"VR" Virtual Reality Day

Today, and February 2nd annually, is VR Day (VRの日). The anniversary was established by the Location‑based VR Association, an organization based in Ginza that research safety standards and guidelines for VR attractions. The date for the anniversary comes from a playful hand gesture: forming a peace sign with both hands creates shapes that resemble “V” and “R,” while also looking like the numbers 2 and 2. It’s a symbolic way to connect the date with the technology.

The association notes that when the term “VR” first appeared, it required lengthy explanations such as “virtual reality.” But by 2018—50 years after the concept’s birth in 1968—the letters “V” and “R” had become universally understood. To mark this milestone, the group created "VR Day" in 2018 and later registered it as an official anniversary of Japan. 

Each year, the association promotes the idea of “Winter is for VR with family,” encouraging people to enjoy immersive experiences together during the colder months. Location‑based VR facilities combine head‑mounted displays with motion platforms and interactive equipment, offering realistic, shared adventures that highlight how far VR technology has come.