Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. (hereafter Toppan Printing; head office: Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo; President & Representative Director: Shingo Kaneko) launched the TABIDO® Platform in November 2016. As a service platform for communicating the appeal of Japan globally, it forms the core of TABIDO®,*1 a tourism-based regional revitalization project that aims to make Japan a country that tourists want to visit multiple times. The TABIDO app provides automatic speech translation and video content in multiple languages and has been used by more than 80,000 people (as of the end of April 2018).
 
 In collaboration with Toppan Group company Mapion Co., Ltd. (hereafter Mapion; head office: Minato Ward, Tokyo; President: Mitsuhiro Nakao), the TABIDO app’s navigation functions have been enhanced and its user interface improved to make it easier for users to find the information they are looking for and the places they want to visit. A new version of the app, featuring roughly three times the volume of content of previous versions, was launched in May 2018.
 
 A new TABIDO website has also been launched to communicate the appeal of Japan. The site features a wide range of information for tourists, such as Tabi no Kokoro-e (Travel Wisdom for Enjoying Japan), which provides tourism information and basic knowledge to enable people to enjoy travelling in Japan.
 
 Toppan Printing will use TABIDO® to provide comprehensive support to regional governments and hospitality businesses. Information and communications technologies will be employed for a wide range of activities, from enhancing the appeal of tourist destinations to creating environments enabling greater comfort and convenience during stays in Japan.

Background

 The number of foreign visitors to Japan is rising, and further increases are anticipated in the lead up to international cultural and sporting events. To establish Japan as a major tourist destination, efforts are underway to enhance the appeal of the country, improve the quality of information provision, and establish environments that offer comfort and convenience to people travelling and sightseeing.
 
To cater to these needs, Toppan Printing has updated the TABIDO® Platform for promoting the appeal of Japan around the world. This will enable foreign visitors to access a wide range of information more easily. Features include the aforementioned Tabi no Kokoro-e, which provides tourist information and teaches people about culture and etiquette, as well as interactive content designed to stimulate people’s interest in visiting particular locations. Local governments and hospitality businesses throughout the country will be able to use the TabiTra®*2 speech translation function of the TABIDO app to facilitate communication with visitors in various languages and provide an outstanding Japanese travel experience.

TABIDO app and TABIDO website content

 The app and website provide information on Japan in various languages. Features include Tabi no Kokoro-e, which enables tourists to learn about Japanese culture and etiquette, original TABIDO® content, and interactive 360-degree VR content.

・Tabi no Kokoro-e
Showing people how to enjoy Japan

This piece of original TABIDO® content provides guidance on various aspects of travel in Japan, such as traditional seasonal events, protocol when visiting a shrine, and the way to take a bath in a hot spring. It features information that enables foreign visitors to further their understanding of Japan and enjoy culture and tourism.

・Original TABIDO® tourism and interactive content
TABIDO® provides a unique perspective on popular sightseeing spots in Japan. It presents information in a varied range of categories matched to the interests of domestic and foreign tourists. Interactive 360-degree VR content cultivates greater interest in tourist destinations, and users can share content they like via social media.

TABIDO app’s tourist guide functions

The TABIDO app provides various solutions to foreign and domestic tourists in Japan. Its navigation services makes use of Mapion’s technology and expertise, TabiTra® provides translation of speech, and AReader®*3 enables content to be viewed by scanning special markers displayed at sightseeing spots.

 ・Mapion-linked navigation service
Using Mapion’s maps, the navigation service has been enhanced to guide tourists more accurately to their destination. The navigation function is built into the app to enable guidance when traveling by foot, car, or public transport.

 ・TabiTra® speech translation app
Toppan Printing’s original TabiTra® speech translation app is included to support communication while traveling. It provides translation for 21 languages, including English, Chinese, and Korean.

・Provision of information at sightseeing spots via AReader®
Toppan Printing’s augmented reality app, AReader®, is included in the TABIDO app. Users can scan special markers at tourist spots to enjoy a unique experience.


 

Future developments

 Toppan Printing is targeting sales of approximately 30 billion yen for its TABIDO®-related business in fiscal 2022. The company is aiming to achieve this through inbound tourism-related business and the establishment of tourist destinations contributing to regional revitalization.
 Based on these efforts, Toppan will combine content with information and communications technologies to drive the enhancement of value for tourist sites throughout Japan and facilitate an outstanding travel experience for foreign visitors by providing them with guidance on how to get to their destination, information on the areas surrounding event venues, and speech translation services.