Gallery Okubo — Restaurant in Tokyo

We have been there twice, but their extremely rude and unprofessional communication ruined it for us. Just to be clear, I have booked for my brother and her fiancee. I wasn't coming myself and only plan to meet them later because I have work to do and can only meet them later. Why do they force me to join when I already have recommended their business to both my brother and sister for both the tea ceremony and kimono rental. I am not coming but only meeting them afterwards. Regarding the shiromuku, it was an inquiry I made ages ago and I don't know why they have to mention it since it's irrelevant to this issue. I have made an inquiry if they know a business who rents out shiromuku since they also do kimono rental, I have asked way before this issue happened. I work at Google as a senior software engineer and can definitely pay and have paid generously as a tip of 10,000php to the assistant alone when I found the right kimono rental place. This is only a tip that I didn't have to give but paid generously without informing the shiromuku rental owner. The shiromuku rental alone costs over 300,000yen.

Here's what happened: We made our third reservation there, this time for a family member. Initially it seemed fine, but then they got angry about us wanting to take some memorial photos for them when they go out in kimonos. They called us "a kind of person who comes in to the restaurant, and asks for favor and takes things for granted".

These accusations are very disheartening since we have always been polite and paid our bills and never asked for anything special, and even went out of our way to advertise them in social media.

It's fine to have shop rules, but learn to communicate them like a civilized person instead of blurting out hateful false accusations.

Below is their message: Their message:

So I actually called them up to hear what the story is coz I felt that there was some kind of misunderstanding or cultural difference existing there.

First of all, they are having kimono service only to enhance Japanese cultural experience for tea ceremony.

I think in the past, Atsuko went extra miles to go out together and took photos for you? That was more from her kindness. So you might have gotten the wrong impression and took it for granted but kimono service was only aimed to enhance the tea ceremony experience.

I think Atsuko seemed to have impression that you were more interested in dressing up in kimono and walking with it outside taking photos rather than tea ceremony itself. Did you ask for Shiromuku (like newly wed special kimono or so?? ) So she got impression that you are asking more about kimono experience. And they are renting the kimono for tea ceremony purpose and not mainly to wear it and take photos outside.

Do you go to a restaurant to take photos but not eating anything but wait for those who are eating at the restaurant? If you go to restaurant, restaurant will expect you to eat something rather than not eating and just take photos, right? Or do you go to a wedding banquet and just go there to take photos and not eating anything at the ceremony? I think they felt that you are a kind of person who comes in to the restaurant, and ask for favor and take things for granted.

When I accompany friends and go there, I pay my fees. I don’t go there not ordering anything and just take photos.

Anyways, I think Atsuko shouldn’t have gone extra miles in the first place for you in the beginning that caused this problem eventually coz people would expect doing the same for their friends and families.

I only rented kimono for friends for tea ceremony and they didn’t go out with it outside before.

Anyways I will stop...

Such negative behavior from the daughter working here. I have been here twice, and I have always been respectful—both my husband and I. For the third time, I booked for my brother and his fiancée, but the daughter working here got offended when I said I would only meet them afterwards because I have work. I requested to come only to take photos of the couple, and she found that "disrespectful," jumping to conclusions and making her own negative assumptions. Please read our conversations. I'm just baffled by this rude behavior from her. I hope she becomes less easily offended and less irritated by trivial things.

Google translation of my response to her that was written in Japanese: I'm a bit puzzled by the sudden surge of your anger. Could you remind me when you mentioned our restriction on taking photos outdoors? I honestly can't recall a single instance where you communicated that to us. We've rented kimonos and availed of your services on two separate occasions, always treating you and your space with respect, and we've consistently taken photos outside. Could you kindly share the reason for your current displeasure? Naturally, if our usual practices don't align with your expectations, we're open to exploring other options. Your frustration is unnecessary, and we can certainly consider different arrangements.

I've made an effort to communicate clearly with you to avoid any potential issues. Naturally, we're interested in capturing photos outdoors, as we usually do. You even joined us outside to take pictures. I'm curious about what might be bothering you. Our interactions have consistently been marked by respect, and we've even gone the extra mile to promote your services multiple times on social media. It's disheartening to see this is how our relationship is being handled.

Our conversation was progressing smoothly from my perspective, and then out of nowhere, you erupted in anger to convey this? I can't recall a single instance where you mentioned that we shouldn't take photos outside. Every time, we've captured photos outdoors after donning the kimono and performing the tea ceremony. Your behavior has been quite discourteous. I now regret ever discussing your business, showing concern for it, and aspiring for it to gain more recognition. My kindness and respect towards you are no longer warranted. ——————

past review: We had a wonderful time making Japanese traditional sweets called wagashi with the family. It includes drinking tea, but we didn't expect to drink it from the antique cups that are normally only exhibited in museums.

It was also a wonderful and very personal experience to rent a kimono. They really took care of me (and my boyfriend) and we even learned some kimono manners/etiquette, such as how to put your hands on your lap when you sit seiza-style, how to properly walk in a kimono etc.. We were also able to have our photos taken from the tea room and the changing room which have Japanese style designs. I highly...

There's nowhere like YUKA・AN the 2fl of Gallery Okubo in Tokyo where you can enjoy the finest matcha green tea served by elegant master teacher in the precious antique cup which is worth of thousands of dollars - it served with Japanese sweets and only 1000 yen! On Thursdays Saturdays and Sundays - Nadeshiko experience is available for tourists - they can enjoy wearing Yukata / Kimono, enjoy green tea ceremony with Japanese sweets and even learn Japanese rice roll cooking Makizushi and Inarizushi followed by learning Japanese calligraphy (10:30-15:00 - you can wear Yukata or Kimono and walk around Yanaka and return Yukata or Kimono by 16:00 - 12,000 yen is good value as a package. Highly recommend this place. Full of good...