#Japan #Kamakura #PEPPER LIKES #Sasho Restaurant

PEPPER LIKES x Sasho Restaurant

In the heart of Kamakura, the renowned sukiyaki and shabu-shabu restaurant, Sasho, recently achieved remarkable success with the help of a strategic collaboration with PEPPER LIKES. This partnership led to a one-year transformation that skyrocketed Sasho to the top rank on TripAdvisor in an area famous for culinary competition.

The Role of PEPPER LIKES

LIFE PEPPER Co., Ltd., based in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, established PEPPER LIKES as a PR matching platform connecting Japanese companies with overseas influencers. The company recognized the potential of Sasho and devised strategies that highlighted the restaurant’s unique branding while emphasizing a refined sense of Japanese culture.

Challenges Faced

Sasho was positioned eight minutes on foot from Kamakura Station. This distance posed a challenge: while the location was scenic, it needed to be more enticing for passersby. Management identified that the goal was to transform Sasho into a must-visit destination rather than a casual stop.

To achieve this, the target demographic was modified. Initially, Sasho primarily catered to local Japanese customers with cafe lunch offerings at reasonable prices. However, realizing Kamakura's appeal as a tourist destination, Sasho aimed to attract both international visitors and high-end customers, redesigning the dining experience to cater to a more upscale clientele.

Redefining Brand Identity

The next step in the transformation involved a comprehensive redefinition of the restaurant's brand identity. The restaurant environment was cultivated to reflect traditional Japanese aesthetics, allowing guests to enjoy their meals in a beautiful garden setting. Sasho repositioned itself as a dining establishment offering a fully immersive experience of Japanese culture through its unique menu featuring sukiyaki and shabu-shabu.

Implementation Strategies

To attract international attention, Sasho collaborated with foreign influencers boasting over 5,000 followers. Each influencer was invited to enjoy meals valued up to 46,000 yen in exchange for genuine reviews on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and RED. This tactic allowed food lovers worldwide to experience Sasho vicariously.

View Instagram Post Here

Outstanding Results

Within just one year of the brand's revitalization:

• - Sasho earned the title of the top restaurant in Kamakura on TripAdvisor among 1,542 listings.
• - The restaurant gained high visibility on RED, a popular Chinese social media platform, which significantly boosted foot traffic from international tourists.
• - Sasho received a commendable 4.5-star rating on China's largest dining review site, Dazhong Dianping.

These successes encapsulated the effective implementation of influencer marketing combined with innovative branding strategies.

Key Success Factors

Sasho's remarkable success can be attributed to several critical factors:
1. Unique Local Ingredients: Utilizing rare local delicacies, such as the elusive Hayama beef, helped create a dining experience that emphasized quality and authenticity.
2. Data-Driven Approach: Continuous research on viral social media trends informed the design of visually appealing dishes that encouraged sharing online. The dining experience was tailored not just to taste but to be photogenic, enhancing the likelihood of becoming a trending topic.
3. Team Engagement: Ensuring that all staff understood marketing goals and their contributions elevated the level of hospitality provided, fostering a more inviting atmosphere for guests.

Championing Local Assets

PEPPER LIKES aims to unveil the hidden treasures of Japan's local regions, revealing remarkable spots, cultural experiences, and activities that tourists may not typically discover. By leveraging social media effectively, PEPPER LIKES enhances the visibility of these local attractions, attracting potential visitors.

As an invaluable aspect of promoting regional resources, PEPPER LIKES invites international influencers to share their insights, creating deeper connections between travelers and Japan's hidden gems.

Conclusion

The collaboration between Sasho Restaurant and PEPPER LIKES illustrates the powerful impact of influencer marketing on local businesses. By embracing innovative strategies, Sasho transformed into a global culinary destination, inspiring others to follow suit in their unique ways.

For more information about Sasho Restaurant, visit: Sasho Official Site

For inquiries about PEPPER LIKES, please contact LIFE PEPPER Co., Ltd. at 03-6869-7976 or via email at [email protected].