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YAMAGATA UNIVERSITY · SIP PHASE 3
GASTROVERSE
From digital food design to real dining experiences.
Exploring the future of personalized food through texture analysis AI and 3D food printing.
At the Soft & Wet Matter Engineering Laboratory (SWEL), Yamagata University, we connect digital food design with physical ingredients, textures and dining experiences. This page introduces our research under Japan’s SIP Phase 3 program and GASTROVERSE, our initiative to explore new experiences and value through food.
Vision · Research · International exchange · Project information · Contact
More freedom in the joy of eating.
The ability to enjoy a favorite dish and share a meal matters at every stage of life. Starting with research on food for care settings, we explore how texture and shape can be designed to support individual needs while preserving the pleasure of eating.
GASTROVERSE brings together food, digital technology, the body and culture. It applies the idea of the “interverse”—connections between virtual and physical spaces—to edible creations and immersive dining, with the aim of developing new services and economic value.
Our research
01 | Understand texture
We study food texture analysis AI to connect the mechanical properties of food with human perception. The goal is to turn texture into information that can inform food design and comparison.
02 | Print edible experiences
We develop 3D food printing approaches to control material placement and shape, exploring both texture and appearance. Using AIRCOOK, we investigate how digital designs can become food that people can experience directly.
03 | Connect food and experience
We explore dining experiences that combine physical food with visual, auditory and spatial elements. Potential settings include everyday meals, care services, restaurants, exhibitions and entertainment.
04 | Prepare for real-world use
Alongside technical development, we examine ethical, legal and social issues (ELSI). Food safety, the handling of personal information, accessibility and practical service operation are part of our approach to implementation.
International exchange
We connect researchers, chefs, designers and industry to explore how food culture and technology can enrich one another. Our autumn 2026 activities in Europe will introduce research combining food texture analysis AI, 3D food printing and plant-based ingredients, and open conversations about international collaboration.
| 29 September 2026 — planned | GASTROVERSE presentation at Space Expo, the Netherlands |
| 1 October 2026 — planned | GASTROVERSE presentation in Budapest, Hungary |
Project information
| Program | Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP), Phase 3 |
| Program area | Development of Foundational Technologies and Rules for Expansion of the Virtual Economy |
| Research focus | Innovative food for care settings using the interverse, food texture analysis AI and 3D printing, together with examination of ethical, legal and social issues. |
| Implementing institution | Yamagata University, Japan |
| Research lead | Hidemitsu Furukawa, Distinguished Research Professor, Yamagata University |
| Period | Japanese fiscal years 2023–2027 |
This research project website is maintained by SWEL, Yamagata University. For information about the overall program, visit the official SIP Virtual Economy website hosted by NEDO. The official project list in Japanese provides the registered research theme.
Related research
STAR-MEALS is a separate project under the JAXA Space Strategy Fund, exploring how people can eat well and live well in space. GASTROVERSE focuses on dining experiences and their social and economic value. Dialogue across these research activities broadens our exploration of future food on Earth and in space.
Collaborate with us
We welcome inquiries about research collaboration, demonstrations, exhibitions and international exchange.
Soft & Wet Matter Engineering Laboratory (SWEL)
Yamagata University
Research lead: Hidemitsu Furukawa
4-3-16 Jonan, Yonezawa, Yamagata 992-8510, Japan
Email: swel@gp.yz.yamagata-u.ac.jp
