The Best Tokyo Kimono Rental: A Guide to Your Traditional Experience

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When visiting Japan, one of the things I was super excited about was doing a Tokyo Kimono rental and photo session! Spoiler alert: the photos turned out super cute and I’d do it again in a heartbeat! Renting a kimono or yukata can be a delightful and memorable experience, offering a unique way to immerse yourself in Japanese culture. Most kimono rental shops provide a wide range of kimonos and yukatas to choose from, catering to different tastes and preferences. The staff at these shops are usually very helpful and will assist you in selecting the perfect garment for your occasion.

Booking Your Tokyo Kimono Rental

I booked my Tokyo kimono rental and photo session online with YAE Kimono Rental Asakusa Tokyo. Their website is well-designed and has solid English translations (which isn’t always the case with international websites!) The kimono rental fee is clearly laid out in terms of cost and what’s included (6,900 yen for the women’s package). They also offer photo shoots with a professional photographer, which was something that was important to me and I chose to book their 30-minute photo session for an additional fee (16,000 yen), which gives you about 50 unretouched photos and 9 edited photos (of your choice). Photo sessions take place near Sensoji Temple and Asakusa’s Nakamise-dori Street, which are within easy walking distance from the shop, so if you’re looking for more formal studio photographs, you’ll have to look into other options.

The total cost was 22,9000 yen (around $150 with today’s exchange rate).

Once I submitted my booking request through their website, I received an email confirmation (in English) and had to pay a 50% deposit for my photo shoot. They sent me a credit card link to do so along with their policies (late arrival, cancellation, etc) and information. I paid the deposit and they confirmed receipt of my payment. Same-day reservations may be available, but I strongly suggest booking in advance, especially if this is a must-do for you during your trip to Tokyo!

A few days before my appointment and photo shoot, I received an email reminder that contained their address along with Google Maps links for how to get to their shop. Everything was both in English and Japanese. It’s s helpful to have the address in Japanese in case you have trouble finding a place, you can show it to a local for assistance, so providing the address in both languages is very helpful.

Choosing a Kimono Rental Location

When it comes to choosing a kimono rental location, there are several factors to consider to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience. First and foremost, consider the proximity of the kimono rental shop to your accommodations and the attractions you plan to visit. Asakusa is a popular area for kimono rental shops, thanks to its close proximity to famous landmarks such as Sensoji Temple and Nakamise-dori Street. This makes it convenient to rent a kimono and immediately start exploring the beautiful surroundings.

Another crucial factor is the shop’s reputation and reviews. Look for kimono rental shops with high ratings and positive feedback from previous customers. This will give you an idea of the quality of their kimonos and the level of service you can expect. Some well-regarded kimono rental shops in Asakusa include YAE, Hanaka Kimono, and Kimono Koto. By choosing a reputable shop, you can ensure a memorable and hassle-free kimono rental experience.

Understanding Kimono and Yukata

Before renting a kimono or yukata, it’s helpful to understand the differences between these traditional Japanese garments. A kimono is a formal, multi-layered garment typically made of silk, often worn for special occasions such as weddings, tea ceremonies, and other formal events. Kimonos are known for their intricate designs and the cultural significance they hold in Japanese tradition.

On the other hand, a yukata is a more casual, single-layer garment made of cotton or linen, perfect for warmer weather. Yukatas are commonly worn during summer festivals, casual outings, and even as comfortable loungewear. They are lighter and easier to wear compared to kimonos, making them a popular choice for tourists, especially during the hot summer months.

Understanding the cultural significance and appropriate occasions for wearing kimonos and yukatas will enhance your appreciation of these beautiful garments and the traditions they represent.

Picking my Kimono Rental

I woke up on my appointment day and it was pouring! I tried not to let the rain get me down, got ready for the day, and headed to Asakusa for my appointment. I found the kimono rental shop easily as it was close to Asakusa Station, and checked in for my appointment. Like much of Japan, you’ll be asked to remove your shoes when you enter, so don’t be like me and wear socks with holes in them!

Once I was checked in, I was shown the area that had kimonos in my size range and allowed ample time to browse and make my selection. The process of selecting a favorite kimono was so much fun, with numerous styles and colors to choose from. Since I was there in June, I was allowed to choose a Yukata, or a summer kimono. These are lighter weight and more comfortable in the heat.

Once I made my pick, the staff helped me choose accessories. You’ll need to choose a half-width obi belt (this is the wide fabric belt that goes around the waist), a Kazari himo (this is a thin, rope-like belt that goes on top of the half-width Obi), and a handbag. I took my color cues for these items from the colorful pattern of the yukata I chose.

Then it’s time to get dressed! You’ll be given a large tote to store clothes and other things. They’ll keep this at the shop for you, so try to pack light. A team of two dressed me efficiently (holy heck, there are A LOT of layers!) and sent me off to have my hair done.

Over in the hair area, you’re asked to choose a hairstyle out of the book and the stylist was great at suggesting a style that would work well with my thin, fine hair. The hairstyling services enhanced the authenticity and aesthetic of wearing a kimono and honestly, I’m terrible at doing my hair, so it was wonderful to have this service included. You also get to pick out hair accessories (flowers and such) for them to add to the style. The stylist did a great job with my hair—half a can of hairspray and 1,031 hair pins later, and it didn’t move the whole day!

After the hair styling, you’re given a pair of Japanese split-toe socks and get to pick out a pair of wooden Japanese clogs. To be honest, the clogs hurt my feet pretty quickly and were not super comfortable to walk around in, so I’d suggest bringing a pair of slides, thongs, or ballet flats to change into after your photo shoot.

Photos with the Professional Photographer

Miraculously the rain cleared just in time for my photo shoot and I met the photographer who—never introduced herself and didn’t say a word as we walked to Sensoji Temple. Her English appeared limited (not a complaint, just an observation) and during the photo session she kept encouraging me to “be more cute”. I wasn’t entirely sure what she meant by that (and I think so of that was the language barrier), but I gave it my best shot and the photos turned out really cute!

What to do on a rainy day in Tokyo

After my session with the photographer ended, I wandered around Asukusa taking a ridiculous amount of selfies and enjoying some street food. Walking around Asakusa in a kimono was an enjoyable experience, even with the varied weather conditions. I could have kept the kimono rental until 5:30 pm, but I returned it early for a few reasons. It started to rain again and I didn’t want to risk getting the kimono dirty. In addition to that, as I mentioned previously, the clogs were hurting my feet. Lastly, I enjoyed wearing the kimono but wasn’t sure how I would have used the bathroom while wearing the kimono since it had so many layers.

My yukata rental took place on June 3 and on June 6 I received around 50 unedited images to make my final selection. I chose my favorite photos for editing and replied to YAE that day. My final edited images were received on June 21. Overall I thought the turnaround time was pretty good and was pleased with the final edits to the photos.

Would I Recommend This Experience?

Absolutely! I had so much fun learning about this Japanese tradition and the different accessories that are worn with the kimono. I had a blast wearing a kimono around Sensoji Temple and taking photos. The Japanese people really enjoy sharing kimono culture with tourists or at the very least, they enjoy the industry they’ve made out of it because I saw dozens of tourists wandering Asakusa clad in kimonos. If you’re visiting Japan, I absolutely suggest renting a kimono and spending some time wearing it around Tokyo! They even have wedding kimonos, which would be a wonderful kimono experience for special occasions like a honeymoon! Whether you’re looking for a traditional Japanese experience or just want to try something new, renting a kimono is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in Japanese culture. So, the next time you’re visiting Japan, don’t miss the opportunity to rent a kimono and create lasting memories!

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