How and where to rent kimono in Kyoto and tokyo
Kimono cosplayers make everyone happy especiallythe Japanese. Visitors who don't dress up are almost as pleased as those who do, since they get to pose for their own snaps with these gorgeous groups and individuals – and for far less effort.
Kyoto, Tokyo ad also Kamakura had embraced the trend and kimono-salons are popping up all over tourist areas.
This is not a 'costume event'. The shops turn out their customers in kimono just as the Japanese wear them. Every nip, tuck, knot and bow in place. That means if you choose to do this, you should be aware that although men's kimono are supremely comfortable, women's kimono are tight. Looking beautiful in kimono is all about taking small steps and shallow breaths, ladies! And believe me, wearing Japanese Zori sandals is nothing like flip-flops. So be warned.
KYOTO: (You can also read the full article on Huff Post)
The streets, temples and shrines of magnificent Kyoto are once again full of kimono-clad beauties and dashing men in traditional wear and it’s all thanks to tourists.
A few entrepreneurial Japanese came up with the idea that visitors - both foreign and Japanese - might enjoy dressing in elegant kimonos while touring the famous sites of this ancient city for frame-worthy photo-ops. The idea of Kimono CosPlay (costume play) took off like wildfire.
Some of the biggest customers of Kimono CosPlay are visitors from Asia, especially Korea and China. Japanese young women have enthusiastically embraced the trend as well since most have only a rudimentary knowledge of the complexities of kimono dressing. Europeans, Americans, and every nationality in between are giving kimono a try.
No one has a higher service esthetic than the Japanese. The dressers are hyper aware this is the traditional costume of their country and they must do it proud no matter who wears it. Every knot and bow and tuck are perfectly placed.
The percentage of Japanese women wearing kimono has fallen dramatically. Beyond special festival days and celebrations, it is increasingly rare to see women mincing along in these beautiful creations. And actually, who can blame them? Women’s kimonos are tight and constricting compared to modern clothes and real split-toed wedge sandals are nothing like flip-flops.
Prices start for as little as 3000 yen and go up to around 10,000 for a package including hair and make-up. Kimonos can be rented for a few hours or a full day. Many shops have websites, but you can also find them along the famous Gion shopping street and around the foot of Kiyomizu Temple hill.
The trend is a win-win for Kyoto. Visitors wearing kimono love snapping pictures of themselves at famous locations; other visitors love taking photos of people in kimono at these places; and the Japanese love the fact the streets of Kyoto are once again full of men and women in kimono.
To get you started, here are a couple of bi-lingual websites to check out: Kyokomachi, Rental Kimono Rose.
To search for yourself, try: kimono rental Kyoto
The streets, temples and shrines of magnificent Kyoto are once again full of kimono-clad beauties and dashing men in traditional wear and it’s all thanks to tourists.
A few entrepreneurial Japanese came up with the idea that visitors - both foreign and Japanese - might enjoy dressing in elegant kimonos while touring the famous sites of this ancient city for frame-worthy photo-ops. The idea of Kimono CosPlay (costume play) took off like wildfire.
Some of the biggest customers of Kimono CosPlay are visitors from Asia, especially Korea and China. Japanese young women have enthusiastically embraced the trend as well since most have only a rudimentary knowledge of the complexities of kimono dressing. Europeans, Americans, and every nationality in between are giving kimono a try.
No one has a higher service esthetic than the Japanese. The dressers are hyper aware this is the traditional costume of their country and they must do it proud no matter who wears it. Every knot and bow and tuck are perfectly placed.
The percentage of Japanese women wearing kimono has fallen dramatically. Beyond special festival days and celebrations, it is increasingly rare to see women mincing along in these beautiful creations. And actually, who can blame them? Women’s kimonos are tight and constricting compared to modern clothes and real split-toed wedge sandals are nothing like flip-flops.
Prices start for as little as 3000 yen and go up to around 10,000 for a package including hair and make-up. Kimonos can be rented for a few hours or a full day. Many shops have websites, but you can also find them along the famous Gion shopping street and around the foot of Kiyomizu Temple hill.
The trend is a win-win for Kyoto. Visitors wearing kimono love snapping pictures of themselves at famous locations; other visitors love taking photos of people in kimono at these places; and the Japanese love the fact the streets of Kyoto are once again full of men and women in kimono.
To get you started, here are a couple of bi-lingual websites to check out: Kyokomachi, Rental Kimono Rose.
To search for yourself, try: kimono rental Kyoto
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TOKYO:
Kimono cosplay started in Kyoto but has now been enthusiastically embraced by Tokyo. The city may not have as many temples as Kyoto, but there are definitely photo-worthy spots for a kimono adventure.
The easiest place to search is online but shops are sprouting up in side streets around Asakusa. Be aware that most require a reservation since it takes time to properly put on a kimono and, for women, to style their hair. The shops can only dress so many at one time.
Here are links to a few bi-lingual places to give you an idea of pricing and packages (for information purposes only):
Yae Kimono Rental.
http://yae-japan.com/en/ryokin/
Asakusa IZA Kimono Rental.
http://izaiza.jp/en/kimono_asakusa_e/index.html
Kyoto Kimono Rental Wargo (Tokyo branch)
https://kyotokimono-rental.com/en/asakusa/asakusa-access/asakusa
Aki Kimono Rental
https://kr-aki.co.jp/english/
Kimono cosplay started in Kyoto but has now been enthusiastically embraced by Tokyo. The city may not have as many temples as Kyoto, but there are definitely photo-worthy spots for a kimono adventure.
The easiest place to search is online but shops are sprouting up in side streets around Asakusa. Be aware that most require a reservation since it takes time to properly put on a kimono and, for women, to style their hair. The shops can only dress so many at one time.
Here are links to a few bi-lingual places to give you an idea of pricing and packages (for information purposes only):
Yae Kimono Rental.
http://yae-japan.com/en/ryokin/
Asakusa IZA Kimono Rental.
http://izaiza.jp/en/kimono_asakusa_e/index.html
Kyoto Kimono Rental Wargo (Tokyo branch)
https://kyotokimono-rental.com/en/asakusa/asakusa-access/asakusa
Aki Kimono Rental
https://kr-aki.co.jp/english/
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Sample itineraries for tokyo
Start yours either in the Asakusa area and Skytree or at Meiji Shrine in Harajuku. They are on opposite sides of town and it takes about forty minutes by train between the two. If you choose a kimono rental shop in Asakusa and want photos at Meiji Shrine, you will have to make your way across town and vice versa.
Nihobashi, near Tokyo Station, is trying to position itself as a kimono cosplay hotspot. This is a fun area to explore for food and crafts. There are, however, very few places to stop for snaps to make it really worth the time and money.
Kimonos can be rented for a few hours or a full day. You will need at least a couple of hours just for Asakusa, more if you are planning to include Skytree or other places, so keep that in mind.
The best value for your kimono-rental adventure is probably the old downtown shitamachiarea of Asakusa and the colorful temples and shrines clustered near the station.
Begin at Kaminarimon gate.Both sides of the iconic red lantern makes a good shot. Unfortunately, this area is densely packed with tourists most of the day. It can be difficult to get an unobstructed shot of you or your group. Make your kimono reservation for as early in the morning as possible to avoid the worst of the crowds..
Nakamise shops.This crowded, colorful, promenade leading to the temple literally means 'inside shops'. Small stores selling souvenirs and snacks line the approach to the main temple. Stop at the 'Dango' shop for sweetened balls of mochi rice dough on little skewers. It's on your right soon after passing through Kaminarimon. Or grab a snack of Ningyo Yaki,small cakes shaped like animals or folk figures. Both make great props.
Sensoji Temple Grounds:Walk to the next gate, which has its own red lantern and is just as spectacular as Kaminarimon. Stop at the ornate bronze incense burner and then move to the temple stairs. Pose at the bottomof steps, you're not allowed to take photos in front of the altar at the top.
When you've finished that, facing the temple, go to the left and walk toward the trees and a small pond ahead on the left. A stone bridge and carp pond make lovely garden-themed photos.
Asakusa Jinja Shinto Shrine:Walk back to Sensoji and with the temple on your left, keep walking straight ahead. The tall torii gate is the entrance to Sensoji's companion Shinto shrine. Before the Meiji Restoration temples and shrines often shared the same grounds.
Tokyo Skytree:This makes a wonderful old/new Japan contrast. You will probably want to take a taxi rather than the train from Asakusa. Women especially can get fatigued in a kimono and sandals. One is outside in the South Tower. Find Tully's Coffee on the second floor. There's a small bridge connecting it to the main building. Stand there with Skytree at your back.
Meiji Shrine and Harajuku
Meiji Shrine has a quiet, classic elegance about it, very different from bright and noisy Sensoji. The tall torii gates and the main building are the best places to pose. Like Sensoji, you cannot take pictures directly in front of the main altar at the top of the steps. There is a long meandering entrance through the wooded grounds from Harajuku Station to the shrine. If you are wearing traditional Japanese sandals, your feet could get tired.
After Meiji Shrine go back to Harajuku station to Takeshita Dori or walk along Omote Sando boulevard for shots contrasting ultra-fashionable Harajuku with your traditional kimono.
Nihobashi, near Tokyo Station, is trying to position itself as a kimono cosplay hotspot. This is a fun area to explore for food and crafts. There are, however, very few places to stop for snaps to make it really worth the time and money.
Kimonos can be rented for a few hours or a full day. You will need at least a couple of hours just for Asakusa, more if you are planning to include Skytree or other places, so keep that in mind.
The best value for your kimono-rental adventure is probably the old downtown shitamachiarea of Asakusa and the colorful temples and shrines clustered near the station.
Begin at Kaminarimon gate.Both sides of the iconic red lantern makes a good shot. Unfortunately, this area is densely packed with tourists most of the day. It can be difficult to get an unobstructed shot of you or your group. Make your kimono reservation for as early in the morning as possible to avoid the worst of the crowds..
Nakamise shops.This crowded, colorful, promenade leading to the temple literally means 'inside shops'. Small stores selling souvenirs and snacks line the approach to the main temple. Stop at the 'Dango' shop for sweetened balls of mochi rice dough on little skewers. It's on your right soon after passing through Kaminarimon. Or grab a snack of Ningyo Yaki,small cakes shaped like animals or folk figures. Both make great props.
Sensoji Temple Grounds:Walk to the next gate, which has its own red lantern and is just as spectacular as Kaminarimon. Stop at the ornate bronze incense burner and then move to the temple stairs. Pose at the bottomof steps, you're not allowed to take photos in front of the altar at the top.
When you've finished that, facing the temple, go to the left and walk toward the trees and a small pond ahead on the left. A stone bridge and carp pond make lovely garden-themed photos.
Asakusa Jinja Shinto Shrine:Walk back to Sensoji and with the temple on your left, keep walking straight ahead. The tall torii gate is the entrance to Sensoji's companion Shinto shrine. Before the Meiji Restoration temples and shrines often shared the same grounds.
Tokyo Skytree:This makes a wonderful old/new Japan contrast. You will probably want to take a taxi rather than the train from Asakusa. Women especially can get fatigued in a kimono and sandals. One is outside in the South Tower. Find Tully's Coffee on the second floor. There's a small bridge connecting it to the main building. Stand there with Skytree at your back.
Meiji Shrine and Harajuku
Meiji Shrine has a quiet, classic elegance about it, very different from bright and noisy Sensoji. The tall torii gates and the main building are the best places to pose. Like Sensoji, you cannot take pictures directly in front of the main altar at the top of the steps. There is a long meandering entrance through the wooded grounds from Harajuku Station to the shrine. If you are wearing traditional Japanese sandals, your feet could get tired.
After Meiji Shrine go back to Harajuku station to Takeshita Dori or walk along Omote Sando boulevard for shots contrasting ultra-fashionable Harajuku with your traditional kimono.
