Hello to all Vocaloid fans and travel lovers around the world!
We are thrilled to announce the official launch of our dedicated donation page for the "Nikko Live Sunshine Project" on Ko-fi.
Our mission is to combine the timeless beauty of Japan’s World Heritage site, the Nikko Cedar Avenue, with the cutting-edge culture of Vocaloid music through our original Hatsune Miku song, "Under the Cedar Avenue" (Suginamiki no Shita de). Your generous support will directly fund our creative activities and local promotional initiatives to share the magic of Nikko with a global audience.
To show our deep appreciation for your support, we have prepared a Premium Digital Reward Pack. When you donate using the "Pay What You Want" system (above the minimum price), you will be able to download the following exclusive contents instantly:
1. 📸 3 Exclusive High-Quality Photos of Nikko's Famous Cedar Avenue
These unedited, authentic photos were taken in the beautiful "Segawa District," capturing the real, serene atmosphere of this historic location. Perfect for wallpapers or virtual holy-land pilgrimages!
2. 🎵 "Under the Cedar Avenue" Official Instrumental Track
The full instrumental version of our original song provided in premium high-quality WAV format. Perfect for listening, practicing, or creating your own covers!
3. 📖 Special Digital Guidebook & Lyric Commentary (Complete English Edition)
A beautifully structured booklet featuring a breakdown of Nikko’s history, the real story behind how this song was born from street performances in Osaka back in 2010, and a full bilingual lyric guide (Japanese, Romaji, and English translation) topped off with an official digital signature by Mkan Tomo.
Every contribution brings us one step closer to bringing real and digital music experiences to Nikko. Thank you so much for being a part of our creative journey and helping us preserve and promote this beautiful heritage!
👇 Click the link below to visit our Ko-fi page, choose your donation amount, and download your rewards instantly!
“Nikko Miku” is the image character created for my original song, “Under the Cedar Avenue.”
Her deep crimson headband is inspired by the autumn colors of Nikko and the vivid red of Shinkyo Bridge.
The black‑and‑gold ribbon quietly reflects the colors found in Nikko Toshogu Shrine.Her green hair and tie are designed after the leaves of the Nikko Cedar Avenue.
A small monkey motif is included as a gentle reference to animals closely associated with Nikko.
Through these elements, her design carries the calm atmosphere of places such as Nikko Cedar Avenue and Nikko Toshogu, blending the song’s world with the quiet cultural landscape of Nikko.
With artworks set in “Under the Cedar Avenue”, at Nikko Toshogu Shrine, and in other quiet places in Nikko, I hope to share both the spirit of the song and the gentle charm of Nikko’s scenery.
I will continue creating quiet pieces inspired by the calm spirit of Nikko.
In Japan, summer brings the refreshing delight of kakigori — shaved ice flavored with sweet syrups and traditional tastes.
Among them, Uji matcha stands out for its deep aroma and elegant bitterness, a flavor that embodies Kyoto’s refined tea culture.
In this illustration, Kyoto Miku enjoys a small glass of matcha shaved ice served in a parfait cup.
Her yukata features soft green tea leaf patterns, and the silver “01” embroidered on her obi glimmers gently under the warm lantern light.
The scene captures a peaceful moment of summer — the harmony between tradition, sweetness, and the quiet beauty of Kyoto.
During my recent trip on the Tokaido Shinkansen, I stopped at Shizuoka Station and decided to buy an ekiben for the ride. I chose the Makunouchi Bento by Tokai-ken, a long‑established local maker known for shaping Shizuoka’s ekiben culture for more than a century.
The bento came in a colorful cover decorated with Shizuoka-related motifs, reflecting the region’s history and traditions. Inside, the classic assortment of rice, grilled fish, tamagoyaki, kamaboko, fried items, simmered vegetables, and pickles was beautifully arranged. I was especially delighted to find wasabi-zuke, a well-known specialty of Shizuoka that added a refreshing, sharp flavor to the meal.
I enjoyed the bento while riding the Shinkansen, and its nostalgic taste paired perfectly with the passing scenery. Eating this bento reminded me once again that ekiben is one of the true pleasures of traveling by train in Japan, enriching the journey in a uniquely cultural way.
