A Warm Welcome to Lovers of Japanese Culture

Hello, and thank you for visiting. My name is Satomi, the manager here at Oh! Mama.
Let me share a little story about how I came to open this small cultural salon in Tokyo.

■ A Childhood Memory That Stayed with Me

When I was about ten, I traveled overseas for the first time to Walt Disney World in Florida.
I remember running through the park, falling, and being approached by a friendly staff member. She said something kindly, probably, “Are you okay?” But I didn’t understand a single word of English. I just ran back to my family, heart pounding.

Ever since then, I’ve carried a quiet wish in my heart: “I wish I had been able to say something.”

In junior high school, I started learning English, but even then, I felt a little intimidated. I still remember freezing up when asked to read the letter “g” aloud in class. Everyone was watching. My hands were sweaty. That moment stayed with me and for some time, English was scary for me.

■ Learning to Appreciate My Own Culture

In high school, I attended an international program and had pen pals overseas.
It was exciting, but I realized I didn’t know how to explain my own culture. That realization led me to join the Sado (tea ceremony) club. And that changed everything.

Through tea, I discovered the beauty of hospitality and simplicity.
My teacher was a gentle tea master, and even after I graduated, I continued learning from her. At the same time, I explored many things such as dance, language, international exchange.

■ After Many Moves, I Found My Place

After university, I worked in a city office, got married, and moved again for my husband’s job.
At one point, I worked for Toyota, where a senior colleague guided foreign visitors around the office and the factories. He looked so happy doing it. That inspired me to pursue the national license as a certified tour guide in English.

Years and a few moves later, I returned to Tokyo, raised a child, and worked part-time for a co-op and a university. Then came an incredible opportunity: a relative offered to me lend their traditional Japanese house in Tokyo.
It has a roof tile gate, tatami rooms, and even an irori hearth, which is rare in the central Tokyo now. That’s when I realized:

This is the place I’ve been looking for!!!

■ A Space to Experience the Heart of Japan

Here, I opened a small cultural salon, offering authentic Shodo (calligraphy) and Sado (tea ceremony) experiences.
Calligraphy is something almost everyone in Japan learns in school, while tea ceremony, even among Japanese, is often unfamiliar on a deeper level. I wanted to create a place where people would enjoy both in a peaceful and personal atmosphere.

Since opening, I’ve had the joy of welcoming guests from 14 different countries.
Each encounter is supremely precious to me.

■ I’m So Glad You’re Here

If you’re a lover of Japan, or someone who enjoys kimono, sips matcha at home, and finds beauty in Japanese arts, then this is the place for you.

Even if you’re unsure how to bow, or speak Japanese, that’s perfectly okay.
You’re already welcome.

I hope this experience becomes one of the most meaningful memories of your journey in Japan.
And I hope you’ll leave thinking,
“I want to come back.”

I look forward to meeting you.