At the National Institute of Technology, Hakodate College, a student-led VR Lab project integrated VR and AI tools into a three-day international VR Camp held in March 2026. Participants from multiple countries joined remotely to engage in English-based engineering and cultural learning activities.

This presentation focuses on Day 2 of the program, a collaboration with Ichinoseki College, and professional Kōdan storyteller Kinme Chikufutei. The project was guided by the conceptual framework KATARIUM, proposed by the collaborating teacher, which combines kataru (“to narrate”) with the idea of a museum or medium, framing storytelling as a living, reusable cultural resource rather than a fixed performance.

On-site recordings were conducted using Polycam and spatial recording tools within the ENGAGE VR platform to create Gaussian models of key performance elements, including the shakudai (storytelling table). These assets were reconstructed in a culturally appropriate tatami-stage environment.

To support accessibility for international learners, AI-assisted English voice dubbing preserved vocal quality and narrative rhythm while intentionally retaining a non-native English accent. An interactive AI avatar enabled learners to ask questions related to key vocabulary, historical background, and social context. The presentation outlines a replicable, teacher-centered workflow for sustaining cultural heritage through English education.