Tour Guide with Augmented Reality
Anton Nilupul Sadesh Warnakulasooriya, and Keiji Emi（The Kyoto College of Graduate Studies for Informatics）

Abstract
Kyoto city in Japan has a large number of historic temples and shrines, so the number of tourists
is increasing. In particular, the number of tourists from overseas is increasing. However, due toconsideration that many landmark buildings are not damaged and the landscape surrounded by themountains is not damaged, it is strictly restricted by the ordinance of Kyoto City to post a signboard
outdoors. Therefore, it is not easy to add a signboard for tourist information.
Therefore, we developed a tour guide using augmented reality (AR). Along with the guidance forthe first visitor on easy navigation throughout the digital map, it was possible to expand theopportunity to actually expand the user's augmented reality experience while improving the level ofentertainment.
In this paper we discussed the development thought of the system we developed and theimplementation result.

■ 1．Introduction

disasters should follow and introduce them with

1-1

"Augmented Reality Tour Guide" has the mainsome rules that must be followed. Basically, our"Augmented Reality Tour Guide"

Kyoto city is a major Japanese city known asfunction of easy navigation throughout the digital

the ninth largest city in Japan and has a population

map, enhancing the visitor's experience in theof approximately 1.4 million people. Although it istemple of historical artifacts. We aim to provide ansuch a large city, Kyoto city has many historic

attractive educational environment to cope withbuildings and has a landscape surrounded by

the increased reality.

mountainous areas, so the number of visitors from

This paper is a detailed report which will enhance

foreign countries is increasing. However, in orderwhat the problem that was addressed with thisto not destroy the beautiful landscape, it is strictly

application and how the project was initiated andrestricted by the ordinance of Kyoto City to post adocumented and how the challenges were met.

signboard outdoors. In this way, it is not easy toAlso, the key concern had been put upon the phaseadd a signboard for tourist information.

of feasibility study and requirement gathering in

So we developed a tour guide using Augmented

order to conduct them and show the results gained

Reality (AR) [3]. Along with the guidance for theas a proof of project selected is a real-time project.

first visitor on simple navigation throughout the

Furthermore, the design overview will include ofdigital map, it also allowed us to broaden the

WBS, Gantt chart whereas resource allocation andopportunity

user'sa possible milestone plan so that work will beaugmented reality experience while improving

prepared accordingly. Appropriate designs of UML

the level of entertainment. It can also be applied

diagrams and specific system designs will beespecially to different industries [4] - [7].

prepared and included throughout this report totoactually

extendtheAlso regarding safety hints, follow sudden

100

NAIS Journal

give a diagrammatic view of the flow of this project.

Moreover, further enhancements will also be
discussed thoroughly in which that can beaddressed moving forward to get the maximum
benefit out of it to the target audience. Finally, we
have created a prototype of application software asa graduate master's course project of Antonthroughout and at the end of the project to be
successful. Following discussed is the project scope
where the specific project goals in order to be met
had been identified and discussed thoroughly.
As the selected project of Tour guide with
Augmented Reality application involves of an

Nilupul Sadesh Warnakulasooriya,.

advance concept, its project scope includes of core

1-2

this project successful. When looking at the project

Problem Statement

With the increase in travelling of individuals,
the tourism industry has become more competitive.
With that advantage people attempt in various
methods targeting the tourists that travel within
their countries for example travel guides, different
applications that gives information regarding thedestinations, yet the users aren’t fully satisfied asthey aren’t accurate enough and such applications
are just information based ones in which the users
aren’t interested in gathering the destinations.
Kyoto, Japan has become one of the mostly
visited city by foreigners, yet the languages
currently used by the people living in the city as
well as the tour guides are poor as they are only
capable of Japanese language while the tourism
language, English is rarely used where theforeigners to come to Kyoto to visit temples face isquite difficult in dealing with it. Even the roadsigns and destination boards happen to be fromJapanese where it’s quite confusing to theforeigners.
Therefore, in order to address the abovementioned problem within the tourism industry,developing of an AR mobile applications for thefield of tourism, aiming to release AR’s fullpotential within the field will be the main purposeof proposing this project to address the implications

areas to be met in order to successfully achieve
scope of the application the main scope involves
the Point of Interests (POI) that nearby the user’s
GPS location in order to display the AR tags in the
Camera view. Based on the given categorizationsof tourists most searched tags in Google Maps. In
order to give the information of the user’s selected
AR tag, that feature has to get the place information
thorough out from the Google Maps API service inorder to preview the location’s current address
and more information.
Other than the core part of the project the rest
involves of providing the basic functionality of anormaltouristinformation

applicationasproviding a map of the current location and tourist
information which would be help to know about
Kyoto City.
1-4

SWOT Analysis

Basically, a SWOT analysis is conducted withthe sole intention of identifying what the market
position is there for the relevant project you do.
When undertaking a project in order to be
successful and meet the project goals successfully
it is mostly guided that as the best option it isbetter to follow the project management tools andtechniques when making of decisions as whereappropriate. Therefore, SWOT analysis is one ofaddressed above

the analysis which is being conducted in project

1-3

concerns about strengths, weaknesses as well as

Project Scope

A project should have a proper project scope atthe beginning of the project initiation in order toproceed without any issue. Project scope is a partof the project planning within involves ofdetermining and listing out the specific project

management. It can be identified as a tool which
opportunities and threats of this project idea.
Following is the SWOT analysis which was
conducted

for

identifying

theStrengths,

Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats of the
proposed AR Tour Guide (See Figure 1).

goals and deadlines that have to be achieved

NAIS Journal101

natural human computer interaction, beforehandof the project it is a key point that user requirements
have to be identified clearly in order to meet all theuser requirements successfully make this android
app a success. Therefore following are the set ofmajor user requirements that was identified
Figure 1. SWOT Analysis■

beforehand in order to make correct decisions
related to application functionalities and thesuccess of this Tour guide with Augmented Reality

2．Background of the Study

2-1

What if tourists could easily get guidancefrom the tourist infromation center?

android application.
2-2-1

Accuracy

As in general the common requirement which

Providing augmented reality tour guide from athe user expect from system projects is thetourist informationcenter will be very meaningful.

accuracy which they mostly expect as in order toEssentially, this AR application needs to consider

work successfully accuracy is the key aspect which

the specific needs tourists and the tourist

mainly depends upon. As this app will deal with

infomation center. Within the aim of analyzing theuser expressions they would highly request in

design proses it includes four steps which is thegetting accurate feedback from the application

design of mental model, the laying out of the use

which is why accuracy can be listed as a key usercase and class diagram which can be seen in therequirement.

later chapters. During the design process, the firststep is to represent the current situation that

2-2-2

User Frieandnes

depicts both type of users. Ex: The tourist and theNot only the accuracy is being required when it

system (mobile application) provider, who in thiscomes to an android application as of all mostly

case can be a new city or a heritage site etc.

the user friendliness is being highly considered.

following figure presents an illustration of bothAs this Tour guide with Augmented Reality will besides needs and their relationships (see Fihure 2).

an android application with a combination of anormal tour guide app functionalities more theuser friendliness in the application more numberof users will be attracted to this application as
they highly expect of user friendliness in android
apps.
2-2-3

Higher Interactivity

As well as the higher the interactivity with theuser more the satisfaction will be gained.
Nowadays interactivity is also being checked byusers when applications or systems are being
implemented. As this is an android application
Figure 2. Our concept of AR

2-2

User Requirements

As this system involves with an important role in

102

NAIS Journal

unlike desktop applications higher interactivity is
being expected by the users.
2-3

Explanation of our System

As it was clearly specified in the problem

statement that Kyoto, Japan has become one oftechniques of gathering data related to the project

the mostly visited city by foreigners, yet theso that before starting of project planning canlanguages in use by the people living in the city as

have a clear idea of how the data can be amended

well as the tour guides are poor as they are onlywith this project and have a clear picture of how

capable of Japanese language while the tourism

are the exact users of this system and what arelanguage, English is rarely used where thetheir thoughts related to this project idea.

foreigners to come to Kyoto to visit temples face isquite difficult in dealing with it.

2-5

Requirement Gathering

Therefore, with the main intention of addressing

Requirement gathering is the core main section

the following issue mentioned in the problem

where data related to the project is being gatheredstatement, an AR Tour Guide has been proposed.

using the help of various requirement gathering

The ultimate goal of the proposed system is totechniques

expand the chances of expanding the augmented

maintaining of a successful requirement gathering

reality experience for the users for real and at theit is quite challenging to continue effectively withsame time to give the users to experience in thethe particular project. Therefore under this section

virtual world with all the guidance they need inof requirement gathering mainly will focus onterms to travelling around the city. The proposed

what are the fact gathering techniques that had

AR Tour Guide includes of the following features

been applied in order to collect the data related toin order to enhance the experience in the virtual

this project and what was the final results of theworld.

collected feedbacks at the end.

andmethodologies.

Without□Easy Navigation throughout a digital map□Increasing visitor’s experience in temples ofhistorical artifacts

2-5-1

Requirements Determination

The best ideal method in order to gather relevant□Making the planning journey much moreinteractive and simple

data is to analyze the data once after therequirement gathering is undertaken. Once after□Guidance with regards to safety and regulations
so they are guided from start to end

the requirement gathering is being undertaken
successfully here is the section where the major□Providing a compelling educational environment

else core requirements that had to be met with theon how to deal with augmented reality

system has to be identified clearly and theMoving forward, the report will have a detailed

secondary requirements that are involved withbreakdown of how the challenges will be addressed

this Tour Guide AR app other than to the corein the process of achieving the project proposed torequirements. Therefore following are the core

succeed.

requirements and secondary requirements whichwere analyzed from the data gathering by

2-4

undertaking requirement gathering techniques.

Feasibility Study

This phase of feasibility study and requirement
gathering is one of the core important study which

2-5-2Core Requirements

comes under the initiation phase of the projectCore requirements are the major areas which

cycle. Therefore this is done beforehand of thehas to be considered when implementing of the

project mainly in order to check whether thiscore part of this project which involves of the

project is feasible enough to engage with on all theviewing the AR tag’s from the Google API JSON

aspects of cost, time as well as scope and technical.

part. Therefore following are the identified core

Along with the feasibility study under this section

requirements

requirement gathering is being undertaken whererequirement gathering was undertaken.

possiblemethodologies

are

being

used

as

that

was

gathered

after

the

What are the categories in which people

NAIS Journal103

(foreigners) would search in the Google maps?

in devices running low version of android ( ice(Ex. Restaurant, Bar, Parks, Shrine, Temples)cream sandwich) or higher. The development will

In order to detect the location and display thebe done using:

POI accurately major areas which will consider□Android Studiothe from the getting right data from the Google□Eclipse (ADT Plugin, CDT plugin, Sonar cube

API JSON service

Plugin)□Wikitude SDK

2-5-3

Secondary Requirements

However secondary requirements are the areas□Adobe Photoshop□Adobe Illustrator

which has to be considered along with the core

□GIMP Toolpart of this project in order to succeed as a whole.

□JuntInMind Prototyper

Therefore following are the identified secondary□Android SDK Managers

requirements other than the major requirements□Microsoft Office Package(Including Visio andin which the system should be functioned with.
Design the tour guide app with normal guideapplication features (Ex. Navigation system,
Kyoto useful information’s for Foreigners Etc.)
Train the data set to maintain the highest
accuracy of the results which is being generated.
Who are the users who be involved once this app
is being implemented

Project)■ 3．Design
3-1

Design Overview

Design overview will be focused on a documented
analysis

discussingofadetailed

designmethodologies which has to be applied in order todetermine its capabilities and adequacy to meet

2-5-4

Resource Identification

Resource identification process allows therole when developing of a project where correct

developers to have a better understanding of theand effective design patterns and necessary

current resources they process and the resources

methodologies have to be applied in order to meetthat will be required for the development process.

the project scope. Therefore due to the complexity

The development process consist of both hardwareof the systems which requires of plenty of coding

and software requirements in which both areas

the design technique which will be used is theneeded to be covered in order to have a successful

object oriented designing technique so that withindevelopment.

the implementation stage it would reduce the

Hardwarelines of code written by approximately 4 times□CPU - Dual Core 1.5GHz or higher

compared to the functional designing method□GPU – Mail 800 or higher

which would also help in way to speed up and□Memory (RAM) – 1GB or higher

efficiency of the coding standards and the system.

□Storage Space – 40MB

Another area which has to be concerned and□Camera(Front) – 5 Megapixel or higher

select before implementation is the software□Camera (Rear) – 8 Megapixel or higher

architecture that has to be used. Software□GPS Required

architecture mainly focuses on how the system□Gyroscope Required

coding should be structured in order to be more

Software104

its requirements. Designing phase plays a major

efficient. The software architecture that will be

To create the system there are a couple of coreused within this project is the MVC architecture

software programs in the development process,where it will be categorization into major three

starting with the operating system due to theparts of Database layer, business player andcompatibility it is required to do the development

presentation layer, so by diving the logic, user

NAIS Journalinterfaces

and

the

database

related

codes

3-2-2

UML Class Diagram

separately will maintain higher efficiency and

UML class diagram refers to diagrammatic view

convenience in the coding. Therefore when anof the structure on how the system coding should

object oriented method is applied necessary

be organized into set of classes which will map todesigning of diagrams have to be prepared as it

the object oriented language which had been

gives out clear view of the project system plan in aapplied to this system code. Therefore using thisview of a diagram beforehand will help in making

diagram it will show what are classes which will

proper designs after it and the diagrams which

included within the system coding and on how thewill be prepared under the designing phasemethods are had been categorization under each

includes of UML use case diagram, UML classclass so by structuring them beforehand would

diagram and UML sequence diagram [8], [9].

help in implementing of the system in a muchorganized[9]. Therefore the opportunities that can

3-2

Design of the System

be gained by preparing of this UML diagram class

3-2-1

Use Case Diagramis that it would be help in organizing the system

Use case diagram refer to diagrammatic view ofcode into several classes under name package andshowing out what the actions that external actors

assign particular methods under each appropriate

and internal actors (users involve with the system)

class. Moreover by creating this UML class

who take part in performing the system. The

diagram beforehand would help in describing

opportunities that can be gained by designing ofwhat the functionalities that has to be performed

this use case diagram is that it will help inby the system.

identifying who the users of the system which is
being implemented.

3-2-3

Sequence Diagram

Anotherdiagrammatic

schemewhichisimportant in UML designing. It also represents amajor part of the system coding. Sequence Diagram(Figure 4) represents an object collaboration andis used to define event sequences between objects
for a certain outcome[10]. Using UML sequence
diagrams, it represents the flow of messages aswell as events and actions between objects of thesystem. Therefore the opportunities that can begained by creating the sequence diagram is that it
will help in identifying the architecture as well as
the interface and logical problems beforehand.
The Figure 4 is “the Search a place” sequence
Figure 3. Usecase Diagram

diagram where the user involved with this activity
is the looking for a park in the AR Camera Display.

Furthermore, by preparing this use case it willAs this shows the process of user clicks the park

help in identifying the goals associated with eachicon in the search activity, once go back to display

actor involved with the system as well.

camera display and shows the all nearby places

Following provided is the user case diagram

near to the current users’ GPS location in AR tags,

that was prepared based upon the requirements

In the each of AR tags it displays the distance backand system functionalities that will be included

from the place to the user’s location.

within the AR Tour Guide.

NAIS Journal105

Figure 4. Sequence Diagram.

■ 4. User Interface of the Application
Welcome Splash Interface

The Figure 5 is a screenshot of the “First
Welcome Splash Screen of the Tour guide with
Augmented Reality”. In this interface, a user getsa nice view of Kyoto city and attraction with thebright, colorful imaginary view of the applicationfrom firsthand.

Once the user clicks the next

button it the second welcome splash screen willappear.

Figure 6. Home Page Interface

Categorization Interface
The Figure 7 shows us the Categorization
Interface of the application, circle is the context
categorization within the selected ALL ICONS
and had been clicked then and going back tocamera view will be displayed all the all the AR
tags nearby the user’s current location based on
the Google API JSON.

Each circle represents

keyword, from the left top to right, Café.
Restaurant, Temple, Park, Shrines, Art Gallery,
Movie Theater, Lodging, Supermarket, ATM,
Pharmacy and Bus Transits.

Figure 5. Welcome Splash Interface

Home Menu Interface
The Figure 6 shows us the home menu of theapplication. In the first button icon which the AR
guide and will be the main core part of this project.
Map, places and City info are the additionalfeature which was designed in order to cover thebasic tour guide application features.

106

NAIS Journal

shows the information of place details andcustomer review (as feedback) of the selected
place.

Figure 7. Categorization Interface

Camera View Interface

Figure 8. Camera View Interface with AR

The Figure 8 show us the “Main Camera View”
from the home menu interface, which wasdisplayed once after the “AR Camera” button top
left corner was clicked which will display theaugmented reality screen interface of the tour

■ 5．Critical Evaluation and Conclusion
5-1

Evaluation of the Solution

guide application which the main core part of the

When going through the report in detail it’sapplication. Each AR tag represents a different

quite clear that the mentioned requirements andicon and the distance from the place to the user’s

scope

current location.

requirements stated in the proposal was met it is

have

been

met

successfully. As

thequite clear that the implemented AR Tour Guide
Place Information Interface

was a success with fulfilling the functionalities of

We can get a place information interface once

interacting the user behavior in a virtual

the user clicks the AR tag of the current user’s

environment while giving away the entertainment

location and one of is selected, all the informationand information when require from a tour guide.

will appear in new display place information

The

challenges

of

the

proposed

mobileinterface. In this interface will include place of

application were the ability to get users exact

name, address, contact number, ratings from thelocation from the specified favorites from thevisited user’s as well as previous user’s feedback

Google Maps API, current location, map andcomment.

distance between user’s location and the selected

Above sequence diagram where the user getsplace distance. Pointing out from the research

the information about place details when looking

many applications has been developed, but somefor a place in the AR Camera Display. As thisof the tourist information is mainly guided

NAIS Journal107

throughout newspapers, magazines, guide books

teams which operate with the less risk of failure

and web sites, these methods do not provide theas well as increased efficiency and more aware ofexact information while users on the move.

their related surroundings. Following discussed

When

terms

of

evaluating

at

the

core

are the areas highly addressed under lessons

functionalities which the system has, the ultimate

learnt report based on this AR Tour Guide.

goal of the proposed system was to expand the★Out of all the main reason why this project

chances of expanding the augmented reality

helped me out with is that by undertaking thisexperience for the users for real and at the same

project all alone which involves of a huge concept

time to give the users to experience in the virtualwhich has to be undertaken by a team ofworld with all the guidance they need in terms tomembers, I was able to experience the ups andtravelling around the city.

downs I came up throughout the project andOnce after the AR Tour guide was implemented

how was able to complete all the tasks by finish

the necessary user testings [11] were undertaken

off the project activities within the projectin order to maintain the visibility of errors within

deadline. Therefore, on one side I was able tothe system and to submit an error free application

learn valuable lessons on how exactly the projectto the music users.

should be handled properly in order to succeed

Concluding the evaluation of the project it’s
clear that the project objectives were met as

no matter what number of members are engaged
with the project activities.

planned with the availability of limited resources★Unlike other projects that I had undertaken

and skills, yet attempted it to introduce thethroughout my academic carrier this projectAugmented reality experience to the users who

was guided to be a real-time project I had toengage in tourism and who specifically visit Kyoto

interview various people related to the projectto historical temple visits and city rides withand even to undertake surveys and collect theirgiving them the best city tour guide exposure in

feedbacks, which in way gave me the opportunity

an innovative new technology applied manner.

of engaging in real time projects beforehand ofentering into my job carrier which would be

5-2

beneficial.

Discussions

When undertaking of IT related projects, the★Virtual reality and augmented reality is quite

lessons learnt report is one of the mainly considered

new to my IT carrier throughout the academic

topic which is being done at the latter part of thelife of mine, where I was able to gather a lot ofproject documentation in terms of specifying what

information and skills on how augmented

arereality projects are based on.

the

areas

newly

gatheredandlearntthroughout the project initiation to close-off.

★Applying the Augmented reality with android

Basically, within this lesson learned report it

was even more challenging and I was able todiscusses about what are the gained experiences

gather and research more into this, which gaveand knowledge throughout this project timeme the opportunity to study more onto new

period.

areas related to the areas concerned.

Moreover the reason why the lesson learned

Therefore, when looking at the above discussed

report is important is that it is a matter ofpoints under the lesson learned report that by

improving the productivity and the efficiency ofdeveloping the AR Tour Guide it helped in many

the process. Individually by engaging in theseways to gathering the knowledge I lacked in andtypes of projects and getting have the ability ofeven the experience of dealing with real time

gaining valuable experience will long term vise be

projects.

more beneficial. Not only that but this lesson
learned report would also help in producing project

108

NAIS Journal

■

6．Conclusion
Kyoto city has a historical building, and has abeautiful landscape surrounded by mountains. To
prevent this beautiful landscape from being
impaired, placing signboards outdoors is severely
restricted by the ordinance. Despite the fact that
tourists from foreign countries are increasing, it is
not easy to add signs for sightseeing information.
Therefore, we have developed "Augmented
Reality Tour Guide" is at the same time as theguidance for the first time visitors about the easy[8] Miles, R., & Hamilton, K.. “Learning UML 2. 0”, Cambridge: O'Reilly. (2006)[9] UML - Class Diagram.
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/uml/uml_class_diagram.htm
Retrieved 8 September 2017[10] What is a Sequence Diagram? - Definition from Techopedia. Techopedia.com. https://www.techopedia.com/
definition/27490/sequence-diagram-uml
Retrieved 18 July 2017.
[11] What Is Load Testing? Smartbear.com. https://smartbear.com/learn/performance-testing/what-is-load-testing/
Retrieved 20 July 2017.

navigation of the entire digital map, while
improving the level of entertainment, actually
expanding the user's augmented reality experience
It has made it possible to expand the opportunity
to do.
It has made it possible to widen the opportunity
to actually expand the user's augmented reality
experience. In particular, it was also possible toapply it to different industries. It also made it
possible to give safety guidance in case of a sudden
disaster.
【REFERENCES】[1] Martin, J., & Martin, P.. “K Kyoto: A Cultural Guide to
Japan's Ancient Imperial City”, Tuttle Pub. (2010)[2] Chris Rowthorn , Ray Bartlett, Andrew Bender , Laura Crawford, “Discover Japan 3 (Lonely Planet)”,Lonely Planet. (2015)[3] Froza, R. , “Augmented Reality For Beginners!: Principles & Practices for Augmented Reality & VirtualComputers (English Edition) “, Roger Froze. (2016).
[4] Worldpopulationreview.com., http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/japan-population/cities/, Retrieved
03 June 2017[5] Yelp Review | Trusted Reviews. .Trusted Reviews.
http://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/yelpRetrieved 5 July 2017.
[6] Author, A. Augmented Reality Tokyo by Presselite. AppAdvice. https://appadvice.com/app/augmented-reality-tokyo/331370416
Retrieved 8 July 2017.
[7] AR in Ecommerce: 3 Ways Augmented Reality is Benefitting Retailers and Shoppers - Augment News. http://
www.augment.com/blog/ar-ecommerce-3-ways-augmented-reality-benefitting-retailers-shoppers/
Augment News. Retrieved 11 July 2017.

◆著者紹介

アントン・二ルプル・サデシュ・ワルナクラスーリヤ

Anton Nilupul Sadesh Warnakulasooriya

京都情報大学院大学在学中
スリランカ INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE OF BUSINESSAND TECHNOLOGY 卒業

江見圭司

Keiji Emi

京都情報大学院大学准教授。
京都大学大学院人間・環境学研究科第一専攻修了，
京都大学博士（人間・環境学） 専門分野はオブジェクト指向，教育工学。
金沢工業大学専任講師を経て現職
ET ロボコン関西地区実行委員長

NAIS Journal

109