Seeing a Geisha was excessive on my bucket listing the primary time I visited Kyoto, a decade in the past. And after I first took to the streets of the outdated metropolis, I believed I had struck gold: I noticed beautiful kimono nearly in every single place I regarded.
Sadly, I quickly realized that these weren’t Geisha. Slightly, they had been overseas vacationers sporting the standard Japanese garment—a few of them higher than others.
10 years on, dressing up whilst you sightseeing in Kyoto is extra in style than ever—I’ve even executed it myself a few occasions. Proceed studying to study the whole lot you want to find out about kimono rental in Kyoto.
The place to Lease Kimono in Kyoto
Even again in 2014, it was comparatively straightforward to seek out Kyoto kimono rental shops. Nowadays, as you may think about, there are much more decisions. One very talked-about possibility is Okamoto, which has many shops close to the favored sightseeing spots I’m about to listing. A phrase of warning, nonetheless: These outlets can get busy, and workers aren’t all the time as sort as sleek as you’d anticipate in Japan.
Past reserving upfront through Okayama (or utilizing a third-party supplier reminiscent of Viator or TripAdvisor), one other selection could be to easily cease in at one of many many kimono rental outlets in Higashiyama and Gion. An additional possibility? Inquire along with your resort or ryokan as to whether or not they can prepare a kimono. But an alternative choice is to decorate in kimono together with one other exercise, reminiscent of a Geisha tea ceremony—extra on that later.
Standard Locations to Put on Kimono in Kyoto
Kiyomizu-dera
Though the Higashiyama district, broadly talking, has a excessive variety of vacationers sporting kimono, Kiyomizu-dera temple might be the precise place the place that is essentially the most noticeable. Which makes for nice pictures, however disturbing going, provided that strolling on geta sandals is troublesome even on flat paths—Kiyomizu-dera is up a number of slopes.
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Some vacationers who hire kimono in Kyoto as an alternative go by subway and/or JR Line to Arashiyama, within the northwestern a part of the town. Whereas these vacationers don’t essentially stick completely to the well-known bamboo forest, I’d say it’s the place the kimono aesthetic appears to be like essentially the most fascinating in pictures.
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Fushimi Inari Shrine presents an attention-grabbing conundrum. The vermilion gates serves as a stunning backdrop in opposition to which to pose in your kimono. However, you’ll be battling insane crowds, to say nothing of all of the steps you’ll must climb up whereas sporting your geta.
Maruyama Park
Many Kyoto kimono rental outlets are close to Maruyama Park, which is an particularly beautiful place to go to in the course of the peak autumn and spring seasons. Temples however, cherry blossoms and colourful leaves make in all probability the most effective backdrop on your kimono photos!
Geisha tea ceremonies
Planning to attend a Geisha tea ceremony? Properly, when you plan to take action at Maikoya (my private favourite place for it), you’ve the choice to put on kimono in the course of the ceremony. This can be a nice solution to make the expertise much more particular, whether or not or not you choose to stroll round Kyoto sporting the garment throughout your most important sightseeing.
Sporting Kimono Isn’t Cultural Appropriation—It’s Cultural Appreciation
The dialog round cultural appropriation (and round “privilege,” extra broadly) hadn’t but entered the mainstream again after I traveled to Japan the primary time. Consequently, it wasn’t actually on my thoughts after I began noticing what number of foreigners we sporting kimono, even at the moment. I believed it appeared uncomfortable and burdensome, however undoubtedly not offensive.
At this time, I firmly reject the notion that sporting kimono is cultural appropriation—if something, it’s cultural appreciation. In spite of everything, foreigners who put on kimono aren’t gaining any profit or benefit by doing so, and definitely aren’t going to all that hassle to mock Japanese tradition. And so they’re enriching native Japanese entrepreneurs within the course of, even when you ignore the truth that many Japanese folks take delight in foreigners’ embrace of their traditions.
Different FAQ About Renting Kimono in Kyoto
How a lot does it price to hire a kimono in Kyoto?
Relying in your gender and which store you e book from, you may typically anticipate to pay round ¥4,000 (round 28 USD in early 2024) to hire a kimono. You’ll pay extra if you want to get your hair or make-up executed, particularly when you’re getting precise Geisha make-up.
Can foreigners put on kimono in Kyoto?
Foreigners can completely put on kimono in Kyoto! In actual fact, Japanese individuals are proud that so many foreigners admire and embrace their tradition. To not point out, kimono rental is a particularly profitable enterprise, so that you’re supporting the native financial system.
Are you able to gown up as a Geisha in Kyoto?
It’s doable to decorate up as a Geisha in Kyoto, however do remember the fact that it is a totally different service than kimono rental, which simply contains primary hair and make-up. In order for you make-up and a Geisha up-do, you’ll must e book a extra specialised (and costly) service like this one (which is in Tokyo, be suggested).
The Backside Line
Kimono rental in Kyoto has by no means been simpler, not to mention extra in style. Whereas among the extra poisonous voices on the internet would possibly deem this “cultural appropriation,” it’s really one thing nearer to cultural appreciation. At worst, it’s a (possibly) cheesy method to assist assist the financial system of Kyoto whereas having a little bit little bit of enjoyable within the course of. Actually, it’s an expertise you’ll always remember, and can produce among the favourite pictures you are taking throughout your whole journey. Need customized assist placing your Japan trip collectively? I do hope you’ll take into account hiring me to plan a customized itinerary.