[Nagasaki is filled with amazing events!] Enjoy the Rayquaza Dragon Dance and more while sightseeing in Nagasaki! Wild Area Nagasaki Participation Report
This time, I participated in the Pokemon GO Wild Area Nagasaki, so here is my report!
Conclusion: "I enjoyed playing Pokémon GO while sightseeing in Nagasaki with my kids! I highly recommend sightseeing in Nagasaki on foot!"
An event has occurred in Nagasaki that has changed the
cityscape with a large number of lonely figures walking around with
their heads down and smartphones in one hand, swiping their screens!
When many people hear the term "Pokemon GO trainer," they may
imagine someone who is a little removed from the real world!
However, the "Pokemon GO Wild Area Nagasaki" held in Nagasaki
City on November 7th, 8th, and 9th, 2025, was a real hit!
Truly, the excitement was groundbreaking!
It wasn't just a gaming event, but a completely new social
phenomenon that combined the city of Nagasaki, its rich culture, and the
enthusiasm of the people who gathered there!
From the perspective of a digital content strategist, we'll explain four surprising findings from the event.
1. It wasn't a game. The entire city became a huge "celebratory space."
During the event, the entire city of Nagasaki was transformed into a huge festival venue!
Major spots such as Mizube no Mori Park, Nagasaki Stadium
City, and Shinchi Chinatown were filled with such excitement that the
phrase "there are so many people" was heard many times!
Men and women of all ages wearing Pikachu and Ampharos hats
filled the streets, and their uniform appearance created a strong sense
of unity as a temporary city-wide "ingroup"!
There will be music playing constantly at the venue, food
trucks will be set up, and a giant Pikachu balloon will appear in Mizube
no Mori Park!
![[Nagasaki is filled with amazing events!] Enjoy the Rayquaza Dragon Dance and more while sightseeing in Nagasaki! Wild Area Nagasaki Participation Report](https://translate.google.com/website?sl=auto&tl=ja&hl=ja&u=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuICQEEc7c1mcrnELomQBFp5Mc5OaqKU-X99wzzY1EQOFH9zDrl4JexPrhCAOid7LGLvWpLtb_Rg4ZnKdDZ19AxxRl7mSx7_Mq4NSagXnHeMmdiK8F7zid8g_V1ekBEurmMIMWPG46mzX4q56dmmsitquTOs4mwrJ_1TAE0u9KVRVcPYWLuv_KEuUj_Wg/s3840/PXL_20251108_031306829.jpg "[Nagasaki is filled with amazing events!] Enjoy the Rayquaza Dragon Dance and more while sightseeing in Nagasaki! Wild Area Nagasaki Participation Report")
Even the large clock at Nagasaki Station has been redesigned to reflect Pokémon GO!
This is no longer passive gameplay where you face the screen!
It was an active, visible public "celebration" that drew
people out into the city and allowed them to share space with a common
purpose (laughs).
Its overwhelming ability to attract customers is best explained by the following comment heard in Shinchi Chinatown:
"Oh, it's almost as crowded as the Lantern Festival (laughs)."
It was as lively as Nagasaki's biggest traditional event (lol)
This was the moment when games were elevated to a shared experience set in urban space.
2. Strategic Fusion of Pokémon and Traditional Culture: "Rayquaza's Dragon Dance"
If there was one highlight that symbolized the value of this
event, it would be the "Rayquaza Dragon Dance" performed at the
Nagasaki Prefectural Government Office!
This was an unprecedented attempt, in which a dragon based
on the legendary Pokémon Rayquaza danced heroically as part of the
traditional Nagasaki performing art of the dragon dance (Jaodori)!
The true value of this initiative is that it goes far beyond just a character show!
This was an extremely sophisticated cultural strategy,
mapping the "myth" of global digital content (legendary Pokémon) onto
the traditional cultural styles that are deeply rooted in the region!
This fusion benefits both parties!
Rather than simply providing content to be consumed, Pokémon
GO has achieved cultural legitimacy by paying homage to local culture
and creating a unique experience that can never be replicated anywhere
else.
Meanwhile, Nagasaki has a golden opportunity to showcase its
proud traditional performing arts in the most contemporary and engaging
context possible to a huge global audience with which it has never had
contact before!
This is a rare and successful example of a model for co-creating digital IP and local cultural heritage!
3. The best way to see Nagasaki is on foot. The golden route for touring the city implemented in the game
Nagasaki is known as the "city of hills," so it's natural to think that a tram is essential to enjoying the events!
However, as a level 10 Google Local Guide, I surprisingly came to the conclusion that walking was the best solution!
The main venues of the event were cleverly placed along a
6.8km circular route that took in Nagasaki Stadium City, the starting
point, and Nagasaki Station, the Prefectural Office, Dejima, Mizube no
Mori Park, Chinatown, Meganebashi Bridge, and more!
<Spot name>
1 Nagasaki Stadium City (Start)
2 Nagasaki Station
3Nagasaki Prefectural Office Onoue Hill
4Platanus Square
5 Dejima Wharf
6 Mizube no Mori Park ⇒ via Dutch Slope
7 Shinchibashi Square
8 Former Prefectural Office Site
9 Hamanomachi Arcade
10 眼鏡橋
11 City Hall
12 Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture
13 Nagasaki Station (Finish Line)
This is an excellent "incentive design" that naturally
guides players' behavior and allows them to experience the charm of the
city to the fullest!
![[Nagasaki is filled with amazing events!] Enjoy the Rayquaza Dragon Dance and more while sightseeing in Nagasaki! Wild Area Nagasaki Participation Report](https://translate.google.com/website?sl=auto&tl=ja&hl=ja&u=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBS0AVbnOI680usVSsNzMlGqGbUwiZGZMhN5JtE2NZ9oXsT9jxd6r2LA3yliuMBgWm07obuN8eTolOz-sAZaik3_Ic9bXtq8zZUmeaxcXxhz2yiVx0vu7KE50GCayyunzf5XDoZUqqBnOvDG1uufvX6EwtsS1OKSfQlHOpMovlnlljSRJXrOsy24BNHU/s3840/PXL_20251108_010230452.jpg "[Nagasaki is filled with amazing events!] Enjoy the Rayquaza Dragon Dance and more while sightseeing in Nagasaki! Wild Area Nagasaki Participation Report")
Avoiding crowded public transport and walking along the
game's destinations turned out to be the golden route for enjoying the
event and experiencing the city of Nagasaki in the most efficient way!
![[Nagasaki is filled with amazing events!] Enjoy the Rayquaza Dragon Dance and more while sightseeing in Nagasaki! Wild Area Nagasaki Participation Report](https://translate.google.com/website?sl=auto&tl=ja&hl=ja&u=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJRIuFkaancRMdrqUUmEGIqTuKffckpQtfwkpm_CYGDg6Y_IkdyyGhkvyfl46g6hzSnbL1OtHhW7oOtEZOtTLiV4Dw0HtKIvFnz3AcVy6mSTClhoaB5noN52hxqcJgPFIdzSmNZTrw7n7TxUSq7IDdYI7DtfSyqBAHk1J7o-8OAeiQr4DBN-BfVPEjhY/s3840/PXL_20251108_051937205.jpg "[Nagasaki is filled with amazing events!] Enjoy the Rayquaza Dragon Dance and more while sightseeing in Nagasaki! Wild Area Nagasaki Participation Report")
This "gamified urban exploration" functioned as a perfect
walking tour, immersing players in the game and unwittingly touching
upon Nagasaki's diverse history and culture of "Wa, Ka, Ran (Japan,
China, and the Netherlands)." This model should provide a powerful hint
for any city to increase mobility for tourists and residents!
![[Nagasaki is filled with amazing events!] Enjoy the Rayquaza Dragon Dance and more while sightseeing in Nagasaki! Wild Area Nagasaki Participation Report](https://translate.google.com/website?sl=auto&tl=ja&hl=ja&u=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhug0V659jyF9mOrsCT5Q5TdlNswrzHN4eHB-MGiQW1cPOpnMue4HLoGVERqEORAV-zKqImcm78cFGNqeLqioU1dCq9ZyUBX-eiAKs-W-CQEtxL6sRoOBF2i14z2MCGxdZxS9r-C0WetseoWS63qgPCq-At3Z4dJRtuPCULOYiQmBonj29ilF9ocCW0S_s/s3840/PXL_20251108_060843838.jpg "[Nagasaki is filled with amazing events!] Enjoy the Rayquaza Dragon Dance and more while sightseeing in Nagasaki! Wild Area Nagasaki Participation Report")
4. An enthusiastic community that brings back even "retired" players
Perhaps the true value of this event lies not in the game
mechanics, but in the power of the community that connects people!
"I'm retired from Pokémon GO, but these events are fun."
This one word is full of extremely important implications!
![[Nagasaki is filled with amazing events!] Enjoy the Rayquaza Dragon Dance and more while sightseeing in Nagasaki! Wild Area Nagasaki Participation Report](https://translate.google.com/website?sl=auto&tl=ja&hl=ja&u=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCCpKeQ71u9ULsxgzaIPHKb4XlSqgfz0l675pMuDPJoFPw5tRcHsaQugKqYTTdcwy1mQULF1LUB9gd5KXsST04XZ-xZ24BsQ4JNVGHLbGibmROYcwN6w6a5MVq4ofhUS9mHJtfg1ucxlumxg50OtMLq2KREcUFYz5iNe7hoeoFptdvSam8J0cXsZHSHQ/s3840/PXL_20251108_063006775.jpg "[Nagasaki is filled with amazing events!] Enjoy the Rayquaza Dragon Dance and more while sightseeing in Nagasaki! Wild Area Nagasaki Participation Report")
What caught my interest wasn't the game's everyday tasks
(mechanics) that had initially caused me to leave, but the festive,
extraordinary space (social spectacle)!
The event itself took center stage, and the game served as a
powerful interface for people to meet, connect, and build shared
memories in real life!
This is a crucial strategic lesson for any long-term "live service game"!
![[Nagasaki is filled with amazing events!] Enjoy the Rayquaza Dragon Dance and more while sightseeing in Nagasaki! Wild Area Nagasaki Participation Report](https://translate.google.com/website?sl=auto&tl=ja&hl=ja&u=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWolHuwRE7l91WbXxWQ1y_3h1j_QBX0tJ7OvbG30LjeMGX7XTkW_yQs7MX9OemELrcX-Ht-hhDznIJb99is7hgIytstyFloXY8067hmdwFsUX3uAcKNDSBbRFwB0_g4a9c8neU51o4LWr4TFbzwihiWT7jkfZPDMTZ6zJrwtsWrTbQS_byRPQhEitj2c/s3840/PXL_20251108_031318045.jpg "[Nagasaki is filled with amazing events!] Enjoy the Rayquaza Dragon Dance and more while sightseeing in Nagasaki! Wild Area Nagasaki Participation Report")
It proves that passionate real-world experiences shared can
be a more powerful catalyst for awakening dormant players and
revitalizing a community than any in-game update!
Everyone, from children to adults, walks around town wearing Pikachu hats with a smile on their face!
That spectacle was the greatest value that this event created.
Summary: Proof of concept that opens up new possibilities for cities
"Pokemon GO Wild Area Nagasaki" was more than just a gaming event!
The entire city was involved in a celebration on November
7th, 8th, and 9th, strategically fusing digital and traditional
elements, elevating urban exploration into the ultimate tourism
experience and rebuilding a strong community that connects people!
We were also very lucky that it didn't rain on any of our days!
It was a highly successful "Proof of Concept" that showed
how Augmented Reality (AR) can be integrated with cultural heritage and
the economic development of a city.
How will a future in which digital play is so deeply
connected to real urban spaces change the way we enjoy our cities?
The scenes that Nagasaki showed us certainly gave us a glimpse of a future full of possibilities.
![[Nagasaki is filled with amazing events!] Enjoy the Rayquaza Dragon Dance and more while sightseeing in Nagasaki! Wild Area Nagasaki Participation Report](https://translate.google.com/website?sl=auto&tl=ja&hl=ja&u=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpfDzk6uztzdTRa-rleGoRNokrYiF-Z-0S3bfkGTp3Le4xRfSEBhUe8k98SnsB4v2LwD1FOovlwEUtI37kX9jhJAQDPZ2c3JSz9IVZMnrNDjRkphhWOdy7dYgIq3neUmJAa2XQfNqFTU2Lzp9ZDsZ8BwwiKVqcj3B4BCJ8ujqFx3KNzJGzZSk3rLkzU4/s3840/PXL_20251108_064459412.jpg "[Nagasaki is filled with amazing events!] Enjoy the Rayquaza Dragon Dance and more while sightseeing in Nagasaki! Wild Area Nagasaki Participation Report")
Thank you for reading to the end!
We are very happy to share this information, so please come visit Nagasaki!
Thank you for your continued support!
