At tourist resort of Atami, love is where you find it

ATAMI, Shizuoka Prefecture--With its proximity to Tokyo, hot springs and a picture postcard view of the Pacific Ocean, the city of Atami has long been considered a destination for lovers, whether it be newlyweds or couples on a tryst.

But while young couples increasingly choose other destinations, guys with gadgets are taking up the slack at this resort city in eastern Shizuoka Prefecture.

More often than not they come alone, equipped with smartphones, game consoles and impressive imaginations.

They can be found at the tourist attractions that dot the city, such as Aijo Misaki, literally the Cape of Love, taking pictures of their love interests, sort of.

But in their minds--and their iPhones--they are taking in the sights with Rinko, Manaka or Nene, virtual girlfriends they have chosen to take along on the trip.

"Atami is just like it's portrayed in the game," said a 21-year-old company employee who made his third visit this summer in early August.

He is just one of hundreds of young people lured to the city after falling in love with virtual romance game Loveplus+ by Konami Digital Entertainment Co.

To leverage the popularity of the game, Konami and Atami officials concocted a campaign to appeal its fans.

There are special augmented-reality markers at 13 tourist sites where players can photograph the scenery with their "girlfriend," transposed in the frame of their iPhone cameras.

When played on a Nintendo Co.'s DS console, Loveplus+ involves players choosing one of three fictitious high school girls and trying to develop a relationship with her.

The characters develop personalities as the game progresses with the players showering them with affection or trying to sneak a kiss.

One scenario involves an overnight trip to Atami with their significant other.

Akari Uchida, producer of the game, explains that he chose Atami to add an element of "reality."

"The city has spas and sites of interest, and I thought we could use the old image of a popular honeymoon spot," he said.

The city has embraced the game hoping to boost tourism. It launched its Loveplus+ campaign July 10.

During the event, which runs through the end of August, game players arriving solo at the Hotel Ohnoya inn are greeted as couples, and two sets of futon are set up in their rooms.

Not everyone was initially thrilled with the idea.

But any queasiness caused by invisible girls and their human escorts took a backseat to economic reality.

The city was facing a sink-or-swim situation, with the number of overnight guests plunging to 2.81 million in fiscal 2009, down from 4.4 million in fiscal 1991. Sixteen businesses agreed to cooperate.

On the first day of the campaign, 250 visitors showed up, and more than 1,500 visitors took part in events between July 15 and Aug. 13. And 200 guests have stayed at the Hotel Ohnoya.

The 21-year-old man from Tokyo, who confessed to having no real girlfriend yet, said he planned to stay at the Hotel Ohnoya next time with his friends.

"I hope that this will serve as practice for when I have a real girlfriend," he said.