What started as a kimono day out ended with police for Indian tours in Japan

A delay in returning rented kimonos led to police being called on Indian tours in Japan. Ashika Jain, a Mumbai-based content creator, detailed what happened to her in an Instagram video shared one day ago.Cops were called on a group of Indian tours in Japan (Instagram/@ashikajain21)“Bhaisahaab Japan ki police literally hume pakadne aa gayi (Police in Japan came to arrest us),” she said in the clip. “And it all started because I decided to wear a kimono that day.”The kimono rowJapan has several shops where tours can rent a traditional kimono for a few hours, get dressed and walk around the neighbourhood. Jain and her group visited one such kimono rental place and got dressed in the traditional Japanese garment.(Also read: Tours cut line at Japan’s Hachiko statue, viral video draws anti-India comments)The whole thing started normally enough, with the Mumbai-based content creator praising the variety of kimonos at the shop and the staff’s helpfulness in guiding them.After getting dressed, the Indian tours visited a few tour destinations and took pictures. “We were just walking, posing, laughing non-stop,” she said.However, trouble started because Jain and her fellow travellers were late in returning the rented kimonos. “We were supposed to return everything 5 pm. Hum late ho gaye (We were late),” she said.Police called on Indian toursAshika Jain explained that the kimono shop had a late fee of 1100 yen ( ₹646) per person for every 30 minutes they were delayed. “We were five people and 37 minutes late,” she said.Not keen on paying the entire late fee, which would have come to 2200 yen per person, Jain tried to negotiate. She asked the shop owners to consider only the first half hour. However, the language barrier complicated things, with the shop owner assuming they were refusing to pay.“I was just asking them to consider only the first half an hour. But, because of the language barrier, she thought I am refusing to pay, and she called the police!” the tour explained.Japan Police officers reached the kimono rental shop and calmly lened to both sides. While the misunderstanding was resolved, Jain and her group of four others still had to pay the entire late fee.“Police ne calmly suna… par discount zero diya,” she said. “But that’s Japan. Rules are strict,” Jain conceded.(Also read: Indian man marvels at Japan’s clear air, spots Mount Fuji from 200 km away: ‘Delhi mein 10 metre door bhi nahi dikhta’)Internet weighs inThe video drew mixed reactions online after it made its way from Instagram to X. Some people criticised the group of Indian tours for refusing to pay promptly.“Please don’t do this really. If you’re late in getting back respectfully pay the fines. Don’t bargain please. The Police had to intervene and then too they’re like we got no discount,” one X user wrote.“Don’t make travel tough for people who are respectful to norms,” another said.Some said the incident would reflect badly on all Indians in the future. “Next time they would be wary lending to Indians, another incident and they’ll probably stop lending to Indian tours. This is how it starts,” an Instagram user commented under the video.