Hatsune Miku: Project SEKAI Colorful Stage! (often shortened to "PJSK" or "ProSeka") is a hugely popular rhythm game. While the English version is readily available, many players seek out the Japanese version for its earlier content releases, exclusive events, and often a different community experience. If you're an iPad user eager to dive into the original Japanese PJSK, you're in the right place! This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.
The Quest for Japanese PJSK: Why it's a Little Different
Unlike most apps, regional restrictions mean you can't simply download the Japanese version of PJSK from your current App Store. Apple's App Store ecosystem is tied to the country or region of your Apple ID. To access apps from the Japanese App Store, you'll need to either change your existing Apple ID's region to Japan or, more commonly and recommended, create a brand new Japanese Apple ID.
Creating a separate Japanese Apple ID is often preferred because changing your existing one can lead to complications with subscriptions, remaining store credit, and previously purchased content. A new ID allows you to switch between App Stores seamlessly.
Let's embark on this musical journey!
Step 1: Prepare for Your Japanese Adventure – What You'll Need
Before we dive into the technicalities, let's gather our supplies. Think of this as preparing your expedition kit for a rhythm game paradise!
- Your iPad: Obviously! Make sure it's charged and has a stable internet connection.
- A Valid Email Address (NOT currently linked to an Apple ID): This is crucial for creating your new Japanese Apple ID. Do not use the email associated with your current Apple ID. A fresh Gmail or Outlook account works perfectly.
- A Japanese Address (Optional but Recommended): While you can sometimes bypass this, having a legitimate-looking Japanese address and phone number (you can find these by searching for a random hotel or public building in Japan) can make the process smoother. You won't be using this for billing, just for verification purposes.
- Patience: Sometimes, Apple's system can be a bit finicky. Don't get discouraged if it takes a couple of tries!
Step 2: Forging Your New Identity – Creating a Japanese Apple ID
This is the most critical step. We're essentially telling Apple you're in Japan, allowing you to access their region-specific App Store.
Sub-heading 2.1: Heading to the Apple ID Creation Page
- Open your web browser (Safari, Chrome, etc.) on your iPad or computer.
- Go to the official Apple ID creation page. You can usually find this by searching for "create Apple ID" on Google, or directly go to
appleid.apple.com/account. - Look for the option that says "Create Your Apple ID" or similar.
Sub-heading 2.2: Filling Out the Details – The Japanese Twist!
This is where the magic happens! Pay close attention to the region selection.
- First Name / Last Name: Enter your real name or a nickname. It doesn't strictly matter for the Japanese App Store.
- Country/Region: This is the most important part! From the dropdown menu, select Japan (日本).
- Birthday: Enter your actual birthday.
- Email Address: Enter the new, unused email address you prepared in Step 1. This will be your new Japanese Apple ID.
- Password: Create a strong password and confirm it.
- Phone Number: You'll need a phone number for verification.
- Option A (Recommended for smoother experience): Look up a public Japanese phone number online (e.g., a museum, public library, or a less-known hotel). You might not need to verify it with a code, but having a properly formatted Japanese number helps.
- Option B (If you can't find a Japanese number): You can try using your existing phone number. Sometimes Apple allows this, but it can occasionally lead to issues.
- Security Questions: Choose and answer three security questions. Make sure you remember the answers!
- Captcha: Complete the CAPTCHA to prove you're not a robot.
- Email Verification: Apple will send a verification code to the new email address you provided. Go to your email inbox, find the code, and enter it on the Apple ID creation page.
- Phone Number Verification (if prompted): If you used a phone number you can access, you might receive a verification code via SMS. Enter it to proceed.
Congratulations! You've successfully created a Japanese Apple ID! Keep this new Apple ID (email address) and password handy.
Step 3: Switching App Stores – Accessing the Japanese Gateway
Now that you have your Japanese Apple ID, it's time to log in to the App Store on your iPad and unlock the Japanese content.
Sub-heading 3.1: Logging Out of Your Current Apple ID
- On your iPad, open the Settings app.
- Tap on your Apple ID banner at the very top (your name and picture).
- Scroll down to the bottom of the page and tap "Sign Out".
- You might be asked if you want to keep copies of your data (like contacts, calendars, etc.). For simplicity, you can usually choose "Delete from My iPad" as this only affects the data linked to this specific Apple ID on your device, not your cloud backups.
Sub-heading 3.2: Logging Into Your Japanese Apple ID
- After signing out, go back to the Settings app and tap on "Sign in to your iPad" or "Sign in to iTunes & App Store" (depending on your iOS version).
- Enter the new Japanese Apple ID email address and the password you just created.
- You might encounter a prompt saying "This Apple ID has not yet been used in the iTunes Store." Tap "Review".
- On the next screen, ensure "Japan" is selected as the country/region.
- Agree to the Terms and Conditions by toggling the switch and tapping "Agree".
- You will be taken to a page to enter your billing information. This is where your Japanese address comes in handy.
- Payment Method: Select "None" if you only intend to download free apps (like PJSK). This is crucial. If you select a payment method, it will require a valid Japanese payment method, which you likely don't have.
- Billing Address:
- Street: Enter the street address of the Japanese location you found (e.g., a hotel).
- City/Prefecture: Select a prefecture from the dropdown.
- Postcode: Enter the postcode for that address.
- Phone Number: Use the Japanese phone number you used for account creation or another valid Japanese number.
- Tap "Next" or "Done".
If all goes well, you will now be redirected to the Japanese App Store! You'll notice the language might have changed, and you'll see a plethora of Japanese apps.
Step 4: Downloading Project SEKAI – The Grand Finale!
You're almost there! With access to the Japanese App Store, downloading PJSK is just like downloading any other app.
Sub-heading 4.1: Searching for the Game
- In the Japanese App Store, tap the Search icon (magnifying glass) at the bottom right.
- In the search bar, type "プロジェクトセカイ" (Project SEKAI in Japanese) or simply "プロセカ" (ProSeka). You can also try "Hatsune Miku Colorful Stage".
- Look for the app with the familiar PJSK logo. It should be titled "プロジェクトセカイ カラフルステージ！ feat. 初音ミク".
Sub-heading 4.2: Initiating the Download
- Tap the "Get" button (usually a cloud icon with an arrow pointing down, or a button with text like 「入手」).
- You may be prompted to enter your Japanese Apple ID password or use Face ID/Touch ID to confirm the download.
- The app will begin downloading to your iPad. Depending on your internet speed and the game's size (it's quite large!), this might take some time.
Congratulations! You now have the Japanese version of Project SEKAI Colorful Stage! on your iPad!
Step 5: Post-Download – Getting Ready to Play
Once the download is complete, there are a few things to consider.
Sub-heading 5.1: Initial Game Launch and Data Download
- Open the Project SEKAI app from your iPad's home screen.
- The game will likely download additional in-game data. This can be a very large download, so make sure you have enough storage space and a stable Wi-Fi connection.
- Follow the on-screen prompts for initial setup, tutorial, and any account linking options (like transferring an existing Japanese PJSK account, if you have one, or starting fresh).
Sub-heading 5.2: Switching Back to Your Main Apple ID (Optional but Recommended)
Once PJSK is downloaded and installed, you can switch back to your primary Apple ID if you wish. The Japanese PJSK app will remain on your iPad and will still receive updates from the Japanese App Store when you're logged into your Japanese Apple ID.
- Go back to Settings -> your Apple ID banner.
- Tap "Sign Out" from your Japanese Apple ID.
- Then, sign back in with your original Apple ID.
Now you can use your main App Store for all your other apps, while still having access to Japanese PJSK! When PJSK has an update, you'll simply sign back into your Japanese Apple ID in the App Store to download it, then switch back to your main ID.
Troubleshooting & Important Notes
- Storage Space: PJSK is a large game. Ensure your iPad has sufficient free storage before downloading.
- Updates: To update the Japanese PJSK, you will need to switch back to your Japanese Apple ID in the App Store. The App Store will notify you of updates for apps downloaded with that specific ID.
- In-App Purchases: If you wish to make in-app purchases in the Japanese version, you will need to have a valid Japanese payment method linked to your Japanese Apple ID. This is often the trickiest part for non-Japanese residents. Gift cards for the Japanese App Store (often called "iTunes Japan Gift Cards") are a common workaround, which can be purchased from various online retailers.
- Game Center/Account Linking: Project SEKAI allows you to link your game account for data transfer (e.g., if you get a new device). Make sure to utilize the transfer ID and password system within the game itself to back up your progress, rather than relying solely on Game Center (which is tied to your Apple ID region).
- VPN: A VPN is not necessary to download the game. Your Apple ID region dictates App Store access. While a VPN might be useful for playing if your region has connection issues, it doesn't help with the initial download.
- If you get stuck: Double-check every step, especially the country/region selection and ensuring you picked "None" for payment. If you still face issues, try restarting your iPad and attempting the process again.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to: Check my current Apple ID region?
You can check your current Apple ID region by going to Settings on your iPad, tapping your Apple ID banner at the top, then going to Media & Purchases > View Account > Country/Region.
How to: Find a Japanese address and phone number for Apple ID creation?
You can search online for addresses of public places in Japan, like museums, universities, or even hotels. For example, search for "Tokyo Museum address" or "Kyoto Public Library phone number." Ensure the address includes a postcode.
How to: Switch between different Apple IDs on my iPad?
Go to Settings > (Your Name/Apple ID banner), scroll down and tap Sign Out. Then, tap Sign in to your iPad and enter the credentials for the Apple ID you wish to use.
How to: Update Project SEKAI JP after downloading it?
Sign out of your current Apple ID in the App Store (via Settings > Your Name > Sign Out), then sign in with your Japanese Apple ID. The App Store will then show updates for your Japanese apps, including PJSK. After updating, you can switch back to your main Apple ID.
How to: Make in-app purchases in Japanese Project SEKAI?
You'll need a valid Japanese payment method linked to your Japanese Apple ID. The most common way for international users is to purchase Japanese iTunes gift cards from reputable online retailers and redeem them on your Japanese Apple ID.
How to: Transfer my Project SEKAI JP game data to a new iPad?
Within the PJSK game, go to Menu > Account Transfer > Transfer to different OS. Generate a transfer ID and password. On your new iPad, after installing the game, use these details on the title screen's Account Transfer option to restore your data.
How to: Know if my iPad meets the system requirements for Project SEKAI JP?
Project SEKAI generally requires iOS 12.0 or later. For optimal performance, devices like iPhone 11 or newer are recommended. Most recent iPad models should run the game smoothly, but older iPads might experience some lag on higher difficulty charts or during intensive scenes.
How to: Get support for Project SEKAI JP in English?
Official support for the Japanese version is primarily in Japanese. However, many fan communities (like Reddit, Discord, and Twitter) have English-speaking sections where you can ask for help or find troubleshooting guides.
How to: Delete my Japanese Apple ID if I no longer need it?
If you've spent any store credit, you can delete an Apple ID by following Apple's official account deletion process via their privacy website. However, it's often simpler to just keep it inactive if you think you might need it again for other Japanese apps.
How to: Play both English and Japanese Project SEKAI on the same iPad?
Yes, you can have both versions installed on the same iPad. Download the English version with your primary Apple ID, and then follow this guide to download the Japanese version using your Japanese Apple ID. They will appear as separate apps on your home screen.