Kyoto sightseeing kimono rental shop

Whenever I travel in Kyoto, I always rent a kimono and enjoy walking around the old historical places.
I am Japanese, but there are few Japanese people who own a kimono and can wear it by themselves, so kimono rental is very popular among Japanese as well.

This time, I will introduce what type of rental kimono is the best and what kimono rental is like. When you finish reading this post, you will definitely want to try kimono!

Location for walking around in kimono

First, I would recommend the Gion/Higashiyama area as the best place to rent a kimono and explore the sites of Kyoto.
In this area, there are many sightseeing spots that are great for photos such as Yasaka Shrine, Yasaka Pagoda, Yasaka Koshindo and Gion as well as many restaurants and cafes, making it an area where you can enjoy walking around the city. Also, walking around in kimono and zori(kimono sandals) can be tiring, which is why I recommend this area.

Fushimi Inari shrine is a very beautiful spot, but it is NOT recommended for first-time kimono wearers as the steps and slopes are steep.

Types of kimono

Summer (June to September)

There are various types of kimonos that you can rent, but I recommend wearing a yukata in the summer (around June to September). Summer in Kyoto is very hot and humid, so it’s best to stay cool in a yukata.
At following shops that I would like to introduce, you can rent a yukata, obi(kimono belt), bag, and geta(sandals) as a set.

Autumn to Spring (October to May)

Kimono is recommended except midsummer. Kimono has multiple layers, so you can stay warm even in winter.
At following shops, you can get a set of kimono, obi(kimono belt), bag, tabi(socks), and zori(kimono shoes). The socks are a gift, so you can take them home with you.
Everything you need to wear a kimono is included in the rental plan, so you don’t need to bring anything.
The kimono rental fee varies depending on the pattern and material of the kimono. It is convenient to reserve the cheapest plan first, and change the plan if you find a kimono you would like to wear at shop.

Time required

It takes 20 minutes to choose a kimono, 20 minutes to change into it, and 20 minutes to set your hair (if necessary).
At the kimono shop, there are staff who will help you put on the kimono. They are very skilled so you can quickly put on your kimono. For kimonos and yukatas, up-style hair is the standard, so I always ask for a hair set.
In addition, they will keep your clothes and bag at the shop. After changing into kimono, you can walk around city and have fun before the shop closes. There is also a plan for returning the next day.

Recommended kimono rental shop

First of all, if you would like to rent a kimono in Kyoto, make a reservation in advance before visiting a kimono rental store. Rental Kimono is very popular, and in many cases you cannot rent a kimono without making a reservation. You can also get a discount if you book online in advance.

Yumeyakata(夢館)

My most recommended shop is the Yumeyakata Gojo store.
This one is a long-established kimono shop in Kyoto and is the largest shop in Kyoto with 6 floors. There are 30,000 kimonos, so you can definitely find your favorite here.
In addition, there are many kimonos that you can choose from with the cheapest standard plan. Kimono sizes are available up to 180cm for women and 185cm for men, with wide sizes also being available.
For children, there are kimonos and yukatas from 100cm.
You can book through Klook or their official website. Klook has more than 4,000 reviews. You should take a look!

Wakana(和香菜)

Wakana is located a 1-minute walk from Yasaka Shrine. Perfect place for sightseeing!
The shop is not very big, but their strength is that you can rent very authentic kimonos such as Kyo-Yuzen and Nishijin-ori. If you want to rent high quality kimono, I highly recommend this shop.
This shop also includes everything you need for a kimono in the plan.

Walking around in kimono

This time, we rented kimonos at Wakana. This kimono made of silk is very elegant, and the belt has a traditional pattern. It was comfortable to wear.
After renting a kimono, we took a walk in the Higashiyama area.
We took pictures at Yasaka Pagoda and Yasaka shrine, had lunch, and had a fun day.

Of course, you can rent kimonos in other areas of Japan, such as Tokyo. However, Kyoto’s historical streets match well with kimonos, and there are many photo spots, so it’s best to wear kimonos in Kyoto. You should try it!