The Passion of the Rental Kimono Okamoto Staff～ Creating Memories That Last in Our Guests’ Hearts ～

We always stand on the floor with this question in mind, facing it sincerely.
“What we can do for our guests”
That is something we can only deliver when we provide heartfelt omotenashi—Japanese hospitality that truly brings joy.
To deliver better service and warmer hospitality, we treasure each day, facing both our guests and ourselves, always moving forward.
So that our guests can visit us with peace of mind, we would like to share a little bit of what our staff work on each day.

The first thing we can do for our guests is preparation, so they can spend their time comfortably.
Every morning before opening hours, we hold a morning assembly. This helps us face our guests with focus and sincerity once they arrive.
At the assembly, each store values its originality while sharing announcements and information. We confirm details to ensure smooth service and also check our appearance thoroughly.
Then, with the recitation of the “Seven Okamoto Customer Service Phrases”, we adjust our smiles and tone of voice, preparing to welcome our guests from the very start of the day.
The morning assembly is not just about sharing information—it is a time to reset our mindset. With gratitude in our hearts, we reaffirm the importance of treating each guest with care so we can provide service that truly satisfies.

After guests arrive, we carefully assist them with kimono selection, hair styling, and dressing. During spare moments, we always clean the store.
Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have implemented thorough infection prevention measures.
It is not only about providing dressing and hairstyling—it is about valuing our guests themselves and ensuring their safety with the utmost care.
When our guests return, we welcome them back with a warm “Okaeriyasu” (“Welcome back”).
Hearing comments like “It was so much fun!”, “It wasn’t uncomfortable at all!”, or “My hairstyle was the cutest!” and seeing their happy faces after enjoying Kyoto is what makes us feel relieved and truly happy every single time.
At the end of the day, we hold a closing assembly. We share notes for the next day, what guests enjoyed, and what challenges we faced, so we can improve tomorrow.
A fulfilling day flies by, and our hearts are fully recharged to 100%!
Through this daily flow, we communicate closely with each other, creating many opportunities to share guests’ feelings and feedback.
This allows us to build a strong foundation to always capture:
“What can we do for our guests?”
“What are our guests looking for?”

The second thing we can do for our guests is preparing beautiful, well-maintained kimono.
The kimono that our guests actually wear are lovingly maintained by our staff.
To ensure guests can enjoy them in the best condition, we carry out daily cleaning and care with dedication.
Even if a seam loosens or fabric tears, Okamoto has skilled staff trained in both Japanese and Western sewing techniques, so there is no need to worry.
We are always prepared to respond to any unexpected situations, ensuring guests can wear their kimono with peace of mind.

The third thing we can do for our guests is the ability to meet any kind of need.
Okamoto is constantly creating the latest trends.
For example, our popular “DECOCO Plan”, which incorporates lace and other fashionable elements, features many original accessories exclusive to Okamoto.
From cute arm covers and brooches to traditional glass bead (tonbo-dama) obi decorations and elegant lace ornaments, we always prepare items that can satisfy a wide variety of guests.
We don’t just follow trends—we create them.
With this mindset, we face kimono every day with creativity and thought.
Even though our items are handmade, they are top-quality, adorable pieces that make you feel excited, just like when you walk into a boutique.

We create numerous adorable accessories unique to Okamoto, including obi decorations featuring antique brooches, one-of-a-kind lace arm covers, hair ornaments, and obi decorations.

The fourth thing we can do for our guests is service built on reliable skills.
At Okamoto, we conduct regular training sessions and skill tests every month.
As professional kimono dressers and hairstylists, we train to provide service that is not only beautiful and precise but also quick.
Some staff even practice before morning assembly or after their shift.
This is never forced—our team is full of people who love dressing and hairstyling, and whose motivation comes from making guests happy.
Because of that, they enjoy working hard to refine their techniques.
During practice, we actively exchange opinions so we can provide flawless techniques to our guests.
“Neat and speedy” is a given. By adding continuous practice, we go beyond simply dressing or styling hair—we aim to provide personalized service that matches each individual guest.
It’s not “finished once you can dress or style hair.” We always look ahead, improving our techniques further.
Body shapes, hair textures, concerns, and worries—being sensitive to all of these comes only with true technical expertise.
With this, we can anticipate guests’ needs and provide services that bring genuine satisfaction.

The final thing we can do for our guests is developing the ability to stay close to them.
For our guests, their visit to Okamoto is a once-in-a-lifetime precious experience—this one day, this one moment, this one encounter.
We value each moment deeply, cherishing the Japanese spirit of ichigo ichie—treasuring every encounter as if it were once in a lifetime.
We think carefully about how each guest is visiting us. From the smallest hints, we try to walk closer to their hearts.
Whether it’s a surprise marriage proposal, a honeymoon, a birthday celebration, a school trip, a family vacation, a gathering of moms, or sightseeing with friends—
we strive to offer the best kimono advice suited to the occasion.
We hone our ability to sense guests’ preferences, reflect them in coordination, and capture the unspoken atmosphere of what they are seeking.
We constantly train ourselves to develop these invisible but essential skills.
We want to respond to as much as possible.
To achieve that, we keep asking ourselves: What more can we do? What are we missing now?
All of our staff face these questions sincerely, thinking and acting every day.
We treasure each day so we can provide our services with full confidence.

Here are some photos of our staff!
As you can see, our team spans a wide range of ages, with no barriers in hierarchy.
Everyone shares opinions freely, which creates a bright, fun, and welcoming atmosphere.
When our guests say:
“I’m so glad I came to Kyoto.”
“I’m so glad I could wear a kimono.”
“I’m so glad I chose Okamoto.”
—those smiles are truly our source of energy!
We continue to work hard every day so that guests can feel this way, always moving forward toward the future.
Wishing to meet as many smiles as possible, we are always sincerely waiting for your visit.
Our joy lies in doing what we can for our guests, facing it daily, and helping you create lasting memories.
“I wore a kimono and enjoyed Kyoto!”
“It was such a fun trip!”
We hope to make those memories shine even brighter.
What we can do—there is no single answer.
It is about sincerely facing everything, every single day.
Constantly asking “What more can we do?” and putting it into action—
that, we believe, is the right answer.
We are deeply grateful to be able to help you create your memories, and we sincerely look forward to welcoming many more guests in the future.


Author of this Article
Rental Kimono Okamoto Yasaka Shrine Store
301-1 Gion-machi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0073
TEL: 075-532-0510
Website: www.okamoto-kimono.com
Instagram: @rentalkimonookamoto
TikTok: @rentalkimono_okamoto
Facebook: Rental Kimono Okamoto
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