town, Yamanashi Prefecture

1. Remote offerings via a dedicated LINE account

- "Remote offerings" are provided free of charge until the end of March 2026: digital residents' wishes are collected through their dedicated LINE account and offered at Himuro Shrine, which sits at an altitude of about 1,000 m and is known for its ties to the Takeda clan and Tokugawa Ieyasu.

2. Digital-resident-only perks you can use when visiting Fujikawa Town.

- A free soft drink or ice cream at "Misaki Kosha"

- An extra "yuzu souvenir" with the yuzu-picking experience at Hiizuru-no-Sato

- Discounted bathing fees at the hot spring facilities "Mahora no Yu" and "Kajika no Yu"

- Free parking at the Daihoshi Sakura Festival (late March to early April)

3. Advance notice for digital residents

See the Digital Resident NFT Ambassador Cards here