KOBE Beef Emperor Steak, Which Achieved ¥20 Million Monthly Sales in Just 6 Months, Becomes Stage for Inbound Experience! Horii Food Service Launches Special 'Sumo Culture Experience × Kobe Beef' Program with Former Sekiwake Takanoshima Taiki

Horii Food Service Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture; President and CEO: Akihisa Fujita) has collaborated with former sekiwake Takanoshima Taiki to launch a special experiential program combining sumo experience and Kobe beef dinner for inbound foreign visitors.

This initiative was planned and implemented as a new inbound-focused content combining sumo, a traditional Japanese culture, and Kobe beef, a representative Japanese culinary experience.

Designed to offer "a day of deep Japanese immersion," the program allowed participants to experience sumo culture and enjoy a Kobe beef dinner.

Takanoshima shared insights on sumo's highlights, rikishi movements, cultural background, and the unique atmosphere of sumo stables, drawing from his personal experiences. With interpreters facilitating communication, overseas participants were able to understand Japan's traditional culture more deeply.

The program also included interactive experiences such as trying sumo rituals and poses, making sumo culture more accessible and engaging.

The venue for this program was KOBE Beef Emperor Steak, operated by Horii Food Service.

At the venue, participants enjoyed a Kobe beef dinner alongside sumo explanations, cultural exchanges, and commemorative photo sessions in sumo poses. They spent quality time savoring Kobe beef while immersing themselves in traditional Japanese culture.

The Buzzworthy Concept 'KOBE Beef Emperor Steak' That Achieved ¥20 Million Monthly Sales in Just 6 Months

KOBE Beef Emperor Steak, the dinner venue for this event, is a Kobe beef steak concept operated by Horii Food Service.

The restaurant achieved ¥20 million in monthly sales just six months after opening.

Moreover, with over 90% of customer acquisition and reservations coming through web channels, it has gained attention as a store with strong synergy with digital marketing.

In addition to high-quality dining centered on Kobe beef, the restaurant has received high acclaim from domestic and international customers by providing clear information and web-based access tailored to inbound visitors.

For this program, the restaurant was used not merely as a dining venue, but as an experiential hub for inbound tourists, serving as the culminating point of a Japanese cultural experience.

By combining Horii Food Service's expertise in restaurant operations, digital customer acquisition capabilities, and experiential programming, the company has challenged itself to create new value as a food service enterprise.

From 'Place to Eat' to 'Gateway to Japanese Culture'

In recent years, the inbound tourism market has seen a growing demand for deeper experiences of Japan through cultural, culinary, and personal interactions, rather than just sightseeing.

This initiative represents a new approach: utilizing restaurants not just as places to eat, but as experiential bases for promoting Japanese culture. By planning and implementing experiential content combining sumo culture and Kobe beef, the company has explored new possibilities for value creation targeting inbound visitors.

Horii Food Service will continue to actively develop programs that integrate food, tourism, culture, and entertainment, aiming to create new value through diverse collaborations with corporations, local governments, tourism operators, talents, and athletes.

Additionally, through collaboration with Takanoshima, the company plans to expand initiatives that promote the charm of sumo culture both domestically and internationally.

Comment from Horii Food Service Representative

"We planned this program to allow inbound visitors to experience Japan more deeply by combining sumo, a traditional Japanese culture, with Kobe beef.

By combining sumo, a symbol of Japan, with Kobe beef, a globally recognized ingredient, we sense the potential to promote Japanese culture as experiential content.

Moving forward, our company will continue to challenge ourselves to create new value through initiatives that integrate food, culture, tourism, and entertainment."

Comment from Takanoshima Taiki

"I am truly delighted that international guests were able to experience sumo up close and feel its power and cultural depth.

While sumo is a traditional Japanese culture, I believe that by seeing it, hearing explanations, and asking questions, participants were able to feel closer to it.

I hope to continue using such opportunities to share the appeal of sumo with more people."

Future Outlook

Horii Food Service will continue to promote experiential programs for inbound visitors and collaboration initiatives with celebrities and organizations, striving to deliver new value beyond the scope of restaurant operations.

Centered on food, we will strengthen initiatives that connect culture, tourism, regions, and people, delivering "memorable experiences" to more customers.

Company Overview

Company Name: Horii Food Service Co., Ltd.

English Name: Horii Food Service Co., Ltd.

Representative: President and CEO Akihisa Fujita

Address: 4F, Karni Place Mito, 3-10-17 Jonan, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture 310-0803

Business: Chain development and operation of restaurants

URL: https://www.horiifood.co.jp/

Store Information

Store Name: KOBE Beef Emperor Steak (Emperor Steak)

Phone Number: 03-6457-6350

Address: 1F, kt Building, 1-12-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo