Ramen and customer service

Even ramen bars in Japan think about how to anticipate customer needs. Here's one example.

The weather in Japan can be quite variable and temperamental. In Sapporo for example, heavy rainfall and snow is common during the right seasons, and your soaked shoes and umbrella will probably drag in the miserable weather indoors in the form of a wet floor.

While there is only so much a dining establishment can do to keep the floor dry in such conditions, I did notice that the ramen shops there always provided a place to keep your bag away from the floor. If at the counter, this was a nook under the counter itself - large enough to fit most bags, and yet not so low that it interferes with the ability to put your legs underneath. At individual tables, they would have a nice looking box underneath to do the exact same thing.

What this meant was that I was able to enjoy my miso ramen without having to worry about getting my man-bag wet, and I find that it is these small touches which helps deliver the perfect customer experience.

A small nook underneath the ramen bar lets you store your bags...

...or if you're sitting at the tables, a basket also does the trick.