Developing and Evaluating Virtual Heiankyō AR

GIS and geographic information science (GISc) have advanced at breakneck speed in the past 20 years evidenced by the growing popularity of 3D GIS maps. There is also growing interest in the construction of 3D urban models that can be integrated with virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies and applied in many sectors, including tourism. Using Virtual Heiankyō as a basis, an app we previously developed as part of the Virtual Kyoto project, we developed a new and unique VR and AR-driven smartphone app called Virtual Heiankyō AR. This app recreates the historic cityscape of Heian-kyō. We explore the app’s potential and user sentiment towards Virtual Heian-kyo AR by analysing app performance metrics, online articles, and social media commentary. We consider how the app differs from existing maps, the new value it potentially offers, and the issues to be addressed. The results suggest that the app could serve as a tool for VR and AR maps and a new type of mapping technology with novel application of VR and AR. This technology could be applied to evaluate maps or generate cartographic, geospatial data. We consider that this combination of mapping technologies could be applied to many industries, such as tourism and urban planning.