Thank you for reading. I’m “Gifukko,” and I’ve just joined the company. In this post, I’d like to talk about what led me to join the Dandelions and my impressions since joining.
The reason I joined the company
During my college years, I was a student in the College of Agriculture and was in an environment that had little to do with the IT industry. I conducted research on microorganisms at university, and thinking I could apply my knowledge of agriculture, I took a job at a food processing plant after graduation. I worked at my previous job for about two years. The work centered on assembly line tasks and required me to perform set procedures with precision. During that time, I had the opportunity to work with embedded systems—commonly known as microcomputers—and watching my senior colleagues handle them sparked my interest in technology. That encounter prompted me to start studying IT. However, when the senior colleague I had looked up to resigned, I began to think deeply about my own future. I decided I wanted to be in an environment where I could grow while learning new technologies, so I resolved to make a career change to the IT industry. The reason I applied to Dandelions was that I was drawn to the positive atmosphere I sensed during the interview. I was attracted to an environment where each person could work naturally, rather than one with a rigid corporate culture.
Impressions After Joining the Company
My previous job focused mainly on assembly line work, so it involved consistently performing set tasks. In contrast, my current job gives me the opportunity to learn something new every day. Sometimes I struggle to solve problems and feel embarrassed. Even so, I can really feel my knowledge growing little by little, and I’m happy to see myself improving. Since we’re an IT company, technical skills are obviously required, but because I also have opportunities to work at client sites, I feel that communication skills are important as well. We have training sessions for handling phone calls and face-to-face interactions. I was a bit nervous about it at first, but through daily practice, I feel I’m gradually improving. There are also foreign nationals working at our company. Everyone speaks Japanese very well, and when I think about how much effort they must have put in to become fluent in a foreign language, I truly admire them. The overall atmosphere at the company is great, and I feel it’s an environment where I can learn freely and comfortably.
Self‑Introduction
My hobby is visiting hot springs. I’ve been to every super sentō in Nagoya. I really love taking my time soaking in lukewarm water, letting my body float, and just relaxing. The moment after a long soak when I drink an ice-cold, sweet juice is the best. Music production is also one of my hobbies. Lately, I’ve noticed that the wave of AI adoption is spreading throughout the music industry as well. If I try to create everything with AI, the result won’t be the song I envision. However, by utilizing AI for tasks like analyzing vocals and instrument types or adding accompaniment, I can shorten the production time. I think that in the future, music production will become a hobby that more people can easily enjoy.
I’m sleeping at Yuno-ya, a natural hot spring called Tokichi-ro.I’m using SUNO, an AI music generator.
Thank you for reading this far. That’s all for this post. Stay tuned for the next blog post!
Hello, everyone. This is “Pudding🍮” from the Business Development Department. In this post, I’d like to tell you about the major redesign of “DandelionsJapan,” the overseas e-commerce site operated by our company. DandelionsJapan underwent a major website redesign this past March! In this post, I’d like to share—from my perspective as someone involved in the project—why we decided to redesign the site, what aspects we focused on during the redesign, and what changes we’ve seen since the launch.
What exactly is a “cross-border e-commerce site”?
First of all, do you know what a “cross-border e-commerce site” is? Simply put, a cross-border e-commerce site is an online store that sells products to people overseas, across national borders. With the goal of bringing Japan’s attractive products to customers overseas, we have been selling a variety of Japanese products to customers in the United States, France, and other countries. I believe that one of the unique appeals of cross-border e-commerce is that it allows customers not only in Japan but also overseas to discover Japanese products and actually get their hands on them.
Why Did We Redesign DandelionsJapan?
Originally, DandelionsJapan was planned and operated with a focus on “stylish designs that would appeal to international customers.” Our goal was not only to encourage international customers to purchase Japanese products—particularly those from the Tokai region and the Nagoya area—but also to spark their interest in Japan itself, inspiring them to think, “I’d like to actually visit Japan.” However, as we continued to operate the business, several challenges became apparent. One of the biggest issues was that it wasn’t clear who the site was intended for or what it was meant to convey. Because the site’s design didn’t quite match the price range of the products, and the range of product categories had expanded, it became unclear what exactly customers could buy at DandelionsJapan. If the target audience remains undefined, it becomes difficult to decide on the site’s design, create product photos and descriptions, or promote the site through ads and social media. “Who do we want to reach with this product?” “What impression do you want visitors to this site to have?” “What are the items you can only buy at DandelionsJapan?” We needed to take another look at these aspects. So, for this redesign, we decided not only to update the site’s appearance but also to reevaluate the site’s overall direction. We want more international customers to fall in love with Japan. We want them to learn more about Japanese culture. And we want them to experience more Japanese products. With these goals in mind, we’ve completely revamped DandelionsJapan.
beforeafter
Specific Details of the Redesign
From here on, we’ll provide a detailed overview of exactly which parts of the site we’ve updated and how, specifically for our international customers.
◆Point A: “A Modern, Stylish Design”
The first major change we made was to the overall design of the site. With this redesign, we’ve defined our target audience more clearly.
We have defined our target audience as: ・People who are interested in Japan, love Japan, or love Japanese products ・Women in their 30s and 40s ・Targeted at the U.S. and Western markets
We have identified the following as the main products we want to sell: ・Kimonos ・Remade kimono items ・Fashion items that can be worn with kimonos ・Traditional Japanese crafts and so on.
On the previous site, the concept was a bit vague, making it difficult to achieve a consistent look across product types and designs. So this time, after clearly defining our target audience and the products we wanted to sell, we updated the design to emphasize “modern,” “elegant,” and “mature” aesthetics. When deciding on the design, we didn’t jump straight into production; instead, we first conducted market research. We searched for e-commerce sites that, like us, sell kimonos and other traditional Japanese products to international customers, and investigated questions such as: “What kinds of designs are being used?” “What kinds of products are being sold?” “What features are available?” While drawing inspiration from other sites, we didn’t simply copy them; instead, we created our design while carefully considering how to bring out the unique character of DandelionsJapan.
We’ve also made improvements to the product photos. Previously, we allowed up to four photos per product, but following the redesign, we’ve increased that limit to a maximum of eight photos per product. For international customers, product photos are extremely important on e-commerce sites where they cannot see the actual items in person. We’ve made sure to provide as much information as possible—not just front-view photos, but also details of the design, the texture of the fabric, the back of the item, and photos from different angles—so customers can get a comprehensive view. This allows customers to learn more about the products in detail before making a purchase.
◆Point B: “Convenient Feature Design”
Next, we focused on features designed to ensure users can navigate the site comfortably. As part of this redesign, we added a “Back to Top” button, product filtering options, and a “Favorites” feature. One particular challenge was that, as the number of products increased, it became harder to find the specific product customers were looking for. No matter how appealing the products are, if it takes too long for users to find them, the site will be difficult to use. Therefore, we’ve revised our product categories and added filter functions to make it easier to find products. In addition to text-based searches (such as by product name), users can now narrow down their search results based on criteria such as store and price. “I want to find products made with kimono fabric.” “I’m looking for something in this price range.” We’ve made it possible for users to smoothly find the products they need based on their specific goals.
We’ve also added a feature that lets you save items you’re interested in to your favorites. On e-commerce sites, there are times when you might think, “I’m not ready to buy this right now, but I’d like to look at it again later.” By using the favorites feature, you can save items that catch your eye so you can compare them later or consider purchasing them.
We aimed to create a website where users can easily find products and discover items that catch their interest by minimizing any aspects that might make the site feel “difficult to use.”
◆Point C: “Enhancing a Sense of Security”
Another major improvement we’ve made is organizing information to help users feel confident about their purchases. When purchasing products from overseas e-commerce sites, some people may feel even more anxious than they do with domestic Japanese sites, wondering, “Is it really safe to buy from here?” In particular, when purchasing Japanese products from overseas, customers need not only product information but also details on the purchasing process, terms of service, frequently asked questions, and other relevant information. Therefore, as part of this redesign, we’ve organized information such as our USP (Unique Selling Proposition), FAQs, and terms of service, and we’ve upgraded the contact form to make it more user-friendly. We believe it’s important not just to display and sell products, but also to make customers feel that they can shop with confidence on this site.
What changes have there been since the redesign?
Since we underwent a major redesign, we’ve been seeing gradual changes on the site. Currently, the number of registered users and page views is gradually increasing. In addition, while we previously had many users from Asia, since the site redesign, we’ve seen an increase in visits from users in the United States—the market we’ve targeted this time. I think this may be a sign that the targets and direction we set for the site during this redesign are gradually starting to yield results. Of course, there are still plenty of areas that need improvement. In particular, the major challenge we face right now is how to bridge the gap between getting people to visit the site and actually purchasing products. Even if the number of visitors to the site increases, an e-commerce site cannot be considered successful unless customers actually make purchases. Therefore, moving forward, I feel it’s necessary not only to focus on website development but also to learn more about marketing, and to consider questions such as: “Why do customers buy this product?” “What kind of information leads to a purchase?” “What do international customers look for in Japanese products?” I feel it’s essential to give these aspects careful consideration.
Summary
This redesign marked a major turning point for DandelionsJapan. Not only did we update the site’s design, but by rethinking our core question—“Who are we trying to reach, and what do we want to convey?”—we’ve made the site’s direction much clearer than before. Moving forward, we plan to continue improving the site to make it more user-friendly and appealing, while taking user feedback and traffic data into account. Ultimately, we aim to make DandelionsJapan a platform that introduces international customers to the charm of Japanese culture and products, inspiring them to think, “I want to learn more about Japanese products” and “I want to visit Japan.”
We are grateful to have welcomed six new employees again this year. To celebrate our new teammates, we recently held a ‘New Employee Welcome Party.’ In this post, we would like to share a look at how the event went!
The welcome party begins!
This time, we held the welcome party inside our office. Everyone worked together to prepare and clean up, and through those shared tasks, conversations naturally started to flow. Little by little, we were able to break the ice with our new employees as well. By the time the party began, the venue had already become a warm and comfortable space where everyone could talk easily.
As we continued preparing, conversations like ‘Where should we put this?’ and ‘I can help!’ filled the room, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere even before the party began. By the time the welcome party started, the venue had already become a relaxed space where everyone could talk comfortably.
Cheers! And now, on to the new employees’ self‑introductions!
Since conversations were already flowing naturally during the preparation stage, the toast lifted the mood even more, and the venue quickly became lively and energetic!
Scenes from the toast
In an atmosphere a little different from our usual workday, both senior employees and new members enjoyed chatting with one another, and a warm, friendly mood filled the venue throughout the event. As the room grew more lively, it was finally time for the new employees to begin their self‑introductions.
This year, some of our new members had already met us through internships and company information sessions before joining. To make the introductions more fun, we added a special activity: in addition to the usual self‑introductions, each new employee answered a randomly selected question from our ‘100 Questions’ list. Some of the same questions from last year appeared again, so we were excited to hear what kinds of answers we would get this time! Through their responses, we learned about each person’s hobbies and even some unexpected sides of their personality, making it a truly enjoyable introduction session.
This year’s new employees
Conclusion
This welcome party turned out to be a truly enjoyable time, allowing us to discover new sides of our new employees.
As we begin working together, I’m excited to discover even more of the unique personalities we got to see during the welcome party. With our new teammates, we’re motivated to keep doing our best moving forward.
That’s all for this update. We will continue sharing our in‑house recreation activities and event highlights on this blog. Please look forward to our next recreation event!
Recently, I had the chance to work with WordPress for the first time in a while.
So, for this post, I decided to set up WordPress 7.0 in a local environment and try out AI Client for myself.
What Is the “AI Client” in WordPress 7.0?
AI Client is a system designed to make it easier to use AI services from within WordPress and plugins.
Until now, when using AI from a plugin, it was necessary to implement API connection processes and other tasks for each AI service used.
By using the AI Client, you can access a common framework for working with AI from within WordPress.
In this article, we’ll try using this system in practice.
Setting Up WordPress 7.0 Locally
This time, we’ll test it in a local environment.
We’ll be using “Local.”
Since it makes it easy to set up a WordPress testing environment, it’s useful for experiments like this one.
First, launch Local and create a new WordPress site.
For this post, I’ve named the site “wp-ai-test.”
For this test, we are using WordPress 7.0.3.
Trying Out the AI Client
Creating a Plugin
When you press the button, it asks the AI a specific question and displays the answer.
I’m going to create a small plugin called…
Open the wp-ai-test folder you created in Local.
Inside the “app/public/wp-content/plugins” directory in WordPress,
Create a folder named “wp-ai-client-test.”
Inside that directory, create a file named “wp-ai-client-test.php.”
Initial plugin code
First, let’s get WordPress to recognize it.
I will enter the information as described above and save it.
In the WordPress admin panel, go to “Plugins” → “Installed Plugins.”
“WordPress AI Client Test” will appear in the list of plugins.
Add “AI Client Test” to the Admin Panel
Next, we’ll create a dedicated page in the admin panel.
Add the code to the file from earlier.
Once you save and refresh the admin screen, “AI Client Test” will appear in the left-hand menu.
Make sure to “activate” the plugin.
Add a “Ask AI” feature
In this session, we’ll set it up so that when the “Ask AI” button is clicked, a fixed question is sent to OpenAI.
Add the processing to the ai_client_test_page() function.
We’ll also make a few changes to the form.
Save and Run
When I clicked the “Ask AI” button, the answer to my question was displayed.
Summary
Given the name “AI Client,” I had imagined the implementation would be a bit more complex, but I was able to call the AI with some simple code.
AI Client is not a feature that provides AI itself, but rather a platform for using AI within WordPress. To actually create useful features, you’ll need to integrate it using plugins or similar methods.
Since WordPress allows you to add features through plugins, I felt that combining it with AI Client could lead to the implementation of various AI features in the future.
Going forward, I’d like to try out features that are useful for actual WordPress management, such as article summaries and title generation.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. My name is VAWS, and I joined the company in April 2026. In this article, I would like to share what led me to join Dandelions, my impressions after joining, and a brief self‑introduction.
The reason I joined the company
I studied IT for two years at a vocational college in Nagoya. I wanted to work in a role where I could make use of the knowledge and skills I had learned, but because I didn’t have a clearly defined field I wanted to pursue, I focused my job search on companies with a workplace atmosphere where I felt I could work comfortably. While I was struggling to find a company I truly felt satisfied with, I happened to join a company information session held at my school out of simple curiosity—and that’s where I first learned about Dandelions.I became interested after hearing about the diverse nationalities of the employees and the unique, positive atmosphere. I also deeply resonated with the company’s “visualization” approach to evaluating each individual and its strong respect for diversity in nationality and culture. This led me to apply for the selection process.
After receiving my job offer, I joined the internship program to experience the actual workplace atmosphere. Although I was initially worried about communicating with foreign employees, I found that everyone interacted actively regardless of nationality, and each person spoke freely and openly. The environment felt bright, flat, and not overly hierarchical, and experiencing that firsthand made me genuinely excited about working in this place.
Impressions After Joining the Company
After joining the company as a new graduate, I am currently undergoing training. The sessions on business etiquette and communication with foreign employees made me realize just how many things I need to be mindful of as a working professional. In the technical training, most of the technologies were new to me, and I initially felt overwhelmed because there was so much I didn’t understand. However, thanks to the mutual support within my cohort and the generous guidance from senior colleagues, I’ve been gradually building up my skills. I’m also studying to obtain professional certifications, and I’m currently working toward earning my second one.
As a newly hired graduate still learning and growing, I want to take on many challenges, steadily acquire new technologies, and work hard to become an engineer who can contribute to Dandelions.
Self‑Introduction
Lastly, I’d like to share something I’m really into right now. Recently, I’ve become a huge fan of Vaundy! I’ve always enjoyed listening to music, and I only knew his songs casually at first, but after my brother invited me to his concert this March, I completely fell in love with his music. Hearing his voice live was on a whole different level compared to listening through earphones, and when my favorite song started, I was so moved that I couldn’t stop crying. The next concert is still a little ways off, but I’ve already secured my ticket, so I’m planning to save up so I can buy lots of merch. If any of this sparks even a bit of interest, he’ll be performing in 13 cities across Japan next year—so I highly recommend checking it out!
Vaundy DOME TOUR 2026 “SILENCE”
Thank you so much for reading all the way to the end. That’s all for this post. Please look forward to the next employee introduction as well!!
