The Yakushima Academy, a general incorporated association, is currently conducting a trial project for a new travel support tool, the “Yakushima AI Chatbot,” as part of the “Model Project for Creating a Sustainable Cycle for Sustainable Tourism (Demonstration Project)” by the Tourism Agency. This chatbot incorporates feedback from local guides and tourists, adapting to and learning from tourists’ questions and needs. The aim is to create a system nurtured by both tourists and locals, offering a satisfying travel experience through personalized information provision.
（Source：The Yakushima Academy）
Moreover, the chatbot is capable of responding in English through automatic translation, in addition to Japanese, catering to the needs of inbound tourists. Future plans include offering easy support for tourists, such as guidance on transportation access, recommendations for restaurants and accommodations on the island based on user preferences and budget, and travel planning suggestions.
Yakushima is known for its natural tourism, but there has been a need to address long inquiries from tourists and the need for information dissemination in English. To tackle these issues, the Yakushima AI Chatbot provides basic information and general inquiries support, allowing local contact persons to focus on specialized content.
Furthermore, in cases where issues cannot be resolved, a paid online consultation (zoom) is available, with local staff providing concrete and specialized support. The Yakushima Academy plans to continue evolving the Yakushima AI Chatbot into an essential tool for visitors to Yakushima.
Lastly, the Yakushima Academy has been entrusted with the “Fiscal Year Reiwa 5 Model Project for Creating a Sustainable Cycle for Sustainable Tourism (Demonstration Project)” by the Tourism Agency. This organization hosts the “Yakushima University,” an open learning space inviting a wide range of experts in nature, history, cultural arts, urban development, tourism, and disaster prevention, using Yakushima as a field.