Discover Epic Summer Travel With These 6 Google And ChatGPT AI Companions

Dreaming of getting away but don’t know where to start? Let these six AI companions help you find the perfect trip.

Roam Around

Topping the list is Roamaround.io, a ChatGPT trip planner launched earlier this year by former Googler Shie Gabbai.

Prompting it to find fun things to do in Tokyo in June, it recommended a morning hike of the Mt. Fuji Yoshda Trail, an afternoon visit to the Ghibli Museum to explore the anime films of Hayao Miyazaki, and the Shimokitazawa rave scene by night. Other recommendations included a boat ride on Lake Okutama, a tour of Odawara Castle, Little Prince Museum, Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum, Tuskuba Space Center and the trendy neighborhoods of Rappongi, Ginza and Akihabara – all in one beautifully detailed itinerary with photos and links to TripAdvisor’s Viator site.

Google Bard

Google Bard at bard.google.com also offered a detailed itinerary with photos and links. On its list was the Hachiko Statue near the famous Shibuya crossing and Harajuku’s Takeshita Street for fashionable cosplay, strolling the Tokyo Imperial Palace East Garden, taking in a sumo tournament at the Ryogoku Kokugikan and going on a scenic train ride to the Hakone caldera to enjoy hot springs, boat rides on Lake Ashi, and stunning Mount Fuji views. It also recommended Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku with its laser-lit dancing giant robots which unfortunately its closing, so always a good idea to check the websites before locking in plans.

Expedia

Expedia has teamed with ChatGPT to offer detailed itineraries on its iOS app. For Tokyo, it suggested doing the Japanese tea ceremony at Meiji Shrine, visiting Sensoji which is the oldest temple in Tokyo, shopping the Asakusa markets, stopping at the Tsukiji Fish Market for “some of the freshest sushi in the world” and picnicking at Yoyogi Park.

Kayak

Kayak, with its ChatGPT integration, has released its “Best Time To Travel” tool which recommended October for Tokyo instead of June because airfare is lower, weather is good (around 66°F) and its less crowded.

Snapchat

I double checked the weather with Snapchat’s AI assistant MyAI and it said the best time to go is in the spring for cherry blossom season (late March to early April) and fall for autumn foliage (October to November) when weather is mild. It failed to mention late September for Tokyo Game Show, but did come up with some fun spots to visit like Harajuku Cat Street teeming with unique cafes and boutiques, and popular eateries like Yoyogi Koen Yakitori Alley and CoCo Ichibanya Curry House. It was also the only chatbot to suggest The Capsule Hotel Shinjuki 510 as a unique and affordable lodging experience and Airbnb Long Term Stays, albeit sponsored results.

ChatGPT

The ChatGPT iOS app warned against summer typhoons and suggested visiting the enchanting Odaiba Seaside Park, Palette Town and Rainbow Bridge, shopping in Omotesando and taking in the views from Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree. It also recommended the observatory at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.

Although much-needed features like Map My Trip, Find My Fare and Book My Reservation have yet to be rolled out and the free ChatGPT and Snapchat MyAI tools have yet to be connected to the Internet, chatting with AI companions for trip planning is likely to become a key application for generative AI, and is one of the most fun right now.