#Japan #Sapporo #Shiki #ICHI #RAMEN ICHI

ICHI Ramen Brand Forms Strategic Partnership with Shiki

In a significant development for the ramen industry, shiki, a design firm specialized in the food sector, has teamed up with ICHI, a booming ramen brand based in Sapporo, Japan. In just three years, ICHI has opened six locations and garnered popularity among young adults primarily due to its unique offerings, including innovative niboshi ramen and late-night operations. This partnership aims to bolster ICHI's brand strategy, store design, and communication plans to further elevate the customer experience.

Founded by Daichi Mori, ICHI started during his university years and has rapidly evolved into a notable ramen company. Both partners met in 2023 through a young entrepreneur training program known as MAKERS UNIVERSITY, where they discovered a shared passion for ramen and its cultural significance. This bond laid the foundation for their collaboration, as Mori and Masato Goda, shiki's CEO, engaged in mutual restaurant visits, brainstorming sessions about brand strategy, and an exploration of innovative signage and promotional photography techniques.

As ICHI continues to expand, the need for a cohesive brand identity and consistent customer experience has become apparent. Shiki’s involvement is not merely as a production company, but as a partner to strategically manage brand development across several domains. Their support encompasses everything from designing the interior and exterior of stores to directing visual and social media communications, ensuring the brand communicates consistently across all platforms.

Background and Objectives of the Partnership

Shiki's Vision

Under Goda’s leadership, shiki aims to redefine how food brands operate by integrating design with strategic growth. With ICHI already possessing a strong fan base and product appeal, shiki’s role will include overseeing creative direction for the brand, social media management, and general communications. The goal is to transition ramen dining from being merely about food to an enriching cultural experience that resonates deeply with customers.

Goda states, “We’re not just about design; we’re about shaping the growth trajectory of food brands. ICHI has the power to spark enthusiasm among consumers, and it’s our aim to amplify that through every store, event, and communication channel.”

ICHI's Strategy Moving Forward

Mori emphasizes the importance of quality and trust in establishing ICHI's reputation. He believes their commitment to affecting social change through ramen positions the brand uniquely in the culinary landscape. He said, “With this partnership, we will enhance the quality across all aspects of our brand, aiming to accelerate our growth while embodying our vision of making a difference with each bowl of ramen.”

Partnership Insights and Future Plans

Shiki's comprehensive support spans several areas, including:

• - Development of brand strategies
• - Establishment of brand guidelines
• - Design of store interiors and exteriors
• - Development of customer experience strategies
• - Management of social media communications
• - Direction of photography and video content
• - Planning of special events and pop-up experiences
• - Creative oversight for new store openings

As ICHI embarks on an ambitious journey to expand its footprint beyond Hokkaido, the formal partnership with shiki is poised to significantly influence its trajectory. The synergy between ICHI's energetic operational presence and shiki's creative expertise will drive improvements and innovations, further cementing ICHI's status as a leading brand in Japan's ramen industry.

Upcoming Events

In line with this partnership, ICHI is set to hold a POP UP event in Tokyo on June 24, 2026. This event will allow customers in the Tokyo area to experience the essence of ICHI firsthand. The event will take place at C'est ouf in Shibuya, offering a taste of ICHI’s exquisite ramen.

For the latest updates on ICHI’s initiatives and the upcoming pop-up event, check out their official Instagram page: @ramen_ichi_tokyo.

Conclusion

The collaboration between ICHI and shiki marks a promising evolution in the ramen business. Through innovative design and strategic partnership, both companies are set to influence Japan's food culture significantly, enhancing customer experiences and expanding their reach throughout the country.