Obituary of Rumi Takahashi

November 15, 2025

Rumi Takahashi entered into rest on November 15, 2025.

 Originally from Kyoto, Japan, Rumi was the eldest daughter of Tokuo Kitamura and Kikue Okada.

 Her early life was steeped in traditional culture, where she cultivated a love for the arts, including training in the elegant disciplines of Nihon Buyō (traditional dance) and the Koto string instrument. She completed her studies at Kyoto Women’s University, earning a bachelor’s degree in French literature.

Rumi relocated to New York in the 1970s and later married the late Yoshikazu Takahashi. Together, they established themselves as humble figures in the city’s early Japanese culinary scene, successfully operating two authentic Japanese restaurants: Tamura and Kikusui.

Known for her formidable character and warm wit, Rumi embraced life with a sense of deep contentment, living by her personal motto: "Jinsei wa tanoshimanakucha" (You gotta enjoy your life).

She leaves a loving legacy carried on by her son, daughter-in-law, and three cherished grandchildren, residing in Brooklyn, New York.

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