Sakatsu Gallery, a diorama specialty store in Sugamo, Tokyo, has launched an online customer service service at the storefront level using generative AI.

Diorama specialty store Sakatsu Gallery (located in Sugamo, Toshima-ku, Tokyo) has launched an online customer service service utilizing generative AI on its online store, ShopSakatsu.com (https://shopsakatsu.com/). This service is the first of its kind (according to our research) to be introduced by a small-scale model specialty store in the industry. ChatGPT-based AI chatbots provide advice on questions related to diorama building 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The service provides useful support for a wide range of users, from beginners who want to start the hobby to enthusiasts who want to improve their expressive skills.

Click the icon in the lower right corner to start a conversation with the AI store manager "Naoki-kun.

■Background of development: Introduction of AI chatbots to respond to a wide variety of product lines and diverse needs

Diorama supplies come in a wide variety of types. For example, even just "trees" come in different shapes, sizes, and colors, such as hardwoods and softwoods, and the number of variations increases like multiplication. Although we carry approximately 10,000 products, this large number of items often led to problems such as "I can't find the product I want" or "I don't know what to choose.

Another issue was the product search function settings. For example, a product set named "passerby" includes a man in a suit, a woman with a bag, and a student, but with the conventional search function, it was difficult to find hits for keywords such as "businessman" and "pedestrian," and users had to look at product images one by one to find them. Diorama products have a wide range of expression, and if a beginner, for example, starts his/her search with a vague wish to "create a sea," it will be difficult to purchase and produce the product as he/she wishes without understanding all the necessary materials and procedures.

We decided to introduce an AI chatbot as a means to solve such problems of "not knowing which product to choose" and "not finding the perfect product even after searching. The AI chatbot can suggest appropriate items from a wide range of products for beginners' vague requests or searches for synonymous terms, and assist them with post-purchase production images.

An example of AI support that satisfies users: Aiming to provide customer service that is as good as that of a real store

Sakatsu Gallery's AI chatbot provides flexible advice in response to specific questions. For example, when a user asks, "How do I make a diorama?" the AI will explain in a friendly tone, "Let's talk about how to make a diorama! in a friendly tone of voice, and carefully guides the user through the eight steps from "How to decide on a theme" to "Finishing touches. We also recommend related books such as "Diorama for Beginners" and "Introduction to Diorama Making" to help you naturally acquire the knowledge necessary for making dioramas.

Furthermore, we can respond to short inquiries about "water" without specific requests. For example, "There are various materials and tools available when creating a diorama about the expression of water. Can you tell us what kind of scene you would like to create?" and while eliciting the user's image, three specific examples of products that can express rivers and lakes are presented. These questions do not have a fixed response, but rather, the AI accurately guides the user to an answer according to the customer's objectives and the content of the question.

The AI will respond to "How to enjoy dioramas" with a general flow of answers (answers are subject to change).

Results: 450 conversations in a month, with AI supporting customer service for 7 and a half hours.

The AI chatbot has completed about 450 conversations in a month, helping customers enjoy making dioramas and selecting products. Assuming that a human spends one minute to answer each question, the total time spent by the AI is 7.5 hours. This has also led to improved customer satisfaction.

■A world of creativity supported by AI for new hobbies

Dioramas are gaining wide recognition on social networking services, and new ways to enjoy dioramas, such as combining them with moss terrariums, have been gaining attention in recent years as a hobby that fosters creativity and allows people to enjoy a relaxing moment. Sakatsu Gallery's AI customer service brings a new experience that solves beginners' "I don't know what to do" and supports their own unique creative activities. Even particularly busy people can easily ask questions and expand their enjoyment of modeling, even late at night, with the 24-hour online consultation service.

■Manager's thoughts: I want you to enjoy the freedom of creativity in your hobby.

Diorama creation is a hobby that offers a high degree of freedom and creativity among the modeling genres. On the other hand, it is often difficult to decide on a theme and select parts, and beginners may feel intimidated. We hope that Sakatsu Gallery's AI chatbot will lower these hurdles and play a supportive role in easing the anxiety of those who are new to dioramas.

We hope that AI support will help even more people enjoy the hobby of diorama, which allows them to create nostalgic scenes that remind them of their childhood and give shape to the landscapes they have always longed to see.

For inquiries regarding this press release, please contact

Sakatsu Gallery (Sakatsu Ltd.)

Location ： Club Leash 1F, 3-25-13 Sugamo, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0002, Japan

Phone: 03-3949-2892

URL : https://sakatsu.jp/

Business hours: 10:30-19:00 (closed on Thursdays)

WebAI support : 24 hours a day, 365 days a year