Shibuya Web3 University Season 2, Event #3 (34th Overall)[8ships & Sanrio Seminar]"Web3 × Entertainment: Creating a Future of Connected Experiences"Exploring New Possibilities for Merging Physical
- 渋谷Web3大学
- Nov 13
- 7 min read
[Seminar featuring 8ships and Sanrio] "Web3 × Entertainment: Creating a Future of Connected Experiences"
~Exploring New Possibilities for Merging Physical and Digital — Insights from RIZE3x EXPO~
Shibuya Web3 University Season 2, Event #3 (34th Overall)
This is an in-person event (no online streaming available)
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■ Message for Season 2, Event #3
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What RIZE3x EXPO Revealed
From August 30 to September 21, 2024, "RIZE3x EXPO" took place across Osaka. This 23-day urban adventure festival unfolded at 500 locations throughout Osaka Prefecture.
What 8ships achieved was "merging technology with storytelling to connect real experiences with digital." CEO Terry Tomonaga's vision: "I want people to enjoy the process where one experience leads to the next." Experiences generate experiences, creating forward-looking connections.
Nochi Noji from Sanrio's Digital Business Development Department, who participated, shared: "We aim to deliver new entertainment experiences to people of all generations."
Rebranding the Term "Web3"
For two and a half years, Shibuya Web3 University has engaged with the term "Web3." Negative perceptions, loss of presence — yet this doesn't mean Web3's potential has been lost. Technology simply advanced ahead, while discussions about essential value creation fell behind.
Season 2 is the execution phase of rebranding "Web3" as a term connected to people's hopes and the realization of the future.
Creating the Future with Practitioners
This event is a valuable debriefing session following RIZE3x EXPO. From the authentic voices of practitioners who actually planned, operated, and participated, we'll learn about experience design that merges physical and digital, methods for deeply communicating culture that isn't yet widely known, and mechanisms where one experience connects to the next.
Our speaker Nochi is a member of Shibuya Web3 University's Create Course. Practitioners who feel the same things and envision the same future gather, learn together, and create together.
Shibuya Web3 University is becoming such a place.
Let's think about this together.
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■ Recommended For
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Executive Leaders & Business Heads
✓ Those considering Web3 or XR technology adoption in your organization
✓ Those wanting to create new customer experiences through entertainment × technology
✓ Those driving digital transformation in your organization
Planning & Marketing Professionals
✓ Those seeking insights for experience design merging physical and digital
✓ Those wanting to learn from large-scale event planning and operational expertise
✓ Those interested in concrete examples of Web3 utilization for your brand
Practitioners & Challengers
✓ Those taking on new businesses or projects
✓ Those wanting to connect with peers who envision the same future
✓ Those interested in Shibuya Web3 University's Create Course
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■ Event Details**
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Date & Time: Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 18:00-20:30 (Doors open 17:00)
Entry will not be permitted after 19:30
Venue: WeWork, 45F Shibuya Scramble Square
Address: 2-24-12 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (Direct connection to Shibuya Station)
Capacity: 90 attendees (approval required)
Admission: Free
Required: One business card *Please bring your business card. It will be used to create your name tag.
Beverages provided (2 types of craft beer, coffee, tea)
Beverages are self-service. No meals provided.
Important Notes:
This event requires participation approval. Approved participants will receive an approval/venue entry email sent to the address provided during event registration, starting one week before the event. Please ensure your email address is entered correctly, as errors will prevent venue entry. If emails are undeliverable, we may contact you via Peatix messaging.
Due to limited capacity, if you need to cancel, please notify us via Peatix message at least 2 days in advance.
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■ Program
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18:00-18:15 Opening
18:15-18:40 Session 1: 8ships' Vision - Why, For What Purpose, and Where Are We Headed?
18:40-19:00 Session 2: RIZE3x EXPO Implementation Report - Behind the Scenes and Learnings
19:00-19:20 Session 3: Sanrio's Challenge - Delivering New Entertainment Experiences
19:20-19:45 Panel Discussion "How Do We Create a Future of Connected Experiences?"
19:45-19:50 Closing
19:50-20:30 Networking
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■ Speakers
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Session 1: 8ships' Vision - Why, For What Purpose, and Where Are We Headed?
What did 8ships set out to achieve? After graduating from UCLA, Terry Tomonaga merged psychology with Japanese studies, worked at Wells Fargo, and founded 8ships. The passion behind the mission to "merge technology with storytelling to connect real experiences with digital." His practice as the first Japanese official speaker at VeeCon and as Shibuya Ward's Global Ambassador. And the world realized at RIZE3x EXPO where "one experience connects to the next." He'll passionately share the journey so far and the future ahead.
Terry Tomonaga
Due to unforeseen circumstances, this session will be presented by Yuta Masui from 8ships.
8ships CEO
Joining online from the United States
CEO of US-based Web3 company "8ships." After graduating from UCLA, he uniquely merged expertise in psychology and Japanese studies to become an entrepreneur and global marketing strategist. Following the start of his career at Wells Fargo, he founded LACT, an international education company, and PID, a mentorship program. Selected as the first Japanese official speaker at VeeCon, one of America's largest Web3 conferences, he also serves as Global Ambassador for Shibuya Ward, Tokyo. He has spoken at WebX, EDCON, and other events in Japan.
▼8ships Website
Session 2: RIZE3x EXPO Implementation Report - Behind the Scenes and Learnings
A report from the operational perspective of supporting this 23-day urban adventure festival across 500 locations throughout Osaka. How art, culture, and technology were merged in the 9-story immersive space of the main venue, "RIZE TOWER." Collaboration with 16 partner companies and municipalities, and 14 universities. How diverse experiences were designed and how the mechanism of "one experience connecting to the next" was implemented. On-site challenges, unexpected reactions, lessons learned — we'll share the essence of experience design as seen from behind the operational scenes.
Yuta Masui
8ships JAPAN PARTNER RELATION
Partner Relations lead for Japan at 8ships' RIZE3x project. Responsible for partner collaboration and relationship building with educational institutions in Japan, centered on RIZE3x Expo. After graduating from university, he gained experience at DNP and in US international education business. Currently participating in the RIZE3x project at US-based Web3 company 8ships, broadcasting Japanese culture and talent not yet widely known to the world.
Session 3: Sanrio's Challenge - Delivering New Entertainment Experiences
Special footage from "Sanrio Virtual Festival" at RIZE3x EXPO. What we felt on-site, participant reactions, and what emerged from that. Sanrio's digital initiatives: VR technology "Sanrio Virtual Festival," "Oshikyun" supporting fan activities, and "HapiWell Support Team." The challenge of merging reality and virtual through XR technology to deliver new entertainment experiences to people of all generations. The Web3 possibilities that emerged through this. We haven't yet released a definitive customer-facing product. But what we know now and believe in for the future ahead. We'll speak candidly, including thoughts as a Create Course member on turning "solo entertainment" into something meaningful.
Nochi (Wataru Noji)
Sanrio Co., Ltd., Digital Business Development Department
Marketing & Alliance
Shibuya Web3 University Create Course Member
After working in Web3/SDGs business development at a commercial developer, YouTuber production company, and loyalty points company, he joined Sanrio. Currently handles alliances and marketing in XR/fan activities/Web3 domains at Sanrio. For Web3 initiatives, he organized "HapiWell Support Team" in January this year. He's enrolled in Shibuya Web3 University's Create Course and is preparing a business to turn "solo activities" into entertainment.
▼Sanrio Virtual Festival Website
▼Oshikyun Website
▼HapiWell Support Team Website
▼Nochi X
▼Nochi Facebook
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■ Panel Discussion: "How Do We Create a Future of Connected Experiences?"
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Theme 1: Why This Path — Each Person's Origin and Mission
Terry, Masui, Nochi — why did they choose this challenge? From psychology and Japanese studies to Web3, from education and media to cultural dissemination, the reasons for exploring entertainment's future at Sanrio. The passion at each person's origin, non-negotiable values, and sense of mission. We'll draw out honest perspectives they can share now.
Theme 2: In the Process of Making Ideals Real — Insights and Convictions from Practice
Visions are beautiful. But reality isn't simple. Various choices faced in the process of making ideals real, unexpected discoveries, and learnings. What did they experience and realize through RIZE3x EXPO? What emerged while Sanrio pursues new entertainment experiences in the digital domain? Convictions gained through the challenge process and the sense of next steps ahead. Real insights and perspectives that only practitioners can share.
Theme 3: The Future We Want to Create Together — With Everyone Here
The future ahead for 8ships, Sanrio, and Shibuya Web3 University. The future each aims for and what's truly needed to get there. Not technology or funding — what matters most? How to connect with people who envision the same future and co-create together? We'll think about this together, including questions from the audience.
Moderator
hajimex
President, Shibuya Web3 University
CEO, Shibuya Web3 University Co., Ltd.
▼Shibuya Web3 University Co. Website
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■ What Shibuya Web3 University Aims For
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Since our launch in March 2023, we've accumulated two and a half years of experience through 33 events and collaborations with corporations and municipalities. What we value is not "technology for technology's sake," but the perspective of "technology for people and society."
While the term "Web3" has experienced negative perceptions and loss of presence, we believe in its potential. Technology advanced ahead while essential discussions about value creation fell behind. But the inherent value that Web3 holds has not been lost.
Season 2 is the execution phase of rebranding Web3 as a term connected to people's hopes and the realization of the future. Practitioners who envision the same future gather to learn together, practice together, and create value together.
As a learning space to evolve organizations and brands from both generative AI and Web3 perspectives.
Let's push forward to the next stage together with those who resonate with us.
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■ Important Information
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Participation Approval
This event requires participation approval. Approved participants will receive a "Participation Approval/Venue Entry Instructions" email starting one week before the event.
Cancellation Policy
Due to limited capacity, if you need to cancel, please notify us via Peatix message at least 2 days in advance.
Notes
Please ensure your email address is entered correctly
Registration deadline: 21:00 the day before the event
Photography is permitted at the venue
The event will be photographed for promotional purposes
Shibuya Web3 University
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