Case Study: Hana Izumi × Omakase.ai

Client Background

Hana Izumi — meaning “Flower and Spring Fountain” — is a family-owned Japanese Kaiseki restaurant founded by Chef Koji Murakami. The name symbolizes the harmony of natural elements, reflecting the restaurant’s focus on seasonal beauty and balance.

Kaiseki is a traditional Japanese multi-course dining experience that tells a story through seasonal themes and locally sourced ingredients — delivering an “Ichigo Ichie” (one-time, one-meeting) moment.

Rooted in Omotenashi, the Japanese spirit of hospitality, each meal is crafted with deep care, mindfulness, and attention to detail to ensure guests feel truly welcomed and valued.

Challenge / Problem

As a family-owned business, Hana Izumi faced the challenge of operating with limited resources while striving to deliver the highest level of Omotenashi — the deeply rooted Japanese philosophy of thoughtful, heartfelt hospitality.

While guests experienced this care during their visit, the team wanted to extend that same feeling from the very first moment — starting on their website. They envisioned an elevated experience before and after the meal, one that reflected their in-person service online.

With a lean team, Hana Izumi looked to AI not only to enhance the digital expression of Omotenashi, but also to increase reservation conversions by offering warm, intelligent assistance through an AI agent that could embody their values.

Solution

By implementing Omakase.ai Voice, Hana Izumi introduced Hana-chan, their custom AI agent designed to embody the spirit of Omotenashi online. Hana-chan warmly guides visitors through the Kaiseki menu, answers dietary questions with care, and smoothly assists in making reservations — all while preserving the thoughtful hospitality that defines the in-person experience.

As a result, guests now arrive with a deeper understanding of Kaiseki, allowing them to appreciate each course more fully. This enhanced pre-visit engagement complements the in-person hospitality led by the Okami, creating a seamless and elevated dining journey from website to table.

Results / Impact

• Over 4.5 hours of staff time saved in the first month
• More than 130 inquiries answered related to reservations, dietary needs, and the Kaiseki experience
• A 15% increase in bookings within one month

Takeaways / Why It Matters

Omakase.ai Voice provided Hana Izumi a seamless way to enhance both hospitality and operational efficiency. It boosted reservations and guest engagement through an authentic, AI-powered experience.

With minimal training and easy implementation, the platform also delivered valuable insights into customer behavior and preferences. For Hana Izumi, this is a successful example of how thoughtfully designed AI can extend Omotenashi beyond the dining room — and inspire further digital innovation.