HOTARU
HOTARU-AR World
A message of light,
left in a place
Leave messages and treasure chests at real spots around town. When someone nearby holds up their camera, a glowing box appears — and they can open it.
Latest update — 1.3
Redesigned 3D boxes and treasure chests, an AR scene that resumes when you return from another tab within 45 seconds, and reduced battery use.
See what’s new →Place it. Find it. Open it.
Simple to use. The places you go become someone else's discovery.
Leave it right here
Write a message and place it where you stand. Fine-tune the spot on the map, and choose Permanent or One-time.
Find it on the map
See every light nearby on a map or list — what is where, and how much closer you need to get to open it.
Open it in AR
Get close and hold up your camera: the lights appear in the street. Tap to open, and keep what you find in My Boxes.
Five kinds of light
Pick the one that fits the place and the purpose.
Box
The basic box of light, for messages and directions.
Bread
A trail marker with no text. Line them up to make a route.
Treasure chest
A reward for whoever finds it — the finish line of a hunt.
Premium
Coin
Find coins other people have left around town and watch your collection grow. You can't pick up a coin you placed yourself.
Premium
Lantern
A warm light for the street. Tap it to turn its glow from red to blue.
PremiumWays to play
A treasure hunt, with chests
Lay bread along the way and put a chest at the finish. Write the next chest's number inside, and it becomes a chain of puzzles.
An anniversary message
Leave words at a special place, to be opened on the day. Set it to One-time, and the moment it opens happens only once.
A guide to your town
Leave tips at your favorite shops and sights that can only be read on the spot. The more you walk, the more stories the town holds.
FAQ
Is HOTARU free?
Downloading, finding and opening lights, and collecting coins are all free. On the free plan you can also place 5 boxes and 5 bread every day. Premium ($2.99/month) adds treasure chests and coins and removes the placement limits.
How many things can I place per day?
On the free plan, up to 5 boxes and 5 bread per day. Once you reach the limit, you can place more the next day. Premium has no limits.
I can't find anything nearby.
The map shows lights within 500 m, and the camera shows those within 50 m. Some places don't have any yet, so why not place the first one?
How close do I need to be to open one?
Inside the opening distance its creator chose, between 5 and 100 m. The map and list tell you how many meters are left.
Can I leave a message for one specific person?
Combine a password, "open once", and hiding it from the Find map. A hidden light still appears when someone points the camera at that spot.
Can I place coins myself?
Yes, with Premium. You can't collect the coins you place, though — you can only collect coins other people have left. A collected coin reappears in the same spot after a while.
Can I place things anywhere?
Only in outdoor public spaces. Please don't place anything inside buildings, on private property, on roads, or anywhere it isn't safe to stop.
Can I use it while walking?
Always stop somewhere safe before looking at the screen. Please don't use it while walking in crowds, on train platforms, or near roads.
What if I find an inappropriate message?
Tell us the place and what it says from Settings → Support and account → Contact in the app. We'll review it and hide or remove it.
Do I need an account?
No. You can start right away without an email address or name.
Which devices are supported?
ARKit-capable iPhones running iOS 17 or later.
How do I cancel Premium?
Anytime from iPhone Settings → your name → Subscriptions. Premium stays active until the end of the current period.
Turn your town into a story
Get “HOTARU-AR World” free on the App Store.