Theatrical Film (2006) starring Satomi Kobayashi as Sachie, directed by Naoko Ogigami, 7.2/10 IMDb — Critically warm.
Kamome Diner (かもめ食堂) is the theatrical film Satomi Kobayashi appeared in during 2006,
directed by Naoko Ogigami, and a marker of the slow-cinema breakthrough that defined her international identity — year 24 of her on-screen career.
Kamome Diner in the Filmography
Kamome Diner is
credit #25 of 56 in the chronological filmography, released 24 years after Satomi Kobayashi’s 1982 debut and 19 years before her most recent 2025 credit. It is the only theatrical film she released in 2006.
| Chronological position | credit #25 of 56 |
|---|---|
| Theatrical Film rank | #11 of 23 in this format |
| 2000s position | #6 of 15 in the 2000s |
| Age at release | 41 years (born 1965) |
| 2006 output | 3 credits (this title plus 2 other) |
| Comedy genre peer set | 14 credits share this genre tag |
| Drama genre peer set | 37 credits share this genre tag |
| Previous credit | Fukigen na jiin (2005) — 1 year earlier |
| Following credit | Kami wa saikoro wo furanai: Kimi wo wasurenai (2006) — 0 years later |
| IMDb identifier | tt0483022 |
The Role — Sachie
The Character
Sachie
In Kamome Diner, Kobayashi inhabits Sachie — a role calibrated to the slow-cinema breakthrough that defined her international identity. The performance carries the restraint and observational stillness that has come to define her later filmography.
Original Japanese Titling
| Japanese title | かもめ食堂 |
|---|---|
| English release title | Kamome Diner |
Genre Footprint
The film is catalogued under Comedy, Drama on IMDb — placing it among critically warm entries in Kobayashi’s filmography.
Drama
The Production
Format & Vital Statistics
| Format | Theatrical Film |
|---|---|
| Year | 2006 · 2000s |
| Runtime | 1h 42m |
| IMDb rating | 7.2 / 10 |
| Votes | 3,022 |
Director: Naoko Ogigami
Naoko Ogigami directs Kobayashi here — one of 3 documented collaborations between the actress and this filmmaker.
Recognition for This Title
Mainichi Film Concours
Best Actress · 2007
Yokohama Film Festival
Best Actress · 2007
In the Career Arc
Position in a 44-Year Career
Released in 2006, this theatrical film sits in the slow-cinema breakthrough that defined her international identity, year 24 after Kobayashi’s 1982 debut in I Are You, You Am Me.
Critical Position vs Career Median
The 7.2/10 IMDb score (from 3,022 votes) lands
+0.4 above
her career median of 6.8. Reception band: Critically warm.
Other Kobayashi Releases in 2006
- Kami wa saikoro wo furanai: Kimi wo wasurenai — TV Series
- Dare yori mo mama wo aisu — TV Series
Full Catalogue Record
Synopsis
Where are we welcome? On a quiet street in Helsinki, Sachie has opened a diner featuring rice balls. For a month she has no customers. Then, in short order, she has her first customer, meets Midori, a gangly Japanese tourist, and invites her to stay with her, and meets Masako, a formal and ethereal middle-aged woman whose luggage has gone missing. The three women work in the diner, interact, and serve customers. A somewhat brusque man teaches Sachie to make delicious coffee, then he returns under other circumstances. Three neighborhood women inspect the empty diner every day; will anything bring them inside? The number of customers gradually increases, but the diner seems to attract only those with problems. Conversation with Sachie and the tasty food seem to resolve people's woes. We learn why Sachie serves rice balls; but why Finland?
Production & Billing
| Country of origin | Japan |
|---|---|
| Original language | JA |
| Cast billing position | #1 (lead/principal) |
| Credited as | actress |
Regional Release Titles (17)
| Region | Title | Language | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU | Kamome Diner | imdbDisplay | |
| BR | Restaurante Gaivota | imdbDisplay | |
| CA | Kamome Diner | EN | imdbDisplay |
| DE | Kamome Diner | imdbDisplay | |
| FI | Matbar Måsen | SV | |
| FI | Ruokala Lokki | imdbDisplay | |
| GB | Kamome Diner | imdbDisplay | |
| IE | Kamome Diner | EN | imdbDisplay |
| IN | Kamome Diner | EN | imdbDisplay |
| JP | かもめ食堂 | JA | imdbDisplay |
| NZ | Kamome Diner | EN | imdbDisplay |
| PL | Jadłodajnia pod Mewą | imdbDisplay | |
| RU | Камомэ | imdbDisplay | |
| TW | 海鷗食堂 | imdbDisplay | |
| US | Kamome Diner | imdbDisplay | |
| US | Seagull Diner | alternative | |
| ZA | Kamome Diner | EN | imdbDisplay |
Cinematic Keywords
About Kamome Diner
What role does Satomi Kobayashi play in Kamome Diner?
Satomi Kobayashi plays Sachie in Kamome Diner (2006), a theatrical film directed by Naoko Ogigami.
How is Kamome Diner rated on IMDb?
Kamome Diner holds an IMDb score of 7.2/10 from 3,022 votes — +0.4 above Satomi Kobayashi's career median of 6.8.
What is the original Japanese title of Kamome Diner?
The original Japanese title is かもめ食堂, released in 2006.
How long is Kamome Diner?
Kamome Diner runs 1h 42m.
