The Footman — FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (the Footman experience)

Sizes, duration, what to bring, keepsakes, prices

Queen's Butler — Definition

About Frequently Asked Questions (the Footman experience)

These frequently asked questions about the Footman experience gather the points most often unclear before booking: attire and sizes, the content of the three hours, what to bring on the day, photographs, keepsakes, prices and gifts, answered by our butlers. Both men and women may take part, and our butlers include both men and women.

First, check the attire sizes and the three-hour sequenceBefore booking

First visit

Can I experience a butler's deportment even as a complete beginner?

The Footman experience is three hours at Queen's Butler in a full morning coat ensemble, touching on seven elements regardless of any prior experience of etiquette. One butler stays at your side and, rather than cramming posture and hand positions all at once, speaks to what is needed in each scene as it arises.

It begins with a bow at the double doors and dressing in the wardrobe. From there to deportment, bowing, making tea, handling silver and serving, then a commemorative photograph in the Manor and the presentation of a keepsake, before the butler sees you off.

It is not a course leading to a qualification or certificate. Please enjoy it as an experience of feeling, with your own hands and steps, how attire and deportment come together, kept in photographs and a keepsake.

What is the Footman experience?

An apprentice butler bowing with composed posture

Wardrobe

How much attire is provided, and in what sizes?

In the dining room, five apprentices of all ages in morning coats practise bowing after the butler

Men

Men's attire for heights of around 160 to 185cm

As a guide, men's attire covers heights of around 160 to 185cm, in standard and broader builds. Even under 170cm, the range begins at around 160cm.

Women

Women's attire for heights of around 150 to 160cm

Women are welcome to take part. We keep smaller sizes for women, and Queen's Butler, a general incorporated association, has female butlers among its number.

Fitting the white gloves that form part of the attire

Shoes

Shoes from 24.0 to 27.5cm

Leather shoes are available from 24.0 to 27.5cm as a guide. The full ensemble is provided, from coat, waistcoat, shirt and tie to white gloves, shoes and top hat, and sizes are always confirmed in advance.

Sizes

Can I see the size guide at a glance?

In the dining room, a female apprentice in her sixties pours tea from a silver pot, the butler's hand guiding hers

Item	Guide	What to tell us at booking
Men's	Height around 160 to 185cm	Height and build
Women's	Height around 150 to 160cm	Height and build
Shoes	24.0 to 27.5cm	Your usual shoe size
Outside the guide	Confirmed individually	Please ask us about anything outside the above
Two or more guests	Stock confirmed individually	Height, build and shoe size for everyone

The availability of attire depends on the combination of sizes. On the form, please always give your height, build and shoe size.

Three hours

In what order do the three hours proceed?

In the dining room, a family of grandmother, father, mother and daughter in morning coats pose for a commemorative photograph

Arrival

A butler welcomes you at the Manor at 2-7-4 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo and bows before the double doors. The Manor is never left unattended; a butler is always in the house.

Dressing

We prepare the morning coat ensemble to the sizes given in advance. The attire is a complete ensemble, from coat to white gloves, shoes and top hat.

Deportment

Deportment, bowing, making tea, handling silver and serving. The butler demonstrates and speaks to you at each stage of the movement.

Commemorative photograph

In a scene within the Manor, the butler takes your own smartphone and presses the shutter. For a photograph beside the butler, we confirm that butler's consent.

Keepsake

The butler presents one item, such as a pocket watch. Receiving it with both hands and exchanging a bow is the close of the three hours.

What to bring and prepare for the day

As the full ensemble is provided, you may generally come empty-handed.
In warmer seasons, an undershirt beneath the shirt is more comfortable.
If you would like a commemorative photograph, please bring your own smartphone.
Please give your height, build and shoe size accurately at booking, not on the day.
On rainy days the experience proceeds within the Manor. The butler takes wet coats and umbrellas at the entrance.

What the Manor does not do

We do not serve meals. You are welcome to bring your own food and drink.
We never leave the Manor unattended. A butler accompanies you throughout the three hours.
The attire is changed out of at the Manor after the experience and is not for taking home.

In the study, the butler shows a female apprentice in her fifties the posture for writing a letter with a fountain pen

Answers

What you may wish to know first about photographs, keepsakes and companions

Can I take photographs?	Yes. In a scene within the Manor, the butler presses the shutter on your own smartphone. A photograph beside the butler is taken with that butler's consent.
What is the keepsake?	One item, such as a pocket watch. The butler presents it at the close of the experience and guides you through receiving it and the exchange of bows.
May a companion come in?	For companions who wish to watch, we need to confirm numbers and how the Manor is running on the day. Please tell a butler the number of guests before booking.
May I use my own shoes or shirt?	The full ensemble is provided. If you wish to use your own black leather shoes or white wing-collar shirt, we confirm suitability in advance, so please send a photograph and the size.
Is the butler a man or a woman?	Our butlers include both men and women. We take any preference on the form and reply once we have checked the situation.
Can I gain a butler's qualification?	The experience does not lead to a qualification or certificate. It is time spent in the attire, with a butler at your side, touching on seven elements within the Manor.

Gift

What should I check when booking as a gift?

In the wardrobe, the butler adjusts the collar and white gloves of a male apprentice in his fifties while a young female apprentice waits holding a top hat

Size

The recipient's sizes

Booking as a gift means the giver begins the booking enquiry after confirming the height, build and shoe size of the person who will take part. Size information is essential to securing the attire.

Surprise

How much to keep secret

Even if you wish to keep the experience itself a surprise, please confirm height, build and shoe size with the recipient.

In the dining room, a mother and son apprentice lay out silver and porcelain in the order the butler indicates

Day

Giving the whole day

You give not only the attire but the bow at the door, the deportment, the photograph and the keepsake as one continuous three hours. So that the recipient feels at ease, please also tell us to whom the confirmation details should be sent.

QMay women take part?

Yes. Women's attire is kept for heights of around 150 to 160cm as a guide. Queen's Butler, a general incorporated association, has female butlers, and we take any preference as to the accompanying butler.

QMay I ask even if I fall outside the size guide?

Yes. Men's around 160 to 185cm, women's around 150 to 160cm and shoes 24.0 to 27.5cm are guides only. For anything outside these, please ask, giving your height, build and shoe size.

QHow long does it take, and what does it involve?

Three hours, including dressing. One Queen's Butler butler accompanies you through seven elements: deportment, bowing, making tea, handling silver, serving, a commemorative photograph and a keepsake.

QWhat should I bring?

As the full ensemble is provided, you may generally come empty-handed. Bring a smartphone if you would like photographs, and in warmer seasons an undershirt beneath the shirt is more comfortable.

QWhat does the price include?

¥49,800 per person (tax included) for three hours. It includes the full ensemble, one accompanying butler, the seven elements, a commemorative photograph in the Manor and one keepsake, such as a pocket watch.

QMay two of us take part?

For two or more guests, please see the plans for pairs and families. Please give everyone's height, build and shoe size, together with your preferred dates, on the form.