August 2nd 2024.
Miraizaka, a popular izakaya branch in Tokyo's Shinbashi neighborhood, has recently introduced a new and advanced ordering system. According to the restaurant, no AI can match its efficiency and effectiveness. The Miraizaka izakaya branch boasts of its delicious karaage fried chicken and cozy interior design, making it the perfect spot for some delicious food and refreshing drinks. Looking at their photos, it is evident that the restaurant has a unique appeal.
Fried chicken is always a great idea, and Miraizaka offers some of the best in town. However, these are not the only things that make this restaurant stand out. The izakaya has something that is not easy to find elsewhere - anime-style avatar staff who take your orders. These are not pre-recorded animations or AI programs, but instead, they are remotely controlled by real human beings. The setup is similar to the ones used by virtual YouTubers, adding a unique touch to the dining experience.
Miraizaka prides itself on being a legitimate restaurant, not a pseudo-dining paid-companionship provider like hostess bars. Despite this, the interactions between customers and staff, such as a sincere "Thanks for dining with us today!" or a "What do you recommend?" add to the overall experience. While many restaurants in Japan are switching to touchscreen ordering systems to reduce costs and overcome staffing shortages, Miraizaka has taken a different approach. The restaurant has partnered with Avatar Dining Lab, a Tokyo-based startup, to create a high-tech hybrid of real and virtual wait staff. Their aim is to provide a human element that AI cannot replicate.
Apart from the novelty factor and benefits for the restaurant, the system also benefits workers. It eliminates the need to commute and allows part-timers to pick up shifts at multiple locations, even appearing as different avatars at different restaurants at the same time. The avatars made their debut at the Shinbashi location on July 29 and will be on duty until August 29, from 6 to 11 p.m. This is just a one-month trial, but with Miraizaka having branches all over Japan and being part of the Watami group, which manages multiple other izakaya chains, we may see avatars appearing in more restaurants in the future.
For more information about Miraizaka and its Shinbashi Ginza-guchi Guard-shita branch, visit their website. Who knows, you might even spot an avatar while you're there!
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