#Japan #Tokyo #Sake #byFood #Kobu Group

byFood and Kobu Group: A Partnership for Exceptional Sake Experiences

In an innovative move to enhance Japan’s cultural offerings for inbound tourists, byFood, a leading gourmet platform tailored for foreign visitors, has announced its collaboration with Kobu Group, a prominent player in the liquor wholesale industry. This partnership aims to launch unique sake experiences that share the rich heritage of Japan's sake brewing culture.

Context of the Initiative

Recent forecasts estimate that the number of visitors to Japan will peak in 2024, reaching nearly 36.9 million, a staggering 47.1% increase from the previous year. Travelers are increasingly seeking high-quality, unique experiences rather than merely sightseeing. Particularly for affluent tourists, there has been a growing interest in traditional culture and unique experiences such as sake tasting, which has steadily evolved in popularity.

While the consumption of sake within Japan has been on the decline, it has gained newfound recognition abroad, especially after traditional sake brewing was designated as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. Visiting tourists have a tremendous opportunity to engage with sake—not just to taste, but to understand and appreciate its cultural significance.

The Overview of the New Initiative

With the shared goal of promoting cultural understanding through sake, byFood has embraced the Kobu Group Open Innovation Program 2024. This initiative provides a platform for generating ideas that will pave the way for developing and delivering comprehensive sake experience content. Together with Kobu Group, byFood is set to establish unique sake-related events that reflect the diverse history, culture, and environment of Japan's sake-producing regions.

Key Components of the Partnership

1. Market Research: byFood will harness its extensive user network to conduct surveys aimed at identifying the specific types of sake experiences that foreign visitors desire, including the preferred pricing and areas of interest.

2. Creation of High-Value Experiences: Through collaboration with sake breweries nationwide, Kobu Group will craft tailored sake programs that encapsulate the essence of each locality.

3. Multilingual Promotion Strategies: ByFood plans to promote these experiences not just through its website, but also by leveraging its YouTube channel, which boasts over 200,000 subscribers, and extensive social media reach, with monthly impressions exceeding 10 million. This broad media presence aims to connect with potential customers globally.

Future Plans

As the program rolls out, the goal is to expand the areas offering these sake experiences, elevating the encounters that foreign visitors have with Japan’s sake culture. Additionally, by encouraging participants to share their experiences on social media, the initiative aims to foster a sustainable promotional model that bridges local regions with international audiences. This endeavor not only aims to cement the legacy of sake culture but also contributes to its ongoing global recognition.

About byFood

byFood is a distinguished platform dedicated to showcasing and reserving authentic Japanese culinary experiences for inbound tourists. It operates as a comprehensive service—offering food culture media in English before travelers arrive, enabling reservations for dining experiences during their visit, and facilitating cross-border e-commerce for Japanese food purchases afterward. Furthermore, through its Food for Happiness program, byFood pledges that for every reservation made, 10 meals will be provided to children in developing countries, reflecting its commitment to social contribution through culinary experiences. As a mission-driven organization, byFood continually strives to connect Japan with the world through food, promoting regional allure and sustainable tourism practices.

For more information, visit byFood's website or check out their YouTube channel.

Company Overview

Company Name: Tablecross Inc.
CEO: Kaori Joho
COO: Tosho Selkan
Location: 5-27-5 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
For any inquiries regarding listings on byFood, please visit the inquiry page on their site, available in English but welcome to questions in Japanese as well.