VoxelKei has been working to create the ultimate VR map of Japan, allowing people the chance to explore an extremely detailed rendering of the entire country. Oh, and also fire massive death rays at it.
Ever want to became a kaiju like Godzilla? Well prepare to get excited, because thanks to this new virtual reality program you may be bombarding Japan with laser beams in no time at all. Created by Japanese designer VoxelKei, the program was originally designed for decidedly peaceful purposes, offering an amazing 3-D replica of Japan painstakingly developed over the course of several years. The VR interface is offered through hardware like HTC Vive or OculusRift according to the developer, giving users a more immersive experience than popular applications like Google Maps.
Now, a recent update to the program has the Internet going wild. In a Twitter video demonstrating the latest function added to the program, VoxelKei shows that you can now also fire massive, explosion-causing laser beams across the country.
▼ You too can become a kaiju!
日本列島焼き尽くすVRになってしまう。 pic.twitter.com/MrDMoTmTGl
— VoxelKei (@VoxelKei) December 19, 2016
All giant-monster mayhem aside, VoxelKei’s map also represents an impressive technical achievement, and stands as a testament to the developer’s hard work over the years. According to their website, the project began development in early 2015 and was created using a variety of resources and topographical surveys, including materials created by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan. Unlike many other digital map projects, however, VoxelKei’s VR map of Japan doesn’t rely on pasting satellite photographs over a 3-D rendered surface. Everything you see is generated in realtime using the game engine Unity.
▼ No satellite photos were used to create the map’s texture!
▼ the program even renders atmospheric effects and snowfall!
The educational potential of a tool like this seems limitless, and for those of us without money for a private jet, or omnipotent, god-like powers, it seems like a great chance to learn more about Japanese geography no matter where you live! While you’re at it, why not get one of these tiny, 3-D printed models of Tokyo too?
Sources: Hachima Kikou, Terra Japan VR
Featured image: Twitter/@VoxelKei
Insert images: Terra Japan VR (1, 2)



Japanese middle schoolers build an awesome real/VR roller coaster for their class project【Video】
VR visit to Japanese swimsuit model’s apartment provides joy for dateless men on Valentine’s Day
VR hostess cafe set to open in Japan to let you drink with cute anime girls【Video】
Lonely Japanese gamers giddy over the prospect of getting to smell girls in VR titles
Universal Studios Japan’s new Final Fantasy attraction is a VR roller coaster
Japanese company selling bear-proof automatic doors
Foreign driver’s license conversion test passes plummet from over 90% to 33% in Japan
Uniqlo Ukiyo-e Blue T-shirts: A cool-hued reinterpretation of some of Japan’s greatest paintings
Viral 3D ice creams land in Japan… but are they worth the hype?
Popular Japanese ramen restaurant Ichiran’s lucky bags are great value for money
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
Eating “adults-only” potato chips sends over a dozen Tokyo high schoolers to the hospital
Godzilla-shaped ice cream on sale in Tokyo near the sight his most adorable rampage
Nintendo releases Metroid-shaped ice cube/cooking tray and Samus arm cannon pillow【Pics】
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
Is Kyoto less crowded with tourists after China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning?【Photos】
You can now buy a Japanese train station clock in Japan
Japanese police attempting to clamp down on “zombie cigarettes”
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Leave a Reply