JR Kyushu Hotel & Resorts Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Fukuoka City, President: Hidehiko Kadoi) has collaborated with Nakamura International Hotel College (Location: Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Principal: Munehiro Nishida) at its accommodation-focused hotel, "JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Hakata Chuo," to implement its first-ever industry-academia collaboration project, "Enhancing the Breakfast Experience to Meet Inbound Demand." Students analyzed over 3,000 reviews from four competing hotels and developed new breakfast menus and experience-enhancing measures with a focus on the rapidly increasing number of travelers from Asian countries.
This project involved students conducting research and analysis to revamp the breakfast menu, reflecting the real voices of guests. While inheriting the existing concepts of "health, local production for local consumption, and vegetables," the improvements proposed aimed to enhance the "experience value of enjoying a travel morning." Based on these proposals, the restaurant management company developed new products, leading to the creation of the signature new menu item, "Customizable Glass Noodle Soup." By allowing guests to freely choose ingredients and seasonings, and serving them freshly prepared at a live kitchen, the experience of "seeing, choosing, and tasting" was designed, strengthening the appeal of the breakfast time itself.
The signature "Glass Noodle Soup" is a customizable new breakfast where guests can freely select ingredients and seasonings, featuring a colorful presentation centered on vegetables.
Furthermore, attention was paid to the presentation, pursuing photogenic and visually appealing dishes with colorful arrangements centered on vegetables, balancing health consciousness with satisfaction. Additionally, to cater specifically to international guests, particularly from Asian countries, clear dish names, English descriptions, intuitive display designs, and smooth restaurant flow were implemented, enhancing services for inbound tourists.
Hotel breakfasts are a crucial touchpoint that significantly influences guest satisfaction. Meanwhile, with the rapid rise in inbound tourism demand, meeting the expectations of guests from diverse cultural backgrounds has become a more important challenge than ever. Our hotel, strategically located about a 2-minute walk from the Hakata Station Hakata Exit, a prime tourist hub, welcomes many guests from both domestic and international locations, increasing the need to further enhance the quality of the breakfast experience. Against this backdrop, we decided to incorporate a fresh perspective from vocational school students, who are the next generation of hoteliers with international experience, in addition to our in-house expertise.
Analysis of Over 3,000 Reviews - A Six-Month Initiative Based on Data
This initiative was conducted over approximately six months, from May to October 2025. Students engaged in practical on-site research from the perspective of "reputation management" – improving services based on review ratings – conducting competitor breakfast surveys, analyzing reviews, and researching the needs of the target demographic. The main details are as follows:
Item
Details
Implementation Period
May to October 2025 (approx. 6 months)
Survey Target
4 competing hotels
Total number of reviews analyzed
Over 3,000 (with approximately 300 focused on breakfast-related aspects)
Output
New breakfast menu composition and experience value enhancement measures
Students participating in the project commented, "I truly realized how important it is to think from the customer's perspective. We were able to work together as a team, conducting competitor breakfast surveys (including tastings), analyzing negative keywords from reviews, and repeatedly calculating and aligning opinions on breakfast pricing based on various data."
Students who participated in the project
A key feature of this menu is its evolution while inheriting the existing concepts of "health, local production for local consumption, and vegetables."
Future Outlook
We view this initiative as the first step in industry-academia collaboration. We will continue to deepen our partnerships with regional educational institutions and strive for sustainable value creation through both service quality improvement and the development of next-generation talent. The success born from the encounter between students' fresh ideas and on-site experience symbolizes the hotel's commitment to growing with the region. In Fukuoka and Hakata, a city welcoming diverse guests, we will continue to refine the morning experience that brightens the start of our visitors' days. Adding a small moment of delight to the travel morning is, we believe, a crucial element in enriching the memories of the stay itself. Moving forward, we will continue to build hotels loved by guests from Japan and abroad, while walking alongside the local community and educational institutions, and deliver the vitality of Kyushu to the world.
JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Hakata Chuo Overview
A convenient hotel for both tourism and business, located about a 2-minute walk from the Hakata Station Hakata Exit.
[Location]
2-2-11 Hakataekimae, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, 812-0011
[TEL]
092-477-8739
[Access]
Approximately 2 minutes on foot from the Hakata Station Hakata Exit
[URL]
https://www.jrk-hotels.co.jp/Hakatachuo/
Breakfast Information
Business Hours: 06:30 - 10:00 (Last entry 09:30)
Venue: Nanatsunohana (Operated by: Grano 24K Co., Ltd.)
Price:
Adults: 2,200 yen (tax included)
Children: 1,320 yen (tax included) / Toddlers: Free
Nakamura International Hotel College Overview
Nakamura International Hotel College offers a comprehensive curriculum for students aiming for careers in the hospitality industry, including hotels and bridal services.
[School Name]
Nakamura International Hotel College
[Location]
2-1-21 Hirao, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, 810-0014
[Classification]
Private Vocational School (Specialized Course)
[Established]
1991
[URL]
https://hotel.nakamura-s.ac.jp/
FACT BOX
- Source: PR TIMES
- Category: 産学連携