Hidenori Watanave Laboratory
Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies / Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies, The University of Tokyo
We create the Pluralistic Digital Archives series, bringing historical records, testimony and satellite imagery together on digital globes and in VR and AR. After publication, we continue to verify and update the archives with the people and communities involved.
Explore survivors’ testimony and photographs on a map of Hiroshima.
Follow victims’ movements between the earthquake and tsunami.
Explore earthquake and heavy-rain damage reconstructed from drone footage.
View damage through satellite imagery and contributed 3D records.
Read about war and disaster analysis using open sources.
Browse projects by theme and year.
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Map
Schematic maps of Middle Eastern and Japan-bound crude oil routes, with reusable code for updates through dialogue with generative AI.
Created by Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, The University of Tokyo Basemap: OpenStreetMap contributors, via OpenFreeMap / OpenMapTiles; pipeline data: OpenStreetMap contributors and Global Energy Monitor
Background & sources — Crude Oil Transport Route Maps↗
Map
A 3D comparison of satellite imagery before and after the floods, used in Japanese and international news coverage.
Created by Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, The University of Tokyo Satellite imagery: Planet Labs PBC, Vantor, Landsat (NASA/USGS), and Copernicus Sentinel-2 (EU/ESA)
Background & sources — Nepal-Tibet Border Flood 3D Map↗
Tool
Screening possible sea-surface oil slicks with Google Earth Engine
Satellite oil-slick screening tools published through joint research with Nippon TV for use in reporting.
Joint research: Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, The University of Tokyo × Nippon TV Satellite imagery: EU/ESA Copernicus Sentinel-2; cloud probability: EU/ESA/Copernicus/Sentinel Hub, via Google Earth Engine
Map
A wildfire map combining satellite hotspots and wind directions, used in news coverage by Nippon TV and FNN.
Created by Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, The University of Tokyo Hotspots: NASA FIRMS (Landsat, MODIS, VIIRS); wind: Japan Meteorological Agency MSM, via Open-Meteo
Background & sources — Otsuchi, Iwate Forest Fire Heat Source Map↗
Tool
An interactive 3D view of the Strait of Hormuz seafloor, with depth colors and adjustable vertical exaggeration.
Created by Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, The University of Tokyo Bathymetry: Cesium World Bathymetry, including GEBCO_2023
3D archive
Syrian streets and architecture reconstructed in 3D from footage filmed by Piece of Syria’s Takayuki Nakano.
Piece of Syria × Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, The University of Tokyo
Background & sources — Syria 3D Archive↗
AR experience
An AR view of tsunami victims’ recorded movements, based on Iwate Nippo interviews and placed within today’s landscape.
Original archive: Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, Tokyo Metropolitan University × Iwate Nippo
AR experience
Earthquake tweets displayed in the camera view according to location, connecting archived posts with nearby places.
Hidenori Watanave, Great East Japan Earthquake Big Data Workshop
3D archive
Drone footage and photographs reconstructed in 3D to document fire damage, featured on Fuji TV.
Drone footage: Oita Godo Shimbun, Photos: Kokusai Kogyo Co., Ltd., 3D data production: Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, The University of Tokyo
Background & sources — 3D Archive of the Large Fire Damage in Saganoseki, Oita City↗
3D archive
A StoryMap of a Zero reconnaissance seaplane, combining TBS/JNN reporting with Windy Network’s 3D images.
Reporting: TBS/JNN, Cooperation and 3D imaging: Windy Network Co., Ltd., StoryMap production: Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, The University of Tokyo (Hidenori Watanave, Shohei Komatsu)
3D archive
Gaza scenes reconstructed from footage, extending into educational VR development with Al Jazeera.
The University of Tokyo, Al Jazeera and UNRWA
Background & sources — Gaza 3D Digital Archives↗
Map
Satellite views of Myanmar’s 2025 earthquake damage, with capture dates and imagery credits for each scene.
Created by Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, The University of Tokyo Satellite imagery: © Maxar Technologies and © Planet Labs PBC
Book
The War as Seen by Animals as Told by Photographs Taken During the War · Kobunsha Shinsho (Japanese)
A book exploring animals’ wartime experiences through Mainichi Shimbun photographs, with original images, colorized versions and historical commentary.
Authors: Hidenori Watanave, Toshihiko Kishi, Miyuki Nakajima
Background & sources — Doubutsu Tachi Ga Mita Sensou↗3D data
3D records of Noto’s earthquake and heavy-rain damage, created from Ishikawa Prefecture’s drone footage.
Ishikawa Prefecture × Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, The University of Tokyo
Map
A 3D comparison of Noto’s earthquake and heavy-rain slope failures, using Geospatial Information Authority of Japan data.
Created by Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, The University of Tokyo Landslide and debris-flow data: Geospatial Information Authority of Japan
Map
A satellite imagery map of Taiwan’s 2024 earthquake, showing affected places alongside the surrounding terrain.
Created by Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, The University of Tokyo Satellite imagery: © Planet Labs
Map
Satellite imagery documenting damage to facilities in Gaza supported by Japanese public funding and NGOs.
Japan International Volunteer Center × Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, The University of Tokyo Satellite imagery: Planet Labs and Copernicus Sentinel-2 (EU/ESA)
Map
A 3D map reconstructed from aerial photographs, used in television coverage of coastal uplift and landslides.
Photogrammetry: STUDIO DUCKBILL, Optimization, georeferencing, and storytelling: Hidenori Watanave Aerial photographs: Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI)
Background & sources — Noto Peninsula Earthquake Photogrammetry Map↗
Map
An earthquake damage map published on the day of the disaster by Yomiuri Shimbun reporters trained by the lab.
Produced by The Yomiuri Shimbun, Academic supervision: Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, The University of Tokyo
Background & sources — 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake Damage Status Map↗
Map
A map of Morocco’s 2023 earthquake damage using satellite imagery from the Maxar Open Data Program.
© 2023 Hidenori Watanave Satellite imagery: © Maxar Technologies Open Data Program
StoryMap
Students map corporate records of earthquake damage and recovery, with a related exhibition at the National Museum of Nature and Science.
Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, The University of Tokyo × Shibusawa Eiichi Memorial Foundation × National Museum of Nature and Science
Background & sources — Reading the Great Kanto Earthquake Through Corporate Materials↗
Map
A map of Maui’s 2023 wildfire damage using satellite imagery from the Maxar Open Data Program.
© 2023 Hidenori Watanave Satellite imagery: © Maxar Technologies Open Data Program
Map
Aerial photographs from the 1923 earthquake’s aftermath overlaid on a 3D model of present-day Tokyo.
Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, The University of Tokyo × National Museum of Nature and Science
3D archive
A map locating traces of Russia’s war against Ukraine recorded through Pixelated Realities’ 3D scanning.
Pixelated Realities NPO & Hidenori Watanave Laboratory at The University of Tokyo
Map
Before-and-after satellite imagery of earthquake damage and surface ruptures, used in news coverage by TBS and TV Asahi.
StoryMap: Hidenori Watanave Satellite imagery: Maxar Technologies, Planet Labs, BlackSky, and Sentinel Hub
Background & sources — Turkey-Syria Earthquake Satellite Imagery Map↗
Digital archive
Soldiers’ wartime journeys from Nagaoka, mapped from municipal testimony and interviews with veterans and families.
Naomi Mikami (2nd-year master's student at the time of the project, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies, The University of Tokyo); hosted by Hidenori Watanave Lab; cooperation: Nagaoka War Damage Exhibit Hall and Nagaoka Central Library archives
Background & sources — Digital Archive of Soldiers' Journeys: From Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture↗
News feature
A Yomiuri Shimbun feature following people rebuilding their lives around Kyiv through interviews and digital mapping.
Україна — відбудова під війною, репортаж з Київщини / Hidenori Watanave × The Yomiuri Shimbun × Ukrainian civic volunteers
Map
Public satellite imagery and 3D records from researchers and citizens, mapped to document damage in Ukraine.
Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, The University of Tokyo, Daichi Furuhashi Laboratory, Aoyama Gakuin University Satellite imagery: Maxar Technologies, Planet Labs, and Sentinel Hub; hotspots: NASA FIRMS
Background & sources — Ukraine Satellite Imagery Map↗
Digital archive
Bereaved families’ lives over ten years, traced through Iwate Nippo interviews, a life-rebuilding map and language analysis.
Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, The University of Tokyo × Iwate Nippo
Background & sources — Never Forget: Ten Years in the Lives of Bereaved Families↗
Digital archive
Residents’ memories of homes, shops and daily life mapped in Ishinomaki’s Okawa district.
Naganotsuraura Kaito General Incorporated Association, Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, The University of Tokyo
Digital archive
Citizen reports submitted to Weathernews during the Great East Japan Earthquake, searchable by place and text.
Hidenori Watanave, Weathernews, Great East Japan Earthquake Big Data Workshop
Map
A searchable map of tweets about the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Hidenori Watanave, Great East Japan Earthquake Big Data Workshop
Book
Rebooting Memories of Prewar & War Through Colorized Photographs in Collaboration with AI and Human · Kobunsha Shinsho (Japanese)
A book of colorized prewar and wartime photographs and dialogue, with colors revised using testimony and historical sources.
Authors: Anju Niwata × Hidenori Watanave
Background & sources — AI to color-ka shita shashin de yomigaeru senzen senso↗
Digital archive
Photographs, films and sound recordings of cherished places across Japan, shared through a geographic archive.
PEACE NIPPON PROJECT × Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, The University of Tokyo
AR experience
An app for exploring colorized photographs of prewar Hiroshima through maps and AR.
Rebooting Memories Project (Anju Niwata × Hidenori Watanave)
Digital archive
A citywide museum website sharing Minami-Alps history, local heritage and investigations by residents and children.
Minami-Alps City Board of Education, Cultural Properties Division × Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, The University of Tokyo / Network Design Studio, Faculty of System Design, Tokyo Metropolitan University
Digital archive
A geographic archive of the Pearl Harbor attack, based on Katrina Luksovsky’s book Ford Island December 7, 1941.
Based on the book “Ford Island December 7, 1941” (2014) by Katrina Luksovsky
Digital archive
Victims’ movements between the earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011, mapped from Iwate Nippo’s interviews.
Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, Tokyo Metropolitan University × Iwate Nippo
Background & sources — We Shall Never Forget: Last Movements of Tsunami Disaster Victims↗
Digital archive
A digital globe presenting student-built small satellites and their orbits.
UNISEC × Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, Tokyo Metropolitan University; Hironori Sahara Laboratory, Tokyo Metropolitan University. Satellite archive production: Shinnosuke Komiya, Taiga Sano, Hidenori Watanave
Listed under 2015 in the earlier series index; the lab’s release announcement is dated 2016.
Background & sources — UNISEC Earth: Hand-Built Satellite Digital Archive↗
Map
Wildlife road deaths recorded by Mt. Fuji Outdoor Museum, mapped by location and species.
Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, Tokyo Metropolitan University × Mt. Fuji Outdoor Museum
Listed under 2015 in the earlier series index; the lab’s release announcement is dated 2016.
Background & sources — Mt. Fuji Animal Roadkill Map↗
Digital archive
Testimony, photographs and historical maps tracing civilians’ evacuation routes and places of death during the Battle of Okinawa.
Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, Tokyo Metropolitan University × Okinawa Times × GIS Okinawa Laboratory
Background & sources — Okinawa Battle Digital Archive: Messages Handed Down from the War Era↗
Digital archive
Photographs and testimony from Kyoto University and Syiah Kuala University tracing Aceh’s tsunami damage and recovery.
Center for Integrated Area Studies, Kyoto University × Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, Tokyo Metropolitan University
Background & sources — Aceh Tsunami Archive↗
Digital archive
Memories of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics through news photographs, archival materials and high school students’ interviews.
Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, Tokyo Metropolitan University × The Asahi Shimbun Company
Background & sources — Tokyo Olympics Archive 1964-2020↗
Book
A book on connecting photographs and testimony with society through information design and community archive projects.
Digital archive
Okinawa Prefecture’s peace-learning archive, supervised by Hidenori Watanave and now operated by the lab as a recovered version.
Okinawa Prefecture (salvage version operated by Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, The University of Tokyo)
Background & sources — The Peace Learning Archive in OKINAWA↗
Digital archive
Photographs and other records of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami brought together on a digital globe.
Materials provided by The Asahi Shimbun Company and the Great East Japan Earthquake Big Data Workshop, among others
Digital archive
A geographic archive of Hiroshima’s atomic bombing, including testimony collected by Hiroshima Jogakuin students.
Hiroshima Archive Production Committee
Background & sources — Hiroshima Archive↗
Digital archive
Testimony and photographs of Nagasaki’s atomic bombing, mapped by the production committee and university students.
Nagasaki Archive Production Committee
Background & sources — Nagasaki Archive↗
Digital archive
Portraits and fieldwork photographs on a digital globe, introducing Tuvalu’s residents and landscapes.
NPO Tuvalu Overview × Hidenori Watanave Laboratory, Tokyo Metropolitan University