On Apr. 22 Fukuoka City will begin offering guided tours of the Fukuoka Castle ruins using tablet computers that display 3-D graphic reconstructions of the castle and Korokan. The City wants visitors to “experience the castle atmosphere”, and the new system will let users walk through the ruins while enjoying graphic renderings of the castle buildings, including the contentious castle keep that some claim may have never existed. The City has been making efforts to make the castle ruins a more attractive tourist site, but since most of the buildings no longer exist, reconstruction would require a great deal of time and money. This is one reason City Hall decided to develop the virtual tour software to the tune of ¥37.8 million. 20 x 13.5cm tablets equipped with GPS will be loaned to those who join tours conducted by volunteer guides. The tablets contain 360-degree panoramic renderings of 110 locations throughout the castle ruins as well as virtual reconstructions of 17 buildings. Tours for two courses will be held once a day on weekdays and twice a day on weekends and holidays. Each tour will be limited to 10 participants and will last about two hours. Users are asked to reserve spots at least five days in advance. Tours cost ¥500 and children of elementary school age and younger are free. Call or fax the Fukuoka Castle Ruins Visitor Center for reservations (Tel: 092-732-4801 / Fax: 092-732-4802). Source: Nishinippon Shimbun, Apr. 13
