Travel

Skytree Begins 'Real-Time Translator'

TOKYO, Nov 11 (News On Japan) - Tokyo Skytree has started a pilot project for a 'Real-Time Translator' that can display up to 100 languages.

With the Christmas market open and the weekend drawing crowds, the Skytree is bustling with people. Currently, about 40% of Skytree’s visitors are foreign tourists, many of whom come from non-English-speaking countries, making multilingual service a key challenge.

The experimental device being introduced at the ticket counter from November 11th is called the "VUEVO Display." It can translate up to 100 languages and display subtitles on screen in real-time.

Tourist from Peru: "It's so cool. The translations were very fast and accurate."

Tourist from India: "It's very convenient. I think it's helpful not only for tourists but also for operators."

Since the subtitles are projected on a transparent display, staff can maintain eye contact and gauge expressions while interacting.

Hiroshi Hashimoto, Planning Manager at Tobu Tower Skytree Co., Ltd., said, "We hope each interaction creates lasting memories, encouraging visitors to return to Japan and Skytree."

Tokyo Skytree is considering expanding the installation of this technology in more locations in the future.

Source: FNN

Four Young Mechanics Die After Car Crashes at High Speed

A passenger car was captured speeding across the frame from left to right by a security camera just moments before a fatal crash in Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, that claimed the lives of four vocational school students.

Fire Breaks Out on Yodobashi Camera Billboard in Front of JR Osaka Station

A fire broke out on the evening of April 25th on an electronic billboard attached to the Yodobashi Camera commercial complex in front of JR Osaka Station, prompting a large emergency response. No injuries were reported.

Toxic Chemicals Detected in Rivers and Groundwater Across Japan

Organic fluorine compounds known as PFAS—suspected to be harmful to human health—have been detected at concentrations exceeding the national provisional target in rivers and groundwater at 242 sites across 22 prefectures, according to a government survey.

Japan to Issue Bicycle Blue Tickets from April 2026

The Japanese government will begin issuing blue tickets for bicycle traffic violations in April 2026, with fines including 5,000 yen for ignoring stop signs and up to 12,000 yen for riding while using a smartphone.

Woman Arrested for Drunk Driving After Eating Alcohol-Filled Chocolate

A 26-year-old woman was arrested in the early hours of April 24th in Kasuya Town, Fukuoka Prefecture, on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. While admitting to the offense, she claimed, "I ate chocolate that contained alcohol."

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

USJ Expands Minion Park With New Ride for Summer

Universal Studios Japan has announced a surprise expansion of its popular Minion Park, increasing the area by 1.4 times and unveiling a new attraction that features the park’s first-ever moving walkway.

Japan to Introduce ESTA-Like System for Tourists Visiting Japan

Japan plans to introduce a new electronic travel authorization system to bolster immigration screening for foreign visitors, moving up its original timeline in response to the recent surge in arrivals.

Osaka Expo Attendance Tops One Million

The total number of visitors to Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai surpassed one million on April 23rd, just 11 days after the event began. Despite being a weekday, the venue remained crowded, with long lines forming at popular pavilions such as the one from the United States.