#Japan #Tokyo #I Search Marketing #Instagram Strategy #Tourist Restaurants

Innovative Strategies for Attracting Tourists to Local Restaurants by I Search Marketing Japan

In recent years, restaurants located in tourist areas have faced significant challenges related to seasonal dependency and the difficulty in attracting repeat visitors. Traditionally, these establishments relied heavily on travel magazines and tourism websites to attract customers. However, a noticeable shift has been seen with travelers increasingly turning to Instagram to search for places to eat based on current preferences, such as looking for hashtags like ‘#KyotoCafe’ or ‘#OkinawaGourmet’. With this trend, it has become crucial for tourist area restaurants to optimize their visibility on Instagram, as highlighted by I Search Marketing Japan Inc. (I Search), located in Shinjuku, Tokyo, under the leadership of CEO Kim Seong-cheol.

1. Challenges Faced by Tourist Restaurants

Tourist restaurants typically deal with severe fluctuations in revenue due to their dependency on peak tourist seasons and the difficulty of retaining repeat customers. Especially for international visitors, many now prefer Instagram over Google for finding dining establishments. This makes appearing at the top of Instagram search outcomes vital for the survival of these eateries.

2. Success Stories

Matcha Dessert Shop in Gion, Kyoto

A specialty matcha dessert shop in Gion optimized for hashtags like ‘#KyotoCafe’ and ‘#GionSweets’. By sharing attractive reel videos showcasing matcha parfaits and traditional sweets, they successfully grew their followers from 5,000 to 15,000 within three months. Consequently, reservations surged, leading to an average wait time of 40 minutes on busy weekends.

Seafood Izakaya on Kokusai Street, Okinawa

A seafood izakaya located on Kokusai Street in Naha utilized hashtags such as ‘#OkinawaGourmet’ and ‘#NahaDinner’. By incorporating English and Korean subtitles in their reel videos aimed at tourists, they saw a 180% increase in visits from inbound customers compared to the previous year. They also strengthened collaborations with reservation sites, refining pathways to increase customer visits.

3. Key Points for Success on Instagram Search

• - Utilizing Location Tags: Directly reach travelers searching around tourist spots.
• - Hashtag Strategy Focusing on Location and Cuisine: Using specific hashtags like ‘#HakoneLunch’ or ‘#SapporoRamen’ for localized visibility.
• - Multilingual Content: Posting with English and Korean subtitles to attract international visitors.
• - Seasonally RelevantContent: Designing posts around seasonal events such as cherry blossoms, autumn foliage, or summer festivals to amplify visibility.

4. Insight from I Search Marketing Japan

Kim Seong-cheol emphasizes the importance of appearing prominently in Instagram searches, stating, “Tourist restaurants often rely on ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ customers; missing a chance to attract them can lead to losing them forever. Hence, reaching a higher ranking through optimized hashtag and location tag strategies is crucial. It is a low-cost, effective way to draw in customers quickly.”

I Search Marketing Japan plans to continue strengthening its support for tourist area restaurants through search optimization and increased visibility in recommendation tabs online, also focusing on strategies to enhance inbound tourism through effective social media marketing.

Company Overview

• - Company Name: I Search Marketing Japan Inc.
• - Location: 3-9-7 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Frontier Shinjuku Tower Office, Room 315
• - CEO: Kim Seong-cheol (金成哲)
• - Established: October 2024
• - Business Activities: Instagram advertising operations, SNS marketing support, AI marketing system development
• - Official Website: I Search Marketing Japan
• - Phone Number: 03-6736-4754
• - LINE ID: @isearch

Through innovative strategies tailored to the Instagram-focused approaches of today’s travelers, I Search Marketing Japan is paving the way for tourist restaurants to adapt and thrive in a competitive environment.