Testimonials

In Ehime prefecture, Matsuyama city, nestled in the mountains beyond the famous Dogo Onsen lies Okudogo Onsen, another well-known hot spring retreat. At its heart stands Okudogo Ichiyu no Mori, a hotel with a storied past.
In 1964, it opened as the only hot spring hotel in the area. Decades later, in 2014, it was renovated and reopened as part of the Kaiei RYOKANS group. Today, the hotel boasts 160 guest rooms and welcomes an increasing number of international visitors.
The hotel's standout feature is its massive open-air bath, spanning approximately 1,508 square meters—the largest of its kind in western Japan. In addition to overnight stays, the facility also offers day-use hot spring baths.

Fuwarica Makes Its Buffet Debut

While the hotel offers kaiseki cuisine in a dedicated dining area, buffet-style breakfast and dinner are served in the main building.
Guests can enjoy exquisite local dishes made with premium ingredients from Ehime Prefecture, complemented by a live kitchen held daily, which receives rave reviews from visitors.
At this buffet venue, you'll find Suzumo's rice serving machine "Fuwarica."

Vibrant Buffet Hall with a Live Kitchen Experience

Previously, guests would serve themselves rice using a rice paddle next to the rice warmer, following the traditional style.
This often led to congestion when serving rice, as well as the need for frequent cleaning around the rice warmer and the rice paddle. Seeking a solution, the hotel’s staff came across an article about Fuwarica in a magazine. They quickly requested a catalog from a related company.

Two Fuwarica GST-RRA Units in Action

The Rice-Serving Machine Fuwarica series includes several models with different designs and functionalities. 
Among them, the hotel selected two GST-RRA units in black.

According to Assistant Manager Mr. Yasuda, the sleek design was a key factor in their choice, as it blends seamlessly with the buffet setting. 
During dinner service, one unit is used for plain white rice, while the other serves Tai-meshi (a local sea bream rice dish). At breakfast, both machines are used for white rice.

A 30% Reduction in Rice Consumption!

When asked about the benefits of using Fuwarica, Mr. Yasuda listed numerous advantages.
First and foremost, it effectively eliminated guest congestion at the rice station. With just the push of a button, guests receive a perfectly portioned serving, allowing them to move smoothly to the next section of the buffet. Additionally, the elimination of rice paddles has improved hygiene, and since the rice warmers no longer need to be opened frequently, the rice stays hotter and fresher.
One particularly unexpected benefit was the significant decrease in leftover rice. As a result, rice consumption dropped by 30%. This has greatly contributed to both reducing food waste and cutting costs.
The staff was initially concerned that cleaning and maintaining the machines might be time-consuming. However, they quickly became accustomed to the process, and now, Fuwarica has become an indispensable part of their buffet operation.

Fuwarica & Assistant Manager (Customer Service) Mr. Yasuda

A Rich and Varied Menu

Both overnight and day-use guests can enjoy the buffet. International visitors usually make up 30-40% of the guests, with more families staying during summer vacation.
With so many visitors coming to Okudogo Ichiyu no Mori, Suzumo’s Fuwarica has been actively supporting the hotel’s buffet dining space.