Virtual Hiroshima Station 2.u Opens on VRChat May 27
The renewal shifts the virtual station from a static reproduction to a user-driven co-creation platform, treating the metaverse space as a marketplace and debut stage rather than just a replica.
Reporting from 3 sources: 4Gamer.net, Denfaminicogamer, PANORA.
West Japan Railway Company and JR West Communications announced on May 26 that they will open "Virtual Hiroshima Station 2.u" on VRChat on May 27. The world is a full renewal of the earlier "Virtual Hiroshima Station," which ended in spring 2026. The new space is themed around "Hiroshima Station after the last train, unknown to anyone." Visitors start inside an empty train car with no other passengers or conductor announcements, then proceed to a realistically reproduced station interior that includes a conventional line concourse and a Shinkansen concourse. The Shinkansen concourse is designed as a "debut stage" for user creations and a marketplace for virtual items. The "2.u" in the name carries the meaning "for you." Alongside the opening, JR West plans an illustration contest in collaboration with the VRChat avatar Mamehinata, with selected works displayed as posters at both the virtual and real Hiroshima Station. A virtual talk relay featuring VRChat creators is scheduled for June 6 and 7. The platform is VRChat and participation is free.
The renewal is part of a broader JR West Group effort to build a "Virtual Station" since 2022, reproducing real stations in virtual space. The company is also opening "Virtual Osaka Station 4.u" on the same day, a compact redesign with three areas: a platform area, a ticket gate area with station offices and vending machines, and a time-space plaza with streaming booths.
The empty train car at the start of the experience is designed so that other users are present elsewhere in the same world, sharing the same time. Visitors can relax on the train or use warp to move to the next space. The conventional line concourse allows users to meet and chat with others, or share the space while keeping distance.
Alongside the illustration contest, a talk event called "Connect! Expand! Virtual Talk Relay" will feature a chain of creators active on VRChat. The event runs June 6 and 7 inside Virtual Hiroshima Station. Submission for the illustration contest opens June 6 for about one month, with selected works displayed as posters at both the virtual and real Hiroshima Station around July 2026.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 3 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.