One way to learn more about Japanese culture while in Japan is to wear traditional costumes, be it kimono or yukata while strolling historical and picturesque streets. Kyoto would be the perfect place to do it. The kimono rental business is so popular and big here, the whole street is full of kimono rental shops. Just pop into anyone and ask them to transform you into Japanese doll.
Who wears a kimono?
In Japan, Kimono is often worn by a woman for special occasions, such as graduation ceremony, wedding dinner party or during the Seijin Shiki/coming of age day (turns 20 years old.) If you are traveling in January, you may encounter many young Japanese girls wearing the traditional kimono which cost thousands of dollars walking on the streets during their coming of age day which falls on the second Monday of January, also a public holiday.
Difference between Yukata & Kimono
Kimono and Yukata are different in their fabric. Yukata comes in cotton and Kimono comes in silk fabric. Yukata is worn during the summer season but kimono is more for a formal occasion and cost very expensive.
Japanese tradition to own at least one kimono in their life
Some of my Japanese girlfriends I met during my University year has at least one kimono which their parents have started to loan and paying for them since they were born. Why loan? Because Kimono can cost up to 100,000 yen (USD 9036) above or lower. It is a tradition for Japanese parent to present their daughter at least one good set of kimono to wear during their coming of age at 20 years old. After that, the daughter will keep it for wedding occasion, graduation ceremony or other formal occasions. However, the trend has changed recently and many prefer to rent a kimono instead. Buying cost too much and it is a burden to pay loan since the baby girl was born.
Kimono rental
Kimono rental shops are everywhere in Kyoto, especially near Kyomizu dera and Gion area. You can also book online from Klook. My experience with kimono rental is a little shop near Kyomizu dera without any booking, it is an impromptu decision. If you did not book online, just walk into any rental shops and tell them you want a kimono experience. My advice is to go early when the shops just open, that way you have many choices to choose from before other customers make their choice.
How to choose kimono?
When you come to choosing Kimono, do not be afraid of bright colors. Bright colors show best from the kimono style and look very good in photos. There are hundreds of style and patterns, few iconic prints are with cherry blossom print or cranes.
What does it include?
The wearing of kimono is not an easy task, in fact, it is impossible to wear kimono on your own. Usually, you need an assistant to help you to wear the kimono and most women can’t even wear kimono by themselves. This is because there are many steps and few layers of wrapping (just like a mummy wrap). Do remember to go to the toilet first before you start to wear the kimono. It took about 30 mins to wear the kimono and hairdo. After that, you are free to roam to the places you wanted to go and return by the promised time.
Kimono for men
There are also kimonos rental for men, price start at around 3000 yen. The color choices aren’t too many, usually come with blue, grey, maroon and minimal print.
Understanding Furisode Kimono
There are several plans to choose from. The standard plan cost around 3,000 yen (USD 27.11) and the Furisode Plan cost around 10,000 yen (USD 90.35). Standard plan kimono is the usual kimono, not from silk and with short sleeves. Furisode is silk kimono with long sleeves. The long sleeves are the key here. Furisode is formal kimono worn by young unmarried women in Japan, usually worn by girls in the Coming of Age Day when they turn 20.
My kimono is not furisode as you can see the sleeves do not touch the ground. Furisode has sleeves that is long and almost touches the ground.
Kimono Hairdo & Matching Bag
All plan include hairdo. When you wear kimono it is better to have your hair up. It is because kimono is formal wear and the hair should be neat at all time and most importantly, it matches well when your hair is up. There are a number of hairstyles to go with your kimono. You can choose the colorful clips, flowers, and tassels to go with the color of your kimono. If you have a short hairstyle, it can leave it down but still need to tuck a pin with some flowers in your hair to make you look more “kawaii”/cute.
You are free to choose the matching bags. My advice is to choose the brighter color kimono bags.
Japanese Geta 下駄 or Zori
This is the traditional Japanese footwear that looks like clogs and flip-flops. You are given a free pair of socks to go with the geta. You can keep the socks after you return the rental kimono. The special socks have a split between the big toe.
Japanese Obi
Kimono is secured by a belt or sash called obi.
Obi is the key in Kimono, it is a sash or belt. There are many types of obi and many ways of tidying the obi. If you see the obi that are narrower and shorter, there are not for formal. Formal obi are thicker and wider and fancier.
How to walk in kimono?
The key is to walk in mini steps as it will minimize stretching of the fabric and become out of shape. You need to experience it yourself with the mini step, can be very annoying if you wanted to rush to somewhere. You won’t be able to run with kimono for sure.
There are other kimono etiquettes to watch out for when wearing a kimono. It has plenty of restriction I have to admit.
Do and Don’t
- Do not rub the obi belt against the back of the seat and cause the mess when you are sitting down. You can only sit straight and closer to the edge of the chair but not touching.
- Do not raise your arm high up as it will show the bare arms. Instead, raise your hand up to the wrist and no further.
- Do not open your mouth wide and laugh loudly, instead smile with lip closed.
- Do not have too big of action, every action and movement has to be demure and subtle.
- Do store your handkerchief or tissue in the sleeves of kimono. These are the hidden storage space for small and light items.
Final thoughts:
My experience of walking on the Kyoto streets in kimono was a memorable and fun one. I can totally understand why the Japanese behave in a certain way. I felt a lot of restriction in kimono wearing experience and lack of freedom. It is so tight and I could hardly drink, eat and breathe. Having said that, renting a kimono is still highly recommended.
26 comments
I didn’t know all of the tradition and restrictions that went with wearing a kimono. This was definitely an interesting read, thanks for sharing!
Dear Nicole,
When you are in kimono, you can hardly breathe, drink and eat.
What a unique experience. I have seen and heard of kimonos but didn’t realize how restricting they are. Great read!
The traditional kimono has few layers to wrap you up and the obi belt can be very tight. It certainly looks very pretty but not sure I can wear it the whole day.
Wow I had no idea there was such much to know about kimonos! They really are so beautiful though so how fun to experience wearing one once 🙂
Dear Shar,
The kimono is really so cute and pretty especially I like the vibrant color one with all the floral and animal print.
I have always thought kimonos to be something special. They’re gorgeous, vibrant and stunning!
Dear Gigi,
I totally agree kimono is so unique and fun to look at especially those with bright colors. There are also plain and dull colors for funeral.
This was a very informative article for me! I never knew kimonos originated in Japan and are traditional attire. When I think kimono, I think about the trendy open sweaters that are circulating around the US, I can see a little bit of the resemblance (flowy sleeve, silk material) but not much since a true kimono is a full outfit!
Dear Tisha,
Kimono is originated from Japan but it is actually copied the style from China during the Tang’s dynasty. I know the latest kimono outfit you talked about, people usually wear it open which can be quite cool and relax. I have one of them too but not the same feeling compared to the real kimono. 🙂
I absolutely love this article, I have watched anime for a long time and have always admired real komonos.
Great article to understand the full history of the kimono. Thanks for sharing
I have always wondered about this. Great tips, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing some useful information about kimono. I love such blogs
I love how you detailed you were in sharing the process of kimono dressing and the etiquette that comes along with it. Wearing a kimono in Kyoto is like stepping into a pair of Japan’s cultural shoes and walking around in them to learn more about Japanese tradition. Thank you for sharing!
Dear Mia,
You are totally right. If you asked which is the best city to try out kimono, I have to say Kyoto is the perfect location to wear kimono and stroll around in this ancient city.
I thought kimonos were only worn for special occasions. It was fascinating that this wasn’t the case and how much the Japanese love to share their culture with everyone.
Dear Vivienne,
You are right, kimono were worn in the formal occasion, such as wedding, formal party, graduation ceremony or funeral (in black). But now the kimono rental business has boomed so fast and so good especially in Kyoto, as visitors around the globe all wanted to try out this beautiful outfit and walk around in this ancient city.
Loving all the colorful pictures. I had no idea that there was something similar to a Kimono called Yukata. I have learning something new today.
Dear Silvia,
The yukata is not made from silk and wear during summer, especially during the summer festivals. And socks were not needed when you wear a yukata.
What a unique experience. I can see how it would make you feel so different and help you appreciate the beauty of the kimono.
Dear Cindy,
It is a unique experience to appreciate the Japanese culture, I highly recommend anyone who visits Japan should try out kimono at least once.
Interesting post – some great tips and advice here! I will definitely have to take some of this on board if I ever think about booking a kimono for an event x
Great post and this will be a great experience. Thanks for sharing this post.
Nowdays that ownership of traditional dress like kimono is more expensive. So renting it is more practical and saves money for other noticrs.
Dear Blair,
You are so right, I see no point to own a kimono as it cost so much, some can cost up to 1,000,000 yen (USD 8-9k). My Japanese school mates told me her parents help to pay their kimono by loan since she was born. It was like a gift for her so that they can wear when she is at her coming of age at 20 years old. Then she can keep it and wear for other formal occasions, such as wedding or graduation ceremony. I would prefer to just rent one as even you own a kimono, you still need to hire someone who knows how to dress you up, especially tying the obi belt, it is not easy. It has so many ways of tying an obi belt.