Renewal of Obi Castle Historical Museum

Obi in Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture, is a castle town that has been preserved as an important traditional building preservation district with scenic beauty dating back to the feudal era. It is undergoing revitalization through private sector initiatives, such as the construction of a hotel converted from a former samurai residence.
This project aims to enhance visitors' intellectual curiosity and satisfaction with their stay, and encourage them to explore Obi, by renovating the locally renowned Komura Jutaro Memorial Museum and Obi Castle Historical Museum with a "50% displays + 50% sightseeing" concept.
The Obi Castle Historical Museum's renovation shifts from a passive, document-based displays to an experiential approach that emphasizes hands-on learning and storytelling. The new displays make local information about Obi Castle, the Obi Domain, and the Ito family (the feudal lords) easier to understand and provide more accessible links to related nearby attractions.
We have devised lighting and displays to beautifully showcase the valuable collection of swordsmith Inoue Shinkai.
Furthermore, we are implementing measures to improve the frequency of information updates through "information lines" and bulletin boards.
Furthermore, this project is based on the concept of "A town-wide museum created by everyone," and displays are created together with citizens throughout the year. This facility also incorporates the results of children's workshops into displays, connecting them to people exploring the town.

① We want to shift from displays that are primarily document-based to interactive displays that emphasize experiences and storytelling, making them easier to understand, more enjoyable, and encouraging visitors to explore the area.
② We want to actively utilize this facility to promote sightseeing around the town (Obi Castle Town), and use it as a base for sightseeing to increase visitor numbers and provide guidance.
③ We want this facility to contribute to the future recovery of inbound tourism, the ability to accommodate group tours such as school trips from within and outside the prefecture, and to extending the length of stay.
④ We will pursue the appeal and enjoyment of the facility so that visitors can easily enjoy themselves even on rainy days.

To clearly convey the appeal of local cultural resources such as Obi Castle, the castle town, the Ito family residence, and the Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, we have introduced displays that enhance the experiential and narrative aspects that were previously lacking.
The exhibition will shift from primarily documentary displays to include projection mapping, hands-on experiences with the weight of swords and matchlock guns, and a video about the origins of the Ito family, the feudal lords, making it an enjoyable and easy-to-understand displays to experience the unique history and culture of Obi.
- The tall display case for the female vehicle that was in the center of displays room has been removed, creating a more spacious and comfortable displays area, improving viewing and navigating the exhibits.
・In creating displays, we received cooperation from various community groups, who helped with graphic concept design and video production to convey the charm of the region.
These projects are realized through a collaboration between NOMURA Co.,Ltd., Ltd., Smiles Inc. (creating experiential value), and a local concept design firm (pursuing the unique character of Obi).