TripX and Ichinoyu Co-Develop AI Restaurant Seating System for Ryokans

TripX, a University of Tokyo-born AI startup specializing in accommodation and tourism (Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture; CEO: Takuto Nishimura, hereinafter 'TripX'), has co-developed an AI-powered restaurant seating system for ryokans called 'Tripbox Restaurant Seating AI' with Ichinoyu, a company operating hot spring inns and villas in Hakone (Headquarters: Hakone Town, Ashigarashimo District, Kanagawa Prefecture; President & CEO: Takuya Ogawa, hereinafter 'Ichinoyu'). This collaboration has successfully streamlined, standardized, and simplified the daily operational task of restaurant seating in the hospitality industry. TripX will begin offering this system as a new product within its accommodation DX platform 'Tripbox' starting June 16, 2026, and will expand its deployment to ryokans and hotels across Japan.

Background Behind the Development of 'Tripbox Restaurant Seating AI'

Balancing Diversification and Productivity Enhancement

At Ichinoyu, a ryokan in Hakone visited by over 120,000 guests annually (※1), the primary accommodation plan is 'one-night stay with two meals.' Managing restaurant operations for breakfast and dinner, along with assigning seating arrangements based on guest reservations (restaurant seating operations), is a critical daily task.

In recent years, the range of guest needs has expanded significantly, including inbound tourists, dietary restrictions such as allergies, vegetarian and vegan requirements, multiple dining course options, anniversary celebrations, and families with children. These diverse needs demand error-free service. As a result, restaurant seating and its associated tasks required approximately 60 to 90 minutes per restaurant per day (※2). To address the challenge of simultaneously improving guest satisfaction and operational efficiency, TripX and Ichinoyu jointly developed this system.

Benefits Achieved Through System Implementation

At Ichinoyu, the introduction of the 'Tripbox Restaurant Seating AI' has yielded the following benefits:

### Approximately 70% Reduction in Daily Restaurant Seating Time

By pre-setting seating logic, the system automatically completes seating arrangements based on the number of guests and party sizes each day. The process is designed to be simple: '① Import reservation data, ② Press the seating button, ③ Make minor adjustments and finalize,' eliminating the need for complex manuals. Previously, human errors such as omissions or incorrect entries occurred, requiring double-checking to prevent mistakes. With the system automating seating assignments, errors due to omissions or mistakes have been eliminated, reducing daily work time from 90 minutes to 30 minutes.

### Digitalization: Transition from Whiteboards to Tablets

Operations previously conducted by handwriting on whiteboards and placing magnets have been transitioned to tablets. This change enables text voice input, real-time information sharing across multiple screens, and daily data storage.

### Enhanced Focus on Guest Service and Improved Service Quality

While automation has improved efficiency and reduced labor, seating arrangements generated by the system are not used as-is. Staff perform final checks and make fine adjustments to ensure all guests are satisfied. As digitalization and AI adoption advance, the 'warmth of human hospitality' becomes increasingly important. By reducing indirect tasks, the system enables staff to dedicate more energy to the core business of 'guest service.'

### Moving Beyond Analog Whiteboards: Tablet Use Enhances Portability

Creating an environment where staff can fully concentrate on guest service through digital transformation

Future Plans

Ichinoyu has begun implementing the system in select locations, and TripX will continue to support expansion to all facilities.

Additionally, TripX will widely offer this system as 'Tripbox Restaurant Seating AI' to ryokans and hotels nationwide, supporting efficient restaurant operations and improved service quality at accommodation facilities.

Executive Comments from Both Companies

### Takuto Nishimura, CEO of TripX

'It is a great pleasure to collaborate with Ichinoyu in Hakone, the birthplace of TripX, through joint development.

In addition to TripX's previous initiatives in revenue analysis and automated email responses, we have now co-created the 'Restaurant Seating AI.'

While restaurant seating may sound simple, the actual operations involve a wide range of tasks, including guest list management, meal content tracking, and seat allocation for group guests. Going forward, we aim to stay closely connected to on-site operations and further expand the scope of operational efficiency improvements.'

### Takuya Ogawa, President & CEO of Ichinoyu

'Over our 396-year history since founding, what we have valued most is not merely preserving tradition, but the spirit of 'innovation'—continuously updating ourselves to keep pace with the times.

In the accommodation industry, DX is not merely about cost reduction or operational efficiency. Our true objective is to use AI and technology to reduce psychological and physical stress for on-site staff, thereby creating an environment where employees can focus on their core role: facing guests and delivering exceptional service.

With the introduction of 'Tripbox Restaurant Seating AI,' we will dedicate the newly created 'time' and 'mental bandwidth' to more thoughtful hospitality and warm, human-centered service—elements only humans can provide—and continue to propose new lodging experiences that guests will choose again and again.'

About TripX

A University of Tokyo-originated startup specializing in DX and AI for accommodation and tourism. The company provides 'Tripbox' (https://trip-box.jp/), a productivity-enhancing product for accommodation operators, and develops solutions in collaboration with tourist destinations.

Yohei Hara, Senior Managing Director of Hotel Okada and Chairman of the EC/DX Committee at the Japan Ryokan Association, serves as COO, promoting AI utilization based on frontline expertise.

Company Name: TripX Inc.

Headquarters: Maison de Grisigny 303, 2-18-6 Ebisu-minami, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Established: April 2025

Representative: Takuto Nishimura, CEO

Website: https://tripx.co.jp/

About Ichinoyu

Centered around 'Ichinoyu Honkan,' a historic hot spring ryokan founded in the Kan'ei era (1624), the company currently operates nine ryokan facilities (in Hakone-Yumoto, Tōnosawa, and Sengokuhara) and one private villa in Hakone. Guided by the management philosophy of 'delivering value one step ahead' and 'innovation and evolution'—aiming to 'transform lodging conventions and enrich daily life through hospitality'—the company has continuously challenged itself to create new lodging values despite its long heritage.

In December 2025, as a new initiative, they will open the lodging brand 'ICHI-VILLA CROSSROAD HAKONE,' proposing a 'stay-focused' accommodation style distinct from traditional hot spring inns, responding to diverse guest stay needs. Moving forward, they aim to advance together with guests, employees, and the local community, striving to operate ryokans that remain guests' preferred choice.

- 2008: Awarded the 4th 'High Service 300 Selection' (organized by the Council for Service Industry Productivity)

- 2015: Awarded the 6th 'Kanagawa Tourism Grand Prize' (organized by Kanagawa Prefecture)

- 2017: Certified as 'Kanagawa Prefecture's Gamanaru Enterprise ACE' for fiscal year 2017 (organized by Kanagawa Prefecture)

- 2018: Finalist in the 4th 'Japan Tourism Award' (Japan