Kyoto · Gion · Higashiyama
Pick your kimono, get your hair styled, and spend the day wandering Kyoto's stone-paved temple district — the photos are better, the experience is deeper, and same-day rental keeps it simple.
The Experience
100+ kimono patterns, included hairstyling, accessories, and locations in the heart of the geisha district.
Four steps from rental shop to day-long exploration.
Arrive at the rental shop in Gion, Higashiyama, or near Kiyomizu-dera. Browse 100+ patterns — cotton yukata for summer, silk komon for cooler months — and choose your obi belt and footwear.
Staff help you into the kimono (it takes 15–20 minutes — there are eight separate layers). Hair styling, a decorative comb, and a drawstring bag are all included.
Walk to Yasaka Shrine, Maruyama Park, Kiyomizu-dera, or along the Shirakawa canal. The kimono stays on for 5–8 hours — most couples combine rental with a tea ceremony or shrine visit.
Return the kimono to the shop before closing (usually 5 or 6 PM). Some shops offer overnight rental for evening photo shoots — check when you book.
Photo Gallery
Silk sleeves against cherry blossoms, stone lanterns, and the quiet streets of Higashiyama — captured by our guests.
Book Your Experience
Select your preferred date and time. Instant confirmation — free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
19 kimono options — plus-size-friendly shops, tea ceremony combo packages, and photo-shoot add-ons.
PRIVATECapture memories with a professional photographer in Kyoto. Choose from iconic locations like Fushimi Inari, Gion, or Arashiyama, and receive edited photos within two days.
BUDGETHave your kimono experience from our convenient locations near Gion. Choose from over 700+ stunning kimonos and dressing by experts & take photos at iconic sights effortlessly. Plus-size friendly!
Guest Reviews
"It was a beautiful experience. It exceeded my expectations after a not so great kimono experience at a tea ceremony. Loved the collection, the ladies were awesome! Loved my kimono, my hairdo and the experience. I wish I had more time. A tip I’d like to share is to walk in your own shoes and keep the sandals in your bag and change to take pics. It was extremely slippery and difficult to walk in the sandals."
"great! hair and accessories included, big selection of kimonos and accessories. the staff were lovely and made us feel welcome even though they were quite busy. they were also really efficient! we had our hair done, kimono put on, and we're out of the shop in 30mins! really good experience, would recommend."
"Great fun to get dressed up, would definitely recommend and the staff were lovely!"
"So-kin was an amazing photographer, really patient! It was great to work with her."
"It was a very pleasant experience. I will come again next time."
"It was easy to find. Staff was very polite and handled you really well. They have great collections of kimono and make a very very pretty hairstyle. Few tips in advance - kimono on women are tied very tightly so be prepared, your own walking shoes are preferred over japanese footwear for easy walking. Thank you for the wonderful experience, we loved it."
"Countless beautiful kimonos to choose from! The staff was all very kind and efficient. Hair styling was great too. The store is located near a whole bunch of shrines. I recommend going early so you can wear the kimono for the whole day."
"Great styles to choose from, quick process to get dressed and have our hair done. Arrive early (our appointment was at 9 am) for the best selection as it does get VERY busy."
"It was great fun, even my moody teenagers enjoyed the whole experience. ;o)"
"Such a fun experience and really affordable. If you want photos in a kimono - this is the best choice."
"I had the most amazing experience. The staff are lovely, I got a really lovely kimono from 9am till 5pm. The staff helped me choose accessories and the lady doing my hair did a fabulous job! It stayed in all day. Good value for money and I also booked the photography upgrade and the photographer took some lovely photos. Would definitely come here again!"
"Amazing! The did such a wonderful job with my daughter and made our experience wonderful!"
"Thank you for warmly welcoming me into your shop even before opening hours and allowing me to get dressed first due to my photoshoot. I chose a beautiful kimono at your store, and now I have wonderful photo memories to cherish. The service was very efficient, and the staff took care of me with great skill and professionalism. I highly recommend renting a kimono from this shop to everyone!"
"it was a quick change into kimonos which I liked. The photographer was really nice and professional. We are happy with the results!"
"I really enjoyed my photoshoot with Sokin. She is professional and a very good photographer. She guided me well throughout the shoot for pictures and poses. The kimono rental service was quick and easy with hairstyle and accessories."
"We had a great experience and it was definitely worth the money. The team was very helpful and kind, and everything went smoothly. Wearing the kimonos was the best part — we all looked and felt beautiful! It made the experience very special. Thank you for your great service. Highly recommended! Harika bir deneyim yaşadık ve kesinlikle parasına değdi. Ekip çok yardımcı ve kibardı, her şey sorunsuz ve hızlı ilerledi. Kimonoları giymek çok güzeldi hepimiz kendimizi çok güzel hissettik. Japonyayı bizim için daha özel hale getirdi. Herkese tavsiye ederim. Erkekler için önyargılı olmasınlar deneyin derim. Ekibe kibar düşünceleri için çok teşekkür ederiz."
"Możliwość wyboru z pośród wielu kimon i akcesoriów, profesjonalna obsługa 👘💮👘"
"Organized, fast and super friendly. The options to choose from were so so many. beautiful kimonos for women and men, adorable accessories and cute hairstyles"
"The shop was very busy but everyone was very helpful. I enjoyed the experience and being pampered."
"Fue muy rápido, en 40 minutos había elegido kimono y estaba vestida y peinada. Se ve muy cuidado como te visten y todos los detalles, he visto a gente con kimonos que se ven más simples y con menos detalles, como de menos calidad. Bien de precio"
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Browse All Kyoto ToursEverything you need to know about renting a kimono in Kyoto.
Allow 30–45 minutes at the rental shop. Kimono are an eight-layer outfit — nagajuban under-robe, kimono, obi-age, obi-jime, obi, and more. Staff do all the dressing; hair styling adds another 15–20 minutes. Most shops offer walk-in service but reservations save waiting.
Yes. Several Gion and Higashiyama kimono rental shops specifically advertise plus-size inventory — look for 'plus-size friendly' in the description. Sizes typically go up to 3XL. Call ahead if you have specific requirements; same-day adjustments are usually possible.
Yes. Standard rental packages include the kimono, obi belt, obi-age/obi-jime accent cords, tabi socks, zori sandals, a small drawstring bag (kinchaku), and a hair ornament. Undergarments come from the shop (new, packaged). Hairstyling is often included; sometimes it's a $10–15 add-on.
A yukata is a lightweight cotton summer kimono — simpler, fewer layers, and designed for hot weather. A silk or synthetic kimono with full layers is for cooler months. Yukata rentals are about $5–10 cheaper. In summer (June–September), yukata is more comfortable and authentic.
Yes, but slowly. The zori sandals are flat but take getting used to; the kimono restricts stride to small steps. Most rental customers walk 2–4 km over 5–6 hours with breaks. Avoid steep temple steps — your guide can point out accessible routes.
Most rental shops include minor spill insurance. Small stains (green tea, matcha, raindrops) are fine. Major damage (rips, heavy food stains) incur a $30–100 repair fee. Shops recommend you avoid ramen, tamari-dipped sushi, and red wine while wearing the kimono.
Some shops offer 24-hour or overnight rental — useful for an evening event or a dawn temple visit. Overnight rental typically costs 50-80% more than standard day rental. Confirm return procedure (is the shop open early morning?) before committing.
Absolutely. Men's kimono (haori and hakama) are widely available — more subdued colours, tied with a soft belt rather than an obi. Men's kimono rental is usually 20% cheaper than women's. Paired couples kimono is a common booking.
Kiyomizu-dera and the Higashiyama slopes (Sannen-zaka, Ninen-zaka) are the classic photo locations. Yasaka Shrine at dusk, the bamboo grove of Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari's torii gates, and the stone path of the Philosopher's Path all photograph beautifully.
Leave them at the rental shop. Most shops include free luggage storage while you're out — you collect your clothes when you return the kimono. Some shops offer hotel drop-off of your clothes for an additional fee.
Still have questions? Email us at info@thingstobookinkyoto.com