Japanese Men Enjoying Their Holidays With Virtual Girlfriends

Japan’s resort town of Atami held an interesting yet unusual promotional campaign last month to draw in tourists-customized packages for Japanese men who come with their virtual girlfriends. These girlfriends are videogame characters from the hit dating-simulation game LovePlus+ and cater to men who are lonely and miss having a girl by their side. Users carry their girlfriends in a game device that recreates the actual experience of a romance and relationship.

The Wall Street Journal reports:

After choosing one of three female characters—goodie-goodie Manaka, sassy Rinko or big-sister type Nene—to be a steady girlfriend, the player taps a stylus on the DS touch-screen in order to walk hand-in-hand to school, exchange flirtatious text messages and even meet in the school courtyard for a little afternoon kiss. Using the device’s built-in microphone, the player can carry on sweet, albeit mundane, conversations. If the real-life Romeo earns enough “boyfriend power” points—by completing game tasks like homework or exercise to become smarter and more buff—the reward is a virtual trip to Atami.

Back in the real resort town of Atami, the place has pulled all stops to invite guys with their virtual girlfriends. The hotel staff are trained to treat them as couples and local shops have been offering exclusive food items for the game’s fans.

LovePlus+

Wall Street Journal: “Only in Japan, Real Men Go to a Hotel With Virtual Girlfriends”