Akita DAO Use Case: Digital Touji with Hokutolite

Tamagawa Onsen in Akita Prefecture has long been renowned as a center of touji (therapeutic hot spring treatment) culture due to its unique environment and health benefits. Its natural radioactive stone, Hokutolite, is especially prized for its hormesis effect, which can help promote health and wellness. However, due to Tamagawa Onsen’s remote location and the need for long-term stays to experience its full benefits, not everyone can access this special healing experience. In response to this challenge, Akita DAO has proposed an innovative project, “Digital Touji Experience”, which combines local resources like Hokutolite with digital technology to make Akita’s touji culture accessible to people around the world. This project also introduces a new way to support local businesses through the online sale of Hokutolite products, creating a sustainable economic model for the region.

1. What is Digital Touji?

Digital Touji is a new type of tourism experience that allows people to enjoy the benefits of Akita’s touji culture through virtual spaces and real-world products. First, the project will digitally recreate Tamagawa Onsen in a virtual environment, allowing participants to explore the site with their avatars, learn about the history and scientific properties of Hokutolite, and virtually experience the hot spring’s atmosphere. For example, participants can visit the digital version of the Hormesis Room, a special space lined with Hokutolite stones, to visualize the unique properties of the stones and understand their impact on health.

In this virtual world, users can interact with a digital guide who explains the healing properties of Tamagawa’s highly acidic hot spring water and the effects of Hokutolite, giving them a comprehensive view of the benefits of traditional touji. As they explore, users collect digital items and tokens, such as a “Digital Touji Guide NFT,” which serves as a gateway to access exclusive areas and educational content. By combining gamified elements and real-world benefits, the Digital Touji experience becomes an engaging and educational journey.

2. Integrating Real Hokutolite Products with the Digital Experience

The most unique aspect of the Digital Touji project is the combination of virtual experiences with the sale of real Hokutolite products. Due to its rarity and reputed health benefits, Hokutolite has high value and demand. To capitalize on this, Akita DAO will offer the following opportunities:

• “Hokutolite Experience Kits” for Sale Online
During or after the virtual touji session, participants can purchase a variety of Hokutolite items, such as accessories, bath salts, or hormesis mats. These products, branded as “Hokutolite Experience Kits,” will allow users to continue enjoying the effects of Hokutolite at home. They can even use these products while revisiting the digital Hormesis Room to enhance their immersion and understanding.
• “Hormesis Room Booking Rights”
By collecting specific Hokutolite NFTs during their digital journey, participants can unlock special privileges, such as booking time in the real Hormesis Room at Tamagawa Onsen or receiving an upgrade for their stay. This encourages virtual visitors to make a real-world connection and enhances their desire to visit the actual location.
• Limited Hokutolite Sales Events
Akita DAO members will have access to limited Hokutolite sales events, where they can purchase rare stones with unique digital certificates to authenticate their origin. This approach leverages the collector’s value of both digital and physical assets, making the experience more meaningful and rewarding.

3. A Holistic Wellness Program Combining Health and Digital Innovation

Digital Touji is not just a tourism initiative; it is designed as a holistic wellness program that integrates health management and digital technologies. Through the program, users can track their touji sessions, record health data, and receive personalized wellness recommendations.

• “Virtual Hokutolite Meditation Sessions”
One feature of the virtual Tamagawa Onsen is a dedicated meditation room where users can listen to the natural sounds of the hot springs while surrounded by glowing representations of Hokutolite. Using calming binaural audio, participants can achieve a state of relaxation and mindfulness. The digital representation of the stone’s radiation effect is visualized as soothing waves and colors, enhancing the mental benefits of meditation.
• “Hormesis Life Logs”
Users can record the duration of their sessions in the virtual Hormesis Room, log their perceived stress reduction, and even track the digital touji treatments they’ve experienced. This data is stored as a “Hormesis Life Log” and can be used to provide customized health recommendations based on their virtual experiences.

By combining real-world and digital elements, Digital Touji aims to provide a new way for participants to enjoy and understand the benefits of touji. The program’s comprehensive tracking and data collection allow users to build a complete wellness profile that goes beyond a one-time experience.

4. Economic Impact on the Local Community and Future Prospects

The Digital Touji project not only raises awareness of Tamagawa Onsen’s unique properties but also drives real-world visits and product sales, thus supporting local businesses and communities. The online sale of Hokutolite products and the introduction of new health-oriented kits can attract wellness enthusiasts from all over the world, providing a new revenue stream for the region. By integrating digital experiences with physical health products, Akita DAO is creating a unique “Digital Wellness Ecosystem” that extends beyond traditional tourism.

Moreover, by entering the global wellness market, Akita DAO aims to position Tamagawa Onsen as a world-class wellness destination, increasing both brand value and economic sustainability. This strategy will elevate the international profile of Akita’s hot springs, opening the door to partnerships with wellness brands and health-conscious communities worldwide.

5. Combining the Digital and the Physical for a Sustainable Tourism Model

The Digital Touji Experience project redefines Akita’s traditional touji culture by merging it with digital technology, creating a bridge between the local community and a global audience. Through this initiative, virtual visitors become stakeholders, or Digital Kenmin (Akitarian), contributing to the growth and future of Akita. The seamless integration of virtual tours, NFTs, and physical products offers an innovative way to experience wellness while supporting local heritage.

By making Akita’s cultural resources accessible to a broader audience, Akita DAO ensures that Tamagawa Onsen’s healing traditions are preserved and promoted worldwide. With plans to expand the digital wellness ecosystem around Hokutolite, Akita DAO is poised to shape the future of regional tourism by blending physical and digital worlds, ultimately creating a sustainable and engaging experience for all.