High School Creativity Meets Iconic Flavor: Tenkaippin’s Unique Collaboration
Kyoto’s legendary Chinese noodle specialist, Tenkaippin, renowned for its rich and thick “Kottori” (rich and thick) soup, has embarked on an exciting industry-academia collaboration. The popular chain partnered with third-year students from Kyoto Prefectural Kyoto Subaru High School’s Department of Information Science, bringing student-designed packages for ‘Tenkaippin Ie-Men’ (home ramen) and ‘Kottori Annin’ (rich almond tofu) to market. These unique products were unveiled at the “Kyoto Subaru Department Store” on November 15th, offering a taste of student innovation.
Fostering Future Creators Through Real-World Experience
This collaborative project was born from Tenkaippin’s desire to cultivate future creators and provide a practical learning environment. The company aimed for students to experience the joy of seeing their ideas materialize and being embraced by customers. The initiative challenged students with the entire business process: from crafting package designs and devising sales strategies (encompassing in-person, online, and even metaverse platforms) to executing sales. Through this hands-on program, the high schoolers gained not only design skills but also crucial business acumen, preparing them to be future leaders in their communities.
From Tasting to Design: The Creative Journey
The project commenced with students tasting Tenkaippin’s signature products, exchanging impressions to spark their initial package design concepts.
Following this, each student presented their design, articulating the ideas and inspirations behind their creations. The chosen designs were then brought to life as actual product packaging.
One student involved in the project excitedly shared, “Seeing our designs come to life and customers pick them up was an incredible feeling. It taught us that our creativity can truly bring smiles!”
The Star Products: ‘Ie-Men’ and ‘Kottori Annin’
The two distinct products feature captivating student-designed packaging:
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Ie-Men (Yeah-Men):
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Concept: While retaining motifs from Tenkaippin’s traditional packaging, this design incorporates unique, youthful taglines and emphasizes the collaboration. The affectionate nickname “yeah-Men” embodies the students’ wish for customers to smile when they enjoy the ramen.
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Appeal: A catchy name and a playful design that resonates with fans.
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Kottori Annin:
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Concept: Drawing inspiration from Tenkaippin’s iconic “Kottori Ramen,” this package playfully contrasts the rich ramen image with a charming, dessert-like aesthetic.
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Appeal: The unexpected fusion of “Kottori” and “Kawaii” (cute) makes it perfect for social media and trend-focused platforms.
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“Kyoto Subaru Department Store 2025”: A Direct Sales Experience
The student-designed products were sold directly to customers at the “Kyoto Subaru Department Store” event held on November 15th. This provided students with the invaluable opportunity to personally convey the passion and thought behind their designs.
These special collaboration products are also available through Tenkaippin’s official online shop, allowing a wider audience to enjoy the fruits of this unique partnership. For more details, please visit the official Tenkaippin website.
A Future Forged in Collaboration
Tenkaippin remains committed to actively engaging in community-based support activities, including partnerships with students, to foster a society where everyone can thrive. Such collaborations not only empower the next generation with practical skills but also infuse everyday lifestyle items with a fresh, youthful “Kawaii” sensibility. These initiatives are sure to inspire new trends and contribute to the vibrant future of Japanese culture, both domestically and abroad.
For more information on Tenkaippin, visit their official website:
https://www.tenkaippin.co.jp
