AI Simultaneous Interpretation System Introduced on Amphibious Bus 'Sky Duck Yokohama' Ahead of Kanagawa-Yokohama Destination Campaign, Enhancing Services for Foreign Visitors and Accessibility

Hinomaru Jidosha Kogyo Co., Ltd. (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; President & Representative Director: Satoshi Tomita), which operates the amphibious bus 'Sky Duck Yokohama,' will introduce the AI simultaneous interpretation service 'Sentio - Pocketalk for Tour' developed by Pocketalk Co., Ltd. (Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President & Representative Executive Officer: Noriyuki Matsuda), in conjunction with the Kanagawa-Yokohama Destination Campaign.

By enabling real-time multilingual interpretation of the live guide, a key feature of Sky Duck Yokohama, the company aims to strengthen sightseeing information services for foreign visitors to Japan and further capture inbound tourism demand.

This is the first nationwide introduction of such a system on an amphibious bus, supporting 77 languages (as of June 2026). Passengers can scan a QR code displayed inside the vehicle to enjoy the live guide provided by Sky Duck attendants in text and audio formats. The real-time text display also creates an environment where passengers with hearing impairments can enjoy the live guide, promoting universal tourism.

The service will commence on Monday, June 8, 2026, on weekdays only, with plans to offer the simultaneous interpretation service on all services from July 2026 onwards.

Sky Duck Yokohama will continue to promote the attractions of Kanagawa Prefecture and the Yokohama area, aiming to provide enjoyable sightseeing services for a wider range of customers, including foreign visitors to Japan.

■ Overview of Amphibious Bus 'Sky Duck Yokohama'

The amphibious bus 'Sky Duck Yokohama' is a sightseeing bus that allows passengers to enjoy the Yokohama Minato Mirai area from both land and water. Its main feature is a dynamic 'splash-in' where the vehicle drives on roads and then enters the sea, offering a unique perspective of Yokohama's landscape. On land, the route passes iconic Yokohama landmarks such as the Yokohama Three Towers (Kanagawa Prefectural Government Building, Yokohama Customs Building, Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Hall), the Red Brick Warehouse, Yokohama Hammerhead, and the giant Ferris wheel 'Cosmo Clock 21,' allowing passengers to experience the port city's unique streetscape up close.

Furthermore, the water route offers the great appeal of enjoying the scenery of Yokohama Port from an unusual perspective. From the sea, passengers can take in panoramic views of the Minato Mirai skyscrapers, the Ferris wheel, the Red Brick Warehouse, and the Bay Bridge, experiencing the changing expressions of Yokohama's landscape depending on the time of day and weather. Another feature is the opportunity to see large cruise ships up close from the sea when they are in port.

Inside the vehicle, attendants provide live guides, offering not only sightseeing information but also stories about Yokohama's history, port culture, and local anecdotes, creating an immersive tour experience. Since its launch in 2016, the service has been used by many customers, with a cumulative ridership exceeding 300,000.

■ About Sentio - Pocketalk for Tour

The AI simultaneous interpretation service 'Sentio - Pocketalk for Tour' interprets the guide's spoken Japanese into multiple languages. This service allows a single guide who speaks only Japanese to provide interpretation and translation in up to 77 languages. Both the guide and tour participants can use the service without any prior software installation, making it easy for first-time users.

Tour participants can use the service simply by scanning a QR code with their own smartphone or other internet-connected device, making it accessible to everyone.

URL for details: https://pocketalk.jp/fortour

■ About the Destination Campaign

This is a large-scale tourism campaign where local governments and tourism businesses collaborate with the six JR Group companies (Hokkaido, East Japan, Central Japan, West Japan, Shikoku, and Kyushu) to promote the appeal of the host region and attract visitors from across the country.

In conjunction with GREEN×EXPO 2027 (2027 International Horticultural Exposition), Kanagawa Prefecture, Yokohama City, and the JR Group will jointly hold the 'Kanagawa-Yokohama Destination Campaign' from April to June 2027.

The Kanagawa-Yokohama Destination Campaign Promotion Council, the main organizing body, will hold the 'Kanagawa-Yokohama Destination Campaign Pre-Campaign' from April to June 2026, one year before the main event, in cooperation with the Yokohama Branch of East Japan Railway Company.

Under the catchphrase 'Everything about your journey is here,' the campaign will feature numerous special programs that leverage the diverse attractions of Kanagawa and Yokohama, including the sea, mountains, city, and culture.

■ Departure Point

Sky Duck Yokohama Nihonmaru Ticket Counter

2-1 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama City, 220-0012

Inside Nihonmaru Memorial Park

[Access]

・5-minute walk from Sakuragicho Station on the JR Keihin-Tohoku Line/Negishi Line

・10-minute walk from Minatomirai Station on the Yokohama Minatomirai Railway

・8-minute walk from Sakuragicho Station on the Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line

Sky Duck Yokohama Minato Haikara Course

■ Schedule: Please check the official website.

■ Route: Nihonmaru Memorial Park (Sakuragicho) ~ Yokohama Three Towers ~ Red Brick Warehouse ~ Sea Route ~ Nihonmaru Memorial Park (Minatomirai)

Approximately 50 minutes per circuit

■ Fares:

Weekdays: Adults 3,600 yen, Children 1,800 yen, Infants (0-3 years) 500 yen

Weekends and holidays (and other specified periods): Adults 4,000 yen, Children 2,000 yen, Infants (0-3 years) 500 yen

Sky Duck Yokohama Twilight Cruise

■ Operating Days: Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (including some weekdays during peak periods)

■ Schedule: Please check the official website.

■ Route: Nihonmaru Memorial Park (Sakuragicho) ~ Bankoku Bridge ~ Sea Route ~ Nihonmaru Memorial Park (Minatomirai)

Approximately 40 minutes per circuit

■ Fares: Adults 4,000 yen, Children 2,000 yen, Infants (0-3 years) 500 yen

● Regarding Operations

Please note that services may be suspended without notice due to adverse weather conditions (strong winds exceeding 10 m/s, lightning, low tide, etc.) or vehicle malfunctions.

*Sky Duck Yokohama is operated jointly with City Access Co., Ltd.

*Sky Duck is a registered trademark of Hinomaru Jidosha Kogyo Co., Ltd. (Registration No. 5327221).

Sky Bus / Sky Duck Official Website: https://www.skybus.jp/

Sky Duck Official X: https://x.com/321skyduck

Hinomaru Jidosha Kogyo Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skybus_hinomaru_official/

*Information is current as of June 2026.

*All images and illustrations are for illustrative purposes only.

*Details are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Please understand in advance.