Together with artist Ricky Doornbos, ManHong Lam initiated and conducted a research project at Tenjinyama Art Studio in Sapporo, Japan. The project focused on the phenomenon of Contents Tourism. Contents Tourism is tourism that is stimulated by the content (narratives, characters, locations) of films, literature, games, anime, television dramas and other forms of popular culture. The use of popular culture to promote tourism, both nationally and internationally, is a core component of the "Cool Japan" strategy and has been part of government policy for the revitalization of local communities since 2005. Lam: 'What interests us is how this national strategy shapes and connects local stories. But also where and how, as a result of Contents Tourism, existing stories and memories are transformed into new stories and perspectives.'

Doornbos and Lam developed three separate exhibitions in which they connected historical elements and narratives from the Hokkaido region with various vectors from popular culture. These exhibitions included documentation, photography, installations and crafts, which allowed us to gain new perspectives on narratives. By using Contents Tourism as a research method, they attempted to create a dialogue with the audience about the ways in which existing narratives can be transformed from traumatic experiences to cultural consumption.