Kimono Experience in Kyoto: Best Rental Stores and Photo Spots

Catalogue
- A Quick Guide to the Kimono
- Where to Rent a Kimono in Kyoto
- 1. Gion Shijo Store
- 2. Kyoto Kimono Rental Uruwasiki
- 3. Okamoto Kimono
- 4. Kyoto Kimono Rental Yumeyakata
- 5. Kyoto KIMONO-PRO
- Best Places for Photo-taking in Kyoto
- 1. Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 2. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- 3. Kinkaku-ji
- 4. Kyoto Imperial Palace
- 5. Kiyomizu-dera
- 6. Tetsugaku No Michi
- 8. Gion
- A Gateway to Tradition and Modernity
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If you ever toyed with the idea of promenading through the streets of Japan in a Kimono, Kyoto is the ideal place to do so.
With statuesque landmarks and breath-taking sights, Kyoto is the place to experience Japanese culture. There are tons of Kimono rental stores littered all around the city with modern, luxurious, traditional and vintage pieces!
The nearest airport to Kyoto is Osaka and you can hop on a shinkansen to get to Kyoto in less than an hour.

Regarded as the national dress of Japan, the Kimono is a traditional Japanese garment. Today, they are worn by men, women and children to festive occasions like Hanami and formal events like graduation ceremonies. They can be worn as everyday wear as well.
Female kimono designs tend to incorporate elaborate floral prints and bright colours. Usually, they consist of up to 12 or more Kimono parts. Male Kimonos, on the other hand, tend to be simpler with only five pieces.
While Kimonos can be worn for all seasons, Yukatas - another ethnic attire - are more popular during summer as they are made with unlined synthetic fabric or cotton which are more breathable and cooling.

Thinking of renting a Kimono? Kimono rental is a dime a dozen in Kyoto, but we have handpicked five stores you could visit to rent some stunning garments.

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Besides formal, modern and casual Kimonos for both genders, Gion Shijo Store also provides professional hairstyling and photography from a basic online price of JPY2,980 (SGD39). Strategically located in Gion, one of Kyoto’s most famous Geisha districts, there are dozens of traditional teahouses you can get your pictures taken at while you dine. The alleyways make perfect photo spots too!

Kyoto Kimono Rental Uruwasiki offers formal and luxurious Kimonos like Hōmongi, which are usually worn by young married or unmarried women to formal parties. You can choose from bright Yukatas to elegant wedding Kimonos. Starting rental prices are similar to those at Gion Shijo, and you can enjoy services such as simple hair styling and makeup at JPY1,000 (SGD13) each. Do note that the rental store only serves a maximum of 20 people a day.

Founded in 1830, Okamoto has over 30,000 Kimonos and Yukatas to choose from and seven rental shops dispersed across some of Kyoto’s top tourist destinations, with the main store located at Gojobashihigashi. Their most popular package is the Full Outfit Plan at JPY4,980 (SGD65), which lets you choose from embroidered coloured sets. You can also enjoy full hairstyling from JPY500 (SGD7) onwards.

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Those who have trouble overcoming the language barrier will find this Kimono rental store incredibly helpful. There are multilingual interpreters available who can converse in English, Chinese, Korean, Thai, French and other languages. Choosing your Kimono here will be an easy experience, and you can do so from its wondrous collection that caters to men, women and kids from 1.5 to 12 years old. Muslimahs who don the scarf can even pick from a range of Kimono-style hijabs. Rental plans vary between basic and premium prices, with some offered as packages for sightseeing, makeover and weddings. If your budget permits, you can engage their professional photography services from JPY23,000 (SGD298).

Based in the heart of Kyoto city, this store lets you mix and match accessories with its wide range of Kimonos. Those on the luxurious end, priced between JYP18,000 (SGD233) and JYP248,000 (SGD3,204), will indeed capture the eye. Fret not, more affordable packages are also available. Get your hair done too and you will be all ready to grace the streets of Kyoto!
Kyoto has dozens of tourist attractions with scenic views and picturesque backdrops to snap some #insta-worthy shots with your Kimono. Here are eight of them.

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This Shinto shrine was dedicated to the God of saké and rice by the Hata clan at the beginning of the 8th century. Thousands of tourists flock to the shrine to snap some pictures with the orange torii gates. There are more than 5000 of them! Entrance to the park and shrines are also completely free.

Filled with towering stalks of bamboo, the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest offers splendid greenery for outdoor photography. Visitors could join a walking tour or explore the forest on their own. For those clad in Kimonos, there are tons of photo-taking spots here to get creative with poses.

The well-known “Golden Pavilion” is an iconic sight set against a lush green background during hot summers and a snowy backdrop in winter. The Kinkaku-ji has three levels - the top two stories of the pavilion are coated with pure gold leaf. You could take some pictures in your Kimono with the majestic Kinkaku-ji in the background, try different poses and leave with postcard-worthy images.

Situated in the heart of the Kyoto Imperial Palace Park, the Kyoto Imperial Palace is a spectacular landmark built in classical Japanese style. It was the Japanese Emperor’s official residence in Kyoto. If you want to snap some pictures with the Sakura and fall foliage, you could head to the park to take some photos with the gorgeous flora and fauna and the Kyoto Imperial Palace in the background.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto which was erected in the late 8th century. It is one of Kyoto’s most famous temples. You could get a shot of the temple and surrounding flora and fauna with the Kyoto city skyline with your Kimono.

Lined with hundreds of Sakura trees, the Tetsugaku No Michi, or “The Path of Philosophy”, spans over two kilometres. During spring, the path is covered with bewitching Sakura. You can find several small temples, shrines, restaurants, cafés and boutiques along the path. The beauty of this place is alluring - a picture with your Kimono against this backdrop is a must!
7. Nishiki Market

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If you want to capture Kyoto’s city life while clad in your Kimono, Nishiki Market is the perfect place to do so. The contrast between the traditional and the modern will make for an interesting click. The street along the market is lined with numerous shops selling food so you can enjoy Tabe-aruki - the Japanese style of walking and eating - in your Kimono. You could also head down in the evening to snap some pictures of the illuminating lanterns.

Perhaps one of Kyoto’s most well-known geisha districts, the streets of Gion are lined with various well-preserved restaurants and teahouses with roots dating back to the 17th century. You can pose in your Kimono with the traditional Japanese architecture in the background.
Kyoto marries contemporary Japan with century-old traditions embodied in its landscape of high-rise buildings, wooden teahouses, vibrant historic and culinary districts that are peppered across the city.
If you want to get a taste of Japanese tradition in Kyoto, you could start by renting a Kimono - putting it on is fun but walking around in it is an experience on its own! Fret not if you have no idea how to wear it as the staff at the shop you head to will assist you in getting ready.
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