9 Kimonos to Spice Up Your Visit in Kyoto

I recently traveled with a friend to Kyoto so I thought I should share my Kimono experience in the city. Kyoto is known for its famous temples, gardens, shrines, and geishas. It is a place where you could remote to the past as it has preserved a lot of old designed structures. Personally, the city is a perfect escape from reality. My favorite thing to do in Kyoto aside from temple and shrine visiting is kimono experience it offers. It such a perfect experience to go around in traditional Japanese attire and feel more the essence of the Japanese culture.

What is Kimono?

Kimono have been first worn more than 1000years now during the Heian Period (794-1192). It is traditional Japanese clothing that could be made from linen or cotton. There are about 10 types of Kimonos for women and worn in different occasions.

Why should I try Kimono in Kyoto?

As a foreigner visiting an old city in Japan, wearing a kimono and having a makeover can give you the full experience of the country’s culture. There is no greater experience to wear traditional clothing and time traveling.

What are the Kimono experience you can try in Kyoto?

For women, there are up to 9 makeovers you can do in Kyoto. Every rental has different packages to offer such as studio photoshoot, make-up, hairstyles, rental time and other fun stuff. Let me share with you what are the different Kimono that you could try to spice up your visit to Kyoto.

Yukata

One of the popular is the Yukata type. It is one of the most casual and easy to wear Kimonos. It was originally intended to wear after bathing. In the modern days, Yukatas are usually worn in festivals such as summer festivals, Tanabata (star festival) or Bon dance festival.

Rental shops are everywhere in Kyoto. You can rent it anywhere in the area and return it from anywhere, as long as they have the same branch. Even at the hotels, you’re staying in, all you have to do is to note them with your Yukata. Rental price starts around 2,000JPY (20USD) + hair arrangement. Some rentals have other packages as well such as Jinrikisha tour, studio photoshoot, and other fun stuff. You might need a reservation so you might have done some research ahead. This is the best makeover you can do in Kyoto as most of the rentals allows you to go around for the whole day.

Here’s some rentals that are around the JR Kyoto Station

https://kyoetsu-gion.com/en/

https://www.en-kyoto.yumeyakata.com/

Susoshiki/Hikizuri

(Maiko or Geisha Experience)

Maiko is an apprentice of Geisha. They’re entertainers - dancing, singing, playing shamisen - who have played an important role in Japanese history. Maiko and Geisha’s kimono pattern, hair, collar, obi (belt), makeup and footwear are different. It is said that they are hard to spot in Kyoto, even in the usual area, so why don't you have a makeover and be one?

I have personally experienced to be a Maiko in Eigamura (Toei Kyoto Studio Park ) - it is a popular area where old Japanese dramas, mostly in the Edo period are shoot for films. The admission fee costs ¥2,200 for an adult. They offer various costumes such as samurai, princess, oiran, etc. There are other attractions such as Sakura Festivals, ninja shows, shrunken throwing contest, etc.

How much did the makeover cost?

The starting price of the makeover is ¥5,800 (costume only). The full makeover including the outfit, wig and makeup costs ¥11,500. You'll have 60minutes of free time to go around the park to take photos.

Check out Eigamura’s website to see their different attractions!

Eigamura http://www.toei-eigamura.com/en/

Available costumes http://www.toei-eigamura.com/henshin/

Other Maiko or Geisha experience recommendation:

Kyoto Maiko http://kyoto-maiko.com/english

Oiran

Oiran has different professionalism compared to Geisha. Oiran are entertainers too -Yujo, but later existed in Yoshiwara of Edo (Tokyo). They wear vivid colors which is why they are often hard to distinguish to some foreigners.

The makeover takes about 30 minutes including the makeup. They'll put very heavy makeup to make it flashy on the photo as well as your costume. You can choose your own wig (I chose blonde and floral accessory) but usually, Oiran usually wears large Kanzashi hair ornaments. It is up to you too to have it off-shoulder - which you should as that is how usual Oiran dress as.

Angelle Studio is located in Gion. They have a very good photographer and the photoshoot was pretty entertaining. You might have to book for reservation too so you better check out their schedule ahead.

http://www.angelle.jp

Other rentals that offers an Oiran make-over experience:

http://oiran.kyoto/en_plan_s/

https://www.studio-esperanto.com/english/index.html

Hakama

Hakama are traditional Japanese garment that is worn over a kimono. It is usually worn in graduations, weddings (male), kyudo, aikido, coming of age day (seijinshiki), priests and miko (in red color) and more. Hakamas are not that popular experience for tourists in Kyoto unlike Yukatas, Maiko or Geisha and Oirans. But it may be a good experience for a change.

Hakama Rentals:

https://www.en-kyoto.yumeyakata.com/hakama

https://kyotokimono-rental.com/en/

Other types of Kimono for Women

(may not be available in Kyoto for rental)

Furisode

Furisode is worn in Coming of Age day (seijinshiki). It is usually covered in a colorful pattern. The kimono name means ‘swinging sleeves’ to do its long sleeves that fall up to 42 inches. The longer it is the more formal it is. It is usually worn by unmarried women on special occasions as well as in tea ceremony, voting, and wedding (unmarried female from the bride‘s family).

To rent this type of kimono in Kyoto (or in other places in Japan) may be really hard. It is not that popular to tourists or foreigners. Moreover, due to its purposes, it may be rare to rent at an affordable price like Yukata. Seijinshiki is usually held in winter which is why most female who wears Furisode would pair a fur on their shoulder.

Other types of Kimono are Tomesode, Komon, Odori kitamigawari, Iromunji, Mofuku, Houmongi and Uchikake.