An interactive way to ride the Chuo Line?
A tourism concept born during Japan’s lockdown, rebuilt years later using modern tools to explore how video can guide, teach, and immerse.
I spent 4 years sitting on an idea I couldn't afford. Then AI made it possible in 30 minutes.
But lets rewind a bit...
It's 2020, and Japan shuts its borders just as it was preparing to welcome the world for the Olympics.
I had just finished leading an interactive video project for Accenture... building it from concept through execution with some story mapping / Adobe XD boards to share with both client funding it / a full Dev team.
On my commute home, a thought hit me:
What if visitors could learn about navigating Japan before they even arrived?
Not another travel guide. Something different. More interactive and immersive.
Jet Set Radio originally put me onto the streets of Tokyo already back in 2005, what could we do with knowledge in Development and Storytelling?
Best game ever by the way. Another story for later.
Japan was investing heavily in tourism outreach, but there was a blindspot...
Access.
Imagine landing in Tokyo, jet-lagged, unable to read signs, unsure how the train system works. The anxiety alone could ruin someone's trip. And there really was still a gap on execution already.... I mean look at the current climate in 2026.
The Solution: Learn by Doing (Before You Go)
An interactive experience where you could:
Navigate actual train routes
Learn ticketing and etiquette
Explore neighborhoods virtually
Reduce both tourist anxiety AND strain on local staff
An initial mock.
The Constraint: Zero Budget, Zero Team
I explored platforms like H5P and Hihaho which were all premium-priced.
Then I realized: YouTube had end-screen annotations.
Straight to the story map I went, pulling out my GoPro from the back of my closet.
A sample plan of the journey.
So then I grabbed my GoPro, rode the Chuo Line from Kichijoji to Nishiogikubo, and filmed everything. I mapped out a choose-your-own-adventure experience across Tokyo neighborhoods, starting at Shinjuku Station.
It was rough. But it worked. A prototype.
Then YouTube killed annotations.
The project stalled...
The Breakthrough: AI Changed Everything
Fast forward to 2026. AI tools exploded.
In 30 minutes, I had a working prototype of what I'd struggled to build for years. A few more hours of refinement to understand whats possible, and the vision finally felt accessible.
Scary. But man, looking at the idea never felt better.
And it just makes me want to work with developers even more…
Find it here: https://www.carmellovision.com/chuo-interactive
Why This Matters
This wasn't just about building a tourism tool. It taught me:
Strong ideas outlast technical limitations
Constraints breed creativity
The best time to build is when you see a problem others don't
I'm now developing a more robust version with expanded interactions and locations. And can't wait to bring in more developer friends to help with an even more grand idea. If you'd like to help in some way too, I'd love to explore this more.
But to the final point...
If you're sitting on an idea you think you can't afford to build... maybe you already have everything you need.
How are you going to build it?
CarmelloVision is a Tokyo-based design and strategy studio led by Shane Allen, a UX/UI designer and cross-cultural brand strategist with over 10 years of experience working inside Japanese and global teams. Having worked with clients across Japan, the United States, APAC, and the Middle East, CarmelloVision helps companies connect with new audiences through thoughtful UX, localization, and digital storytelling. If you're expanding into new markets or need digital positioning that actually crosses cultures, let's talk.
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