Japan Trials Drone Service Letting Tourists Film Without Equipment

A new drone-based filming service, SKYPIX, is currently being trialed in Japan’s Kankakei Gorge on Shodoshima Island. The initiative, developed by JTB Corp., fly Inc., and Japan Airlines, allows visitors to record aerial videos without handling equipment. The demonstration run is from March 1 to May 6, 2025 and full implementation in Kankakei, Shodoshima, Kagawa Prefecture is planned to start on August 1. This marks the first time such a fully automated service has been introduced for tourists in Japan.

Filming involves users scanning the onsite QR code and paying with their own smartphones. Next, a drone is automatically launched to fly over the path and record the scenery as well as the person on a preset route. The captured footage is processed by artificial intelligence, which edits and delivers the final video via a downloadable link. The system does not require app installation and offers language support, currently including English, Chinese, and Thai.

For travelers, SKYPIX presents a new method for documenting visits to scenic areas, particularly locations that are difficult to photograph manually. Without needing drones for filming knowledge, visitors can access an aerial perspective of their trip. This methodology makes it easier to create visual memories, which is great for travelers or solo adventurers without access to professional photography services.

Travelers may see potential benefits beyond individual use. By minimizing the need for on-site staff and promoting lesser-known destinations through high-quality video, the system may support local economies and contribute to regional tourism development. On top of that, the implementation of such services will also relieve pressure on tourist sites to serve peak seasons as well.

With technology redefining the travel industry every few steps, services such as SKYPIX are part of a wider automation and user-generated content trend. For tourists, it reflects growing interest in capturing experiences in new ways — offering a perspective once limited to professionals, now accessible with a single tap.