Keihanna Avatar Challenge 2026

Dates & time: November 7, 2026 (Sat) 12:30〜16:00
cost: No viewing fee listed on the official site (watch from the roadside)
Venue & access: Seika-odori Avenue (around Keihanna Commemorative Park) From JR Hosono or Kintetsu Shin-Hosono stations, take a Nara Kotsu bus (about 7–10 min) to 'Koen Higashi-dori' or 'Keihanna Kinen Koen'. The organiser asks visitors to use public transport.

Calendar

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Why You Should Visit

Remote-controlled avatar robots take on challenges on a public road in Seika, the heart of Kansai Science City (Keihanna). The 2026 edition runs on Saturday 7 November along Seika-odori Avenue beside Keihanna Commemorative Park. This year's theme is tasks that use hands: following a story in which a family spends New Year together through an avatar, teams compete in four events — a shrine visit, a festival stall, fukuwarai (the New Year face-puzzle game) and shopping. At the 2025 event, avatars paraded down the street and bought a Big Mac. A good outing for families and anyone curious to see robots at work up close.

Programs

Timetable & Map

NOTE

2026 theme

The events follow a story in which someone stuck on a sudden overseas business trip celebrates New Year with their family through an avatar robot
Tasks focus on hand-based work

Teams announced so far (four introduced on the official site)

NAIST (Nara Institute of Science and Technology)
Doshisha University
Kyoto University of Advanced Science
Osaka Electro-Communication University

When watching

The event is live-streamed and published on YouTube; if you do not want to appear on camera, tell the staff or the organiser in advance
The course is a section of Seika-odori without footpaths or intersections, with a top speed of 6 km/h

* Part of the Keihanna Mirai Fes programme

Events Festivals Family Parks

出典: けいはんなアバターチャレンジ公式サイト

Kobe · Gluten-free

Events

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FAQ

Do I need to register to watch?

The official site lists no registration or fee for spectators; you can watch from the roadside along Seika-odori. Check the official site before the day for details of the viewing areas.

What happens if it rains?

The official course conditions assume fair weather for the avatars. Check the official site for the wet-weather decision before the day.

Can I drive there?

The organiser asks visitors to come by public transport where possible. At the 2025 event, temporary traffic restrictions were in place on Seika-odori.