Seibu Railway Expands Tourism AI Agent Demonstration Experiment at Seibu-Chichibu and Yokoze Stations
Flyout Planning and Seibu Railway have expanded their demonstration experiment using interactive AI agents, 'Alice' and 'Alisa,' at Yokoze and Seibu-Chichibu stations. Supporting over 57 languages, the AI agents offer mobile integration and entertainment features to promote Chichibu tourism and handle inbound tourists.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 15, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 13:38 (99h 7m after Collected)
Flyout Planning Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Hidenori Kikuchi), in collaboration with Seibu Railway Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "Seibu Railway"), is conducting a demonstration experiment using interactive AI agents aimed at promoting the appeal of the Chichibu and Yokoze areas.
Following Ashigakubo Station, the tourism AI agent "Alice (younger sister)" was installed at Yokoze Station on March 11, 2026, and "Alisa (older sister)" at Seibu-Chichibu Station on April 4. The two characters not only converse via digital signage in over 57 languages but also issue QR codes that can be used on smartphones 24 hours a day to provide continuous tourist information throughout the journey. They are also equipped with new features that enhance entertainment value, such as "Fortune Telling" and "Photo Shooting," thereby strengthening the promotion of Chichibu's charm.
Tourism AI Agent "Alisa" / Installed at the entrance of Seibu-Chichibu Station's hot spring "Matsuri no Yu"
Background of the Demonstration Experiment
The Yokoze and Chichibu areas enter their Shibazakura (pink moss) season from mid-April, attracting approximately 200,000 tourists through the Golden Week holidays. The proportion of inbound tourists in the Chichibu area has been fluctuating between 3% and 5%, and several thousand foreign visitors are expected during the Shibazakura season.
With the increase in tourists, inquiries at Yokoze and Seibu-Chichibu stations have surged, raising the need for multilingual support. Therefore, following the first phase at Ashigakubo Station, Seibu Railway introduced "Alice (younger sister)" as the second phase at Yokoze Station, and "Alisa (older sister)" as the third phase at Seibu-Chichibu Station. This initiative aims to reduce the burden on station staff, enhance support for inbound tourists, and expand awareness of the Chichibu area.
Incidentally, at Ashigakubo Station, "Alice (younger sister)" was introduced to coincide with the icicle event, recording a signage response rate of 34%. The ongoing deployment at Yokoze Station is maintaining a rate of about 14%. Compared to the industry average for signage response rates (around 10%), Alice maintains a high standard. Using these figures as a baseline, the response rate for Alisa at Seibu-Chichibu Station will also be measured.
This demonstration experiment plans to change contact routes monthly and implement social media expansions and QR code distributions at other stations. By analyzing dialogue logs and changes in usage status, this will lead to future developments in tourism DX.
Overview of the Demonstration Experiment
Period (Planned)
(1) Yokoze Station Alice: Wednesday, March 11, 2026 – Sunday, May 31, 2026
(2) Seibu-Chichibu Station Alisa: Saturday, April 4, 2026 – Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Signage Installation Locations
(1) Yokoze Station Alice: Entrance of "ENgaWA Station Front Diner"
(2) Seibu-Chichibu Station Alisa: Entrance of Seibu-Chichibu Station hot spring "Matsuri no Yu"
Content
Yokoze Station's Alice and Seibu-Chichibu Station's Alisa are university student sisters majoring in international relations. The two have contrasting personalities; the older sister Alisa is bright and knowledgeable, deeply passionate about conveying the charm of Japanese culture. The younger sister Alice is slightly childish, talkative, and friendly. Alice has detailed information about the entire Chichibu area centering on Yokoze Town, while Alisa holds broader knowledge of the entire Chichibu City area, each guiding users in their areas of expertise.
By scanning the QR code from the signage installed at the station, they become available 24 hours a day on smartphones.
Alisa (older sister) and Alice (younger sister) deployed on mobile
Equipped with New Features
Both Alice and Alisa are equipped with new features that introduce Chichibu in a fun way.
[Photo Shooting]
You can take a photo with Alice/Alisa against the backdrop of Yokoze and Chichibu landscapes. Alice/Alisa will strike a pose with you via AR synthesis, staging a fun trip.
You can take the photo home by scanning the QR code displayed on the signage screen.
The default setting is private, but it is also possible to leave the photo in the signage gallery.
[Original Song]
If you say "Sing to me," they will sing an original song.
Alice -> "🎵 Ichigo no Uta" (Strawberry Song) - An original song by Alice, who loves Yokoze's strawberries.
Alisa -> "🎵 Somewhere Slow" - An original song by Alisa, who loves the slow atmosphere of Chichibu.
[Fortune Telling]
AI fortune telling. Alisa will predict your fortune.
[Rock-Paper-Scissors]
Alice can play "rock-paper-scissors." If you win, Alice will tell you a private secret. If you lose, please follow Alice's recommendation.
Commemorative photo with Alisa. Staging a fun trip with AR synthesis against the Chichibu landscape. The photo can be taken home via QR code.
About the "Interactive AI Agent"
Our AI agents are characterized by having personality settings and missions (roles to fulfill).
Following Ashigakubo Station, the tourism AI agent "Alice (younger sister)" was installed at Yokoze Station on March 11, 2026, and "Alisa (older sister)" at Seibu-Chichibu Station on April 4. The two characters not only converse via digital signage in over 57 languages but also issue QR codes that can be used on smartphones 24 hours a day to provide continuous tourist information throughout the journey. They are also equipped with new features that enhance entertainment value, such as "Fortune Telling" and "Photo Shooting," thereby strengthening the promotion of Chichibu's charm.
Tourism AI Agent "Alisa" / Installed at the entrance of Seibu-Chichibu Station's hot spring "Matsuri no Yu"
Background of the Demonstration Experiment
The Yokoze and Chichibu areas enter their Shibazakura (pink moss) season from mid-April, attracting approximately 200,000 tourists through the Golden Week holidays. The proportion of inbound tourists in the Chichibu area has been fluctuating between 3% and 5%, and several thousand foreign visitors are expected during the Shibazakura season.
With the increase in tourists, inquiries at Yokoze and Seibu-Chichibu stations have surged, raising the need for multilingual support. Therefore, following the first phase at Ashigakubo Station, Seibu Railway introduced "Alice (younger sister)" as the second phase at Yokoze Station, and "Alisa (older sister)" as the third phase at Seibu-Chichibu Station. This initiative aims to reduce the burden on station staff, enhance support for inbound tourists, and expand awareness of the Chichibu area.
Incidentally, at Ashigakubo Station, "Alice (younger sister)" was introduced to coincide with the icicle event, recording a signage response rate of 34%. The ongoing deployment at Yokoze Station is maintaining a rate of about 14%. Compared to the industry average for signage response rates (around 10%), Alice maintains a high standard. Using these figures as a baseline, the response rate for Alisa at Seibu-Chichibu Station will also be measured.
This demonstration experiment plans to change contact routes monthly and implement social media expansions and QR code distributions at other stations. By analyzing dialogue logs and changes in usage status, this will lead to future developments in tourism DX.
Overview of the Demonstration Experiment
Period (Planned)
(1) Yokoze Station Alice: Wednesday, March 11, 2026 – Sunday, May 31, 2026
(2) Seibu-Chichibu Station Alisa: Saturday, April 4, 2026 – Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Signage Installation Locations
(1) Yokoze Station Alice: Entrance of "ENgaWA Station Front Diner"
(2) Seibu-Chichibu Station Alisa: Entrance of Seibu-Chichibu Station hot spring "Matsuri no Yu"
Content
Yokoze Station's Alice and Seibu-Chichibu Station's Alisa are university student sisters majoring in international relations. The two have contrasting personalities; the older sister Alisa is bright and knowledgeable, deeply passionate about conveying the charm of Japanese culture. The younger sister Alice is slightly childish, talkative, and friendly. Alice has detailed information about the entire Chichibu area centering on Yokoze Town, while Alisa holds broader knowledge of the entire Chichibu City area, each guiding users in their areas of expertise.
By scanning the QR code from the signage installed at the station, they become available 24 hours a day on smartphones.
Alisa (older sister) and Alice (younger sister) deployed on mobile
Equipped with New Features
Both Alice and Alisa are equipped with new features that introduce Chichibu in a fun way.
[Photo Shooting]
You can take a photo with Alice/Alisa against the backdrop of Yokoze and Chichibu landscapes. Alice/Alisa will strike a pose with you via AR synthesis, staging a fun trip.
You can take the photo home by scanning the QR code displayed on the signage screen.
The default setting is private, but it is also possible to leave the photo in the signage gallery.
[Original Song]
If you say "Sing to me," they will sing an original song.
Alice -> "🎵 Ichigo no Uta" (Strawberry Song) - An original song by Alice, who loves Yokoze's strawberries.
Alisa -> "🎵 Somewhere Slow" - An original song by Alisa, who loves the slow atmosphere of Chichibu.
[Fortune Telling]
AI fortune telling. Alisa will predict your fortune.
[Rock-Paper-Scissors]
Alice can play "rock-paper-scissors." If you win, Alice will tell you a private secret. If you lose, please follow Alice's recommendation.
Commemorative photo with Alisa. Staging a fun trip with AR synthesis against the Chichibu landscape. The photo can be taken home via QR code.
About the "Interactive AI Agent"
Our AI agents are characterized by having personality settings and missions (roles to fulfill).