Hospitality Culture, Senior Pilgrims, and Foreign Pilgrims—Three Guides Become AI Avatars to Reach the World in 8 Languages

Kon'nichi Hello Inc. (Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Shingo Hayami), in collaboration with Shinwa Agency Inc. and Kokoro Travel Inc., will launch a new video content series on July 2026 through the "Ohenro Information Portal Site for Foreigners" (OHENRO.ONLINE), operated by the "Project Committee for Disseminating the Appeal of Ohenro to the World."

This series will utilize Kon'nichi Hello Inc.'s AI avatar and multilingual video translation technology, combined with human translation and supervision, to expand Japanese or English-based videos into 8 languages. Three guides who support Shikoku pilgrimage will convey the culture, history, etiquette, and practical pilgrimage information of Ohenro from their unique perspectives to the world.

The content to be released features AI avatars of:

Kayoko Ochi, who conveys the culture of hospitality

Hideo Yamazaki, a senior pilgrim who explains the history and prayer etiquette of Shikoku pilgrimage

Mr. Johannes Elze, who introduces practical perspectives unique to foreign pilgrims

From left: Kayoko Ochi, Hideo Yamazaki, and Mr. Johannes Elze

Based on Japanese and English original scripts, the content will be expanded into a total of 8 languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), and Japanese, creating an environment where prospective pilgrims worldwide can understand in their native languages.

Pilgrimage Where Foreigners Can Understand Not Only "How to Walk" but Also "The Meaning"

In recent years, Shikoku pilgrimage has been visited by many foreign pilgrims, mainly from Europe, America, and Asia.

However, cultural backgrounds that are not fully understood even by Japanese people, such as:

Why not use a cane on bridges?

Why is the Kongo-tsue (pilgrim's staff) treated with such care?

What kind of culture is 'Osettai' (hospitality)?

Trivia for walking pilgrimage

are rarely available to learn in multiple languages.

Therefore, OHENRO.ONLINE is sequentially releasing video content that conveys "culture, spirituality, and practical knowledge," not just tourist information.

In the new series, the use of AI avatars will streamline multilingual expansion and deliver natural videos that capture the speaker's tone and atmosphere to the world.

Distribution Content

Kayo-chan Avatar

An avatar of Ms. Kayoko Ochi, a senior pilgrim who operates the hospitality facility "Osettai Salon Kayo-chan House" in Kumakogen Town, Ehime Prefecture.

From the popular hospitality facility among foreign pilgrims, it introduces traditions and considerations that can only be known through walking pilgrimage, such as:

The meaning embedded in the Kongo-tsue

The history of the Gorinto (five-ring pagoda) and Kongo-tsue

How to light a candle

Etiquette when crossing bridges

Hideo Yamazaki Avatar

An avatar of Mr. Hideo Yamazaki, a certified senior pilgrim of the Shikoku Henro 88 Temple Pilgrimage.

An expert in Shikoku pilgrimage with over 20 years of guiding experience for both walking and bus pilgrimages, he will provide easy-to-understand explanations of historical backgrounds such as:

The origins of Shikoku pilgrimage

The history of the establishment of the 88 temples

The first pilgrimage guidebook from the Edo period

Shinnnen, the father of Shikoku pilgrimage

Johannes Avatar

An avatar of Mr. Johannes Elze, a pilgrim and designer from Germany.

From the perspective of a foreign pilgrim, he will share practical advice for pilgrims, such as:

Tips for walking at each temple

Points where foreigners often get lost

Locations of restrooms and rest areas

Information available in English

Practical advice from a pilgrim's viewpoint

These "Johannes Tips," previously published for each temple on the site, will be re-disseminated worldwide as avatars.

Supporting Cultural Transmission with AI-Powered Multilingual Videos

Kon'nichi Hello Inc. produces videos in multiple languages while preserving the original person's expressions and nuances as much as possible by combining AI-powered multilingual video translation technology with human translation and quality control.

While translation, subtitling, and narration production traditionally required significant time and cost, this technology is being used to create an environment where valuable cultural assets dormant in regions can be continuously disseminated to the world.

OHENRO.ONLINE will continue to expand its content from diverse perspectives, including temple officials, local residents, senior pilgrims, and foreign pilgrims, to widely promote the cultural value of Shikoku pilgrimage both domestically and internationally.

Site Overview

Site Name

OHENRO.ONLINE

Content

A multilingual portal site disseminating the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage to the world

Supported Languages Japanese, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional)

URL https://ohenro.online/

About the "Project Committee for Disseminating the Appeal of Ohenro to the World"

"OHENRO.ONLINE" is a multilingual portal site that disseminates the appeal of Shikoku pilgrimage to the world, operated by the "Project Committee for Disseminating the Appeal of Ohenro to the World," composed of Shinwa Agency Inc., Kokoro Travel Inc., and Kon'nichi Hello Inc. Leveraging the expertise of each company, the committee aims to correctly convey the pilgrimage culture and regional attractions to the world, and through AI-powered multilingual videos, create content that deepens understanding of Ohenro culture for both Japanese and foreigners.

About Kon'nichi Hello Inc.

Kon'nichi Hello Inc. operates a multilingual video production and localization business utilizing hybrid translation technology combining AI and human expertise. The company supports information dissemination beyond language barriers, primarily in the fields of tourism, local government, culture, and education.