2026 Marks the 10th Anniversary of the 'Year of VR'! Call for Exhibitors: 'OcuFes Reboot – Where Are Those XR Pioneers Now?' to Be Held on the Street in Front of Akihabara UDX on November 3

NPO OcuFes (Representative Director: Takeshige Takahashi, Taito City, Tokyo) and Panora Pro Inc. (President & CEO: Minoru Hirota, Chiyoda City, Tokyo) will host a free experiential event for cutting-edge content titled 'OcuFes Reboot – Where Are Those XR Pioneers Now?' on November 3 (Tuesday, national holiday) at Sabonius Plaza in front of Akihabara UDX.

Applications for exhibitors and sponsor companies are now open, with a deadline of July 28. Individual participation is free of charge.

* Application page → https://forms.gle/7mKdXdfCvUDbqgFh9

What is OcuFes?

Founded in 2013, OcuFes is a community of XR developers. 'We want people to know the VR we love.' The origin of OcuFes dates back to 2013, when the first developer kit of Oculus Rift (now Meta Quest) was released, sparking today’s XR movement. OcuFes held the world’s first VR software exhibition at a café in Akihabara.

Poster for the 0th event held in Akihabara in August 2013

Creators captivated by VR expression, primarily in gaming, gathered from as far west as Mumbai to as far east as Los Angeles, hosting over 40 events. The 2015 event at Bellus Akihabara saw 50 groups exhibit in a single day, attracting 2,000 visitors, making it a huge success. The organization became an NPO in 2014 and rebranded the event as 'Japan VR Fest.' in 2017.

Using pioneering devices like the 'Oculus Rift DK1' (first developer kit), the origin of the 'Meta Quest' series, OcuFes has hosted numerous VR experience events.

Scene from a past event held at Bellus Akihabara

10 Years Since the 'Year of VR' in 2016 – Experience the Pioneers Today

The year 2016, when three major VR devices—Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR, and HTC VIVE—were released, is known as the 'Year of VR.' Creators fascinated by VR’s ability to design immersive spatial experiences gathered at OcuFes, creating innovative content in the absence of established conventions, and spreading the appeal of VR to a broad audience.

2026 marks exactly 10 years since then—a milestone year. XR, AI, robotics, and more—what are the pioneers who led the 'Year of VR' creating today? Borrowing the outdoor plaza of UDX in Akihabara, the birthplace of this movement, we will showcase the cutting-edge technologies and expressions they are passionate about.

On the same evening, a paid networking event titled 'Revival Edition! VR Matsuri' will also be held. Details will be announced after the exhibitors for OcuFes Reboot are confirmed.

【Event Overview】

● Daytime Session

・Event Name: OcuFes Reboot – Where Are Those XR Pioneers Now? (Tentative)

・Proposed Date & Time: November 3, 2026 (Tuesday, national holiday), 12:00–17:00

・Venue: Sabonius Plaza, Akihabara UDX

・Exhibition Fee: Free

* For corporate sponsors: Paid

・Application Page: https://forms.gle/7mKdXdfCvUDbqgFh9

・Provided Items: Half-table (90×60 cm per slot), pipe chairs, power supply, tent

・Number of Slots: 20–48 slots planned

* Multiple slots available. In case of high demand, selection by lottery or additional space may be arranged

・Eligible Exhibitors: Developers, creators, or companies involved in XR content, past or present

* Exhibits are not limited to XR content

・Application Deadline: July 28, 23:59

・Organizer: NPO OcuFes

・Producer: Panora Pro Inc.

● Evening Session

・Event Name: Revival Edition! VR Matsuri

・Proposed Date & Time: November 3, 2026 (Tuesday, national holiday), 18:00–21:00

・Venue: HUB Akihabara Store

・Ticket Price: ¥5,500

・Capacity: 80 people

・Content: Networking event with panel discussion

・Organizer: Panora Pro Inc.