With the recent interest in ChatGPT, I am intrigued as well. Unlike most enthusiasts who ask ChatGPT to ask about what the platform finds about themselves, I would use it for my own urgency, such as to help me list down a travel itinerary to Japan. My first attempt to have a simple travel itinerary with Ghibli theme. However, my travel plan is not going to be all Ghibli, as I would go for Doraemon, Super Mario, Hello Kitty, and other pop culture icons. Here's I use ChatGPT for travel itinerary:
I simply put:
Make a travel itinerary to Japan, personalized for ghibli fans
Here's the result ChatGPT gave me:
Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo
- Check-in at a hotel in Shinjuku or Shibuya, two vibrant and trendy neighborhoods in Tokyo
- Visit the Ghibli Museum in the afternoon, which showcases the work of Studio Ghibli and gives an insight into the creative process of these legendary animators.
Day 2: Explore Tokyo
- Spend the morning at the Tsukiji Fish Market and grab some sushi for breakfast.
- Head to Akihabara, known as the electronic capital of Japan, where you can find Ghibli merchandise and anime figurines.
- Take a stroll through the beautiful Ueno Park and visit the Tokyo National Museum to learn about Japanese history and culture.
Day 3: Travel to Nagoya
- Take a train to Nagoya, known for its castle and unique local cuisine.
- Visit Nagoya Castle and explore the surrounding gardens, and then head to the Toyota Museum of Industry and Technology, where you can learn about the history of cars and manufacturing in Japan.
- In the evening, visit the Noritake Garden and shop for unique porcelain souvenirs.
Day 4: Visit the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka
- Take a train back to Tokyo and visit the Ghibli Museum again, this time to see parts of the museum you missed on the first visit.
- Enjoy lunch in the museum's café, which serves a variety of delicious and creative dishes inspired by Ghibli characters.
Day 5: Day trip to Kamakura
- Take a train to Kamakura, a laid-back seaside town known for its temples and shrines.
- Visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and the Great Buddha of Kamakura, two of the town's most famous landmarks.
- Head to Yuigahama Beach in the afternoon to relax and soak up the sun.
Day 6: Visit Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi
- Take a day trip to Mount Fuji and Lake Ashi, located in Hakone.
- Take a boat ride on Lake Ashi and enjoy the stunning views of Mount Fuji.
- In the afternoon, take the Hakone Ropeway and enjoy the overlooking view of Mt. Fuji.
Day 7: Relax in Tokyo
- Take a break from sightseeing and spend the day exploring Tokyo’s many shopping districts, such as Shinjuku, Shibuya or Harajuku.
- Take a stroll in fluorescent-lit streets and neon-covered buildings of Tokyo to soak up the vibrant and bustling atmosphere of the city.
Day 8: Departure
- Check out of the hotel and head to the airport for departure.
What I Like
is that ChatGPT finds me other sight-seeings that I can enjoy in the middle of suggested spots.
However, the list of things has more of a non-Ghibli theme and not something that Ghibli fans would find interesting and must-visit. Nothing new or unique. Nothing about Ghibli Warehouse or even Ghibli Museum or Ghibli shops in Kyoto.
Also for intercity travel, ChatGPT doesn't give me a detail of which train should I get on---which, for me, is something truly important.
So, I try to improve the prompt.
Make a travel itinerary with detailed transportation between cities that includes Kyoto, Tokyo, Nara Park, Aomori, Osaka, Hitachi Park, Yufuin Floral Village, Hinoyama Koen Park Turkish Tulip Garden, Saitama, Naoshima, Ghibli Warehouse
Here's the result:
Day 1: Kyoto
- Arrival at Kansai International Airport
- Take the Haruka Express train to Kyoto Station
- Check into hotel
- Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- Explore the Gion district
Day 2: Nara Park
- Take the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Nara Station
- Explore Nara Park, including the Todai-ji Temple and deer park
- Return to Kyoto in the evening
Day 3: Tokyo
- Take the Shinkansen from Kyoto Station to Tokyo Station
- Check into hotel
- Visit the Tsukiji Fish Market and surrounding area
- Visit the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Day 4: Hitachi Park
- Take the JR Joban Line from Tokyo Station to Katsuta Station
- Transfer to the Ibaraki Kotsu Bus and take it to Hitachi Seaside Park
- Spend the day exploring the flower gardens and park
- Return to Tokyo in the evening
Day 5: Naoshima
- Take the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Okayama Station
- Transfer to the Uno Line and take it to Uno Station
- Take the ferry to Naoshima Island
- Visit the Benesse House Museum and surrounding art installations
- Return to Okayama and take the Shinkansen back to Tokyo
Day 6: Saitama
- Take the JR Utsunomiya Line from Tokyo Station to Omiya Station
- Visit the Omiya Bonsai Village and Bonsai Art Museum
- Visit the Railway Museum
- Return to Tokyo in the evening
Day 7: Osaka
- Take the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka Station
- Check into hotel
- Visit Universal Studios Japan
- Explore the Dotonbori area at night
Day 8: Yufuin Floral Village
- Take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Hakata Station
- Transfer to the JR Kyushu Limited Express and take it to Yufuin Station
- Spend the day exploring the Yufuin Floral Village
- Return to Osaka in the evening
Day 9: Hinoyama Koen Park Turkish Tulip Garden
- Take the JR Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Hiroshima Station
- Transfer to the JR Kure Line and take it to Higashi-Hiroshima Station
- Take the Chuoh Bus and get off at the Hinoyama Koen-mae stop
- Visit the Turkish Tulip Garden and surrounding park
- Return to Osaka in the evening
Day 10: Ghibli Warehouse
- Take the JR Osaka Loop Line to Shin-Osaka Station
- Take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen to Nagoya Station
- Transfer to the JR Chuo Line and take it to Koganei Station
- Visit the Ghibli Museum and Warehouse
- Return to Osaka in the evening
Day 11: Departure
- Take the Haruka Express train from Shin-Osaka Station to Kansai International Airport for departure.
What I think after the second attempt.
Truth is... that wasn't my second attempt. I tried many times with different prompts, with more places I'd like to explore---which means more items for the ChatGPT to calculate.
But obviously, ChatGPT doesn't calculate which city should be first to land and start. Coz it is definitely hard to land in Kyoto, and not Tokyo, Hokkaido, Osaka, or Fukuoka. It's just not common to land in Kyoto from Jakarta flights. The good thing about my improved prompt is that ChatGPT does include which train I should take this time. Assignment understood.
Well, of course, I haven't tried these suggestions in reality. If you happen to travel to Japan soon, let me know. Or, if you're a Japan travel expert, let me know if this is possible and efficient.
I also welcome suggestions for making better prompts for ChatGPT.
