Japan’s railway operator JR Central, which serves the Chubu region including the areas around Mount Fuji, is launching a pilot AI-powered language service for foreign travellers. The test will take place at Tokyo’s Shinagawa Station, a major hub for the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet trains.
The trial will run from mid-December to mid-March. Visitors will be able to scan a QR code placed around the station to access a dedicated website.
The AI chatbot will provide:
-
detailed guidance on Shinkansen routes and services;
-
instructions on how to purchase tickets;
-
advice on handling large or oversized luggage;
-
location-based information tailored to the traveller’s journey.
The service will be available in English, Chinese, Korean, French and Spanish. English-speaking users will also receive cultural and historical commentary about the regions the train passes through.
JR Central says it will consider expanding the service and its features depending on the outcome of the trial.