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Quick answer: Renting a kimono for a day is easy in Kyoto, Tokyo’s Asakusa and Kanazawa. Basic women’s plans cost from about ¥3,300–¥5,500 when booked online at the big rental chains, and include the kimono, obi, sandals, a bag and dressing. Allow about 1 to 1.5 hours for women to be dressed (30–40 minutes for men), and return the kimono the same day, usually by 16:30–18:00. Most shops switch to yukata (light cotton summer kimono) from about May or June to September. In Kyoto, the 2026–27 Kyoto Kimono Passport gives kimono wearers discounts at about 250 places (but no free buses), while Kenninji temple in Gion has banned photos and videos of visitors in costume, kimono included, since October 2025.

In this guide

Kimono, yukata, furisode: what you can rent

A woman in a pale kimono on a stone-paved Kyoto street with visitors carrying parasols
Most visitors rent for a day of walking around Kyoto’s old streets. Photo: Pexels

JNTO explains the difference simply: a kimono is made of heavier fabric such as silk, cotton or wool and is worn over an under-robe (juban) with split-toe tabi socks, while a yukata is a lighter cotton or cotton-hemp garment, more casual, worn for summer festivals and at ryokan, traditionally after the bath. Rental shops offer both, plus a few special styles:

How kimono rental works

  1. Book online for the lowest price. Most shops take walk-ins if there is space, but booked guests are served first, and VASARA takes bookings up to a year ahead.
  2. Arrive at your booking time and choose your kimono, obi and accessories from the racks.
  3. Get dressed by staff. Shops say to allow about 1 to 1.5 hours from arrival to leaving for women, longer for groups; men take about 30–40 minutes.
  4. Leave your clothes and luggage at the shop. Okamoto keeps one suitcase per person free, Aiwafuku stores luggage free, and VASARA keeps one bag up to 40×25×47 cm free, with larger bags ¥1,100 if there is space.
  5. Spend the day walking, sightseeing and taking photos.
  6. Return the kimono before the shop’s deadline, or pay for next-day return.

What is included

A basic plan normally includes the kimono, obi, undergarments, a bag, tabi socks, zori sandals and dressing. wargo also includes a simple updo with one hair ornament, and Okamoto adds a shawl to all plans. Hair styling elsewhere, makeup and photo shoots are extras.

Return times

Shop Same-day return by Next-day return
wargo Kyoto 17:30 +¥1,100
wargo Asakusa 18:00 +¥1,100
wargo Kanazawa 16:30 +¥1,100
VASARA 17:30, whatever time you booked +¥2,200
Okamoto (Kyoto) 17:50 +¥1,100
Yumeyakata (Kyoto) 17:30 Free until December 30, 2026 (normally +¥1,100)
Aiwafuku 16:30 for bookings before 12:00 +¥2,200 plus a ¥5,000 cash deposit (Asakusa)

Late returns are charged: VASARA charges ¥2,200 per item, and Aiwafuku ¥2,000 per person per day without the next-day option. Some shops let you return to another branch for a fee (¥3,850 at VASARA, from ¥1,100 at Okamoto), and Okamoto can arrange the return from your hotel from ¥1,650.

Cancellation and damage

Language and payment

English support varies. VASARA says the only language it guarantees is Japanese and suggests a translation tool; Aiwafuku has Chinese, English and Japanese speakers on site; Yumeyakata offers interpreters in four languages. Shops accept cash and cards, and several take QR payments; VASARA can be prepaid online. A translation app is handy when choosing options; see our translation apps guide.

Prices at the main rental shops

These are the shops’ own published prices in October 2026, tax included unless noted, usually for online booking. Counter prices are often higher, and wargo notes prices “may vary depending on the day of the week and date”.

Shop Basic women’s kimono Other plans Hair
wargo (Kyoto, Tokyo, Kanazawa and more) ¥3,300 online (¥4,400 listed) Retro Modern ¥5,500; student ¥4,400; couple ¥7,700; yukata from ¥3,300 Simple updo free; braids extra
VASARA (Kyoto, Asakusa, Kanazawa and more) ¥3,278 online (¥3,980 + tax at the counter) Retro Modern ¥6,930; men’s ¥6,930; yukata ¥3,630 Check when booking
Okamoto (Kyoto) Set ¥3,278 Select ¥4,378; Full Attire ¥5,478; yukata and men’s ¥4,378 From ¥550
Yumeyakata (Kyoto) From ¥3,080 with advance booking (¥4,180 standard) Men’s and kids ¥4,180; Full Option with hair ¥8,250 From ¥1,650
Aiwafuku (Asakusa, Kyoto) Asakusa ¥4,300; Kyoto ¥5,500 with hair (¥6,000 in October–November) Men’s ¥4,000 (Asakusa); couple from ¥7,300 Included in all plans

In practice, a basic day in a rented kimono costs from about ¥3,300 to ¥5,500 per person booked online, plus any hair styling. Some rental plans can also be booked through activity sites such as Klook; compare with the shop’s own price.

Kimono rental in Kyoto

Two visitors in colorful kimono beside the Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama, Kyoto
Arashiyama is one of Kyoto’s favorite kimono walks. Photo: shankar s. / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Kyoto is the classic place to wear a kimono, and rental shops cluster near the main walking areas. Choose a shop close to where you will spend the day, because you must come back to return it.

Where the shops are

Good kimono walks

If your kimono comes loose, Kyoto’s “Kimono Rescue” counters at JR Kyoto Isetan (9F), Daimaru Kyoto (6F) and Kyoto Takashimaya S.C. (5F) can fix it, though they will not re-tie an obi or dress you from scratch. For hotels close to the walking areas, see our Kyoto where-to-stay guide or search on Agoda.

A sample day in kimono in Kyoto

  1. 9:00: get dressed at a shop near Kiyomizu-dera (Okamoto’s Higashiyama shops open at 9:00).
  2. 10:30: Kiyomizu-dera, then down Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, keeping to the side of the lane for photos.
  3. 12:00: lunch sitting down at a restaurant or cafe; avoid eating while walking.
  4. 13:00: Yasaka Shrine (Kimono Passport holders get a commemorative gift) and Chion-in’s gardens (10% off with the passport).
  5. 14:30: Gion: the Shirakawa canal and Hanamikoji, without entering the private alleys. You can visit Kenninji, but don’t take photos of yourself in costume there.
  6. 16:00: a tea break, then back to the shop before its return deadline (17:30–17:50 at most Kyoto shops).

With an early start, you could swap the afternoon for Nanzen-ji (its Hojo garden is ¥500 with the passport) and the Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design in Okazaki, which is free for kimono wearers.

Kyoto rules: Gion, temples and photos

A traditional street in Gion, Kyoto, in the evening
Gion’s streets are open to all, but its private alleys and its geiko and maiko are not photo props. Photo by Satoshi Hirayama on Pexels

Kimono and photography go together, and Kyoto has tightened rules on where and how you can take pictures. Wearing a kimono does not exempt you.

Gion

KYOTO TOURISTSHIP (from October 2026)

Kyoto City and its tourism association launched “KYOTO TOURISTSHIP” on October 1, 2026: 17 manners points in Japanese, English and Chinese. Its English text says that touching, blocking or photographing geiko or maiko without permission “may be subject to penalties”, that “blocking roads to take photographs or entering private property for photography may be subject to penalties”, and asks visitors to enjoy food “in front of the shop or in designated areas” and not to photograph children or residents without permission.

Temples and shrines

Place What its official notice says
Kenninji (Gion) Since October 14, 2025, no photos or video while wearing costumes, including Japanese dress, and entry may be refused; no tripods, selfie sticks, gimbals or drones. Ordinary photos are allowed.
Kiyomizu-dera No drones, monopods or tripods; “photo shoots for weddings or cosplay, or fashion photo sessions using models” are forbidden; no eating or drinking outside cafes and tea houses.
Fushimi Inari Taisha No commercial photography, no blocking narrow paths for photos, no eating outside rest areas, and no walking the grounds in wedding dresses or other costumes inappropriate for worship.
Kasuga Taisha (Nara) No wedding photos in wedding dress or kimono, even for personal use, unless you married there; no cosplay, tripods or selfie sticks.
Nishiki Market Eating or drinking while walking is prohibited.

Ordinary sightseeing in a rented kimono is welcome at most temples and shrines. The rules target staged photo shoots, blocked paths and behavior that disturbs worshippers. Our Gion guide covers the district in more detail.

Kimono rental in Tokyo (Asakusa)

The front of a kimono rental shop in Asakusa, Tokyo, with a kimono on display
Asakusa is Tokyo’s kimono rental hub. Photo: shankar s. / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

In Tokyo, Asakusa is the place to rent: Senso-ji, Nakamise shopping street and the old lanes around them make a natural backdrop, and several chains have shops within a few minutes’ walk.

Senso-ji’s main hall is open 6:00–17:00 (from 6:30 in October to March), so plan to finish there before the hall closes and return your kimono afterwards. Kimono rental is also popular in Kamakura and Kawagoe, where wargo and VASARA have shops. See our Asakusa and Ueno guide.

A sample afternoon in Asakusa

Book a late-morning slot, then walk through the Kaminarimon gate and along Nakamise to Senso-ji’s main hall. After the temple, explore the backstreets of Asakusa, take a rickshaw ride if you like (Aiwafuku sells rickshaw tours with its rentals), and walk down to the Sumida River for views of Tokyo Skytree before returning to the shop by 18:00. Asakusa is busy, so the same manners apply as in Kyoto: don’t block the street for photos, and eat sitting down.

Kimono rental in Kanazawa

Kanazawa’s teahouse districts and Kenrokuen garden are a beautiful, less crowded setting.

The Higashi Chaya District is free to walk, about five minutes from the Hashiba-cho bus stop, and Kenrokuen costs ¥320 (open 7:00–18:00, or 8:00–17:00 from mid-October to the end of February). The Kanazawa Loop Bus (¥220 a ride) links the station with both. See our Kanazawa guide.

Other places to rent a kimono

The big chains have spread well beyond Kyoto and Asakusa, so you can also wear a kimono in:

Prices at a chain’s branches are generally the same as in its Kyoto or Asakusa stores, but hours and return times differ, so check the branch page.

Kimono or costume?

Some temple rules mention “costumes”. Kenninji’s ban explicitly includes Japanese dress, so it applies to rental kimono. Fushimi Inari’s rule targets wedding dresses or other costumes “inappropriate for worship”, and Kasuga Taisha bans wedding-style photos in kimono unless you married there. In practice, walking and praying in a rented kimono is fine almost everywhere; it is the staged photo shoot that is restricted.

Seasons: kimono or yukata?

Shops decide for themselves when to switch to yukata, so check before booking:

Shop Yukata season
wargo June–September
VASARA Roughly May–September
Okamoto June–September only
Yumeyakata May 1 – September 20 (2026)
Aiwafuku Asakusa Mid-June to August

Traditionally, kimono also change with the seasons: lined kimono (awase) from October to May, unlined (hitoe) in June and September, and sheer fabrics in July and August. Kimono shops point out that these are not absolutes, and with hotter summers many people now wear unlined kimono for longer.

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Sizes, men, children and couples

Shop Women Men Children
wargo About 150–175 cm (taller in a few cases; ask) About 165–200 cm Kimono 80–125 cm, yukata 80–140 cm
VASARA 130–190 cm 150–200 cm 100–135 cm, about age 3 and up
Yumeyakata 145–175 cm (hips up to 130 cm) 160–195 cm 85 cm and up
Okamoto Over-170 cm, wide and small sizes available About 155–195 cm From 90 cm
Aiwafuku S–3L/4L at the same price S–5L Girls’ and boys’ plans

wargo stocks zori sandals up to about 26.5 cm for women and 29.5 cm for men, and plus sizes. If you are tall or plus-size, book a shop that lists your size and mention it when booking. Men’s plans cost from ¥3,300 (wargo yukata) to ¥6,930 (VASARA), and couple plans from ¥7,300 per pair (Aiwafuku Asakusa).

What to wear underneath: wargo includes kimono underwear and says a thin open-collar T-shirt is fine in cold weather; VASARA lets you keep an open-neck thermal top, leggings or tights; Yumeyakata recommends a sports bra or non-wired bra for women and a tank top for men.

Kimono for children and families

Children’s kimono and yukata make lovely family photos, and most chains have children’s plans: wargo’s children’s yukata costs ¥3,300, Yumeyakata’s kids’ plan ¥4,180 (from 85 cm), Okamoto’s children’s plan ¥5,478 (from 90 cm), and VASARA dresses children from about age 3 who can walk on their own. Allow extra dressing time for a family, bring snacks the children can eat sitting down, and plan a short route: sandals are tiring for small feet. wargo’s Kanazawa store offers nappy changing and stroller storage, which helps with babies. Some temples and shrines are up long flights of steps, so check the route before setting out with a stroller.

Hair, makeup and photo shoots

Two young women in furisode kimono with tied obi seen from behind in Asakusa, Tokyo
Furisode, the long-sleeved formal kimono, on Coming of Age Day in Asakusa. Photo: Marc Dalmulder / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Remember that some temples, such as Kenninji, ban photos of people in costume, and others ban photo shoots with tripods or models. A professional photographer will know where shoots are allowed.

How to wear and move in a kimono

Choosing your kimono and what to bring

Shops have hundreds of kimono and obi on the racks, and choosing is part of the fun. A few pointers:

What to bring

Discounts for kimono wearers

The Kyoto Kimono Passport 2026–27, organized by Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, the Chamber of Commerce and the textile trade, runs from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027 at about 250 facilities in Kyoto Prefecture. Anyone wearing a kimono qualifies, including yukata, hakama and furisode. There is no app or paper passport: just show the passport web page (kimono-passport.jp) on your phone while wearing a kimono.

Kyoto also holds a “Kimono Day” gathering; in 2026 it is on November 13 at Heian Jingu Kaikan, with places allocated by lottery.

Is it OK for visitors to wear kimono?

Yes, and Kyoto actively encourages it. In 2019, Kyoto’s mayor wrote that “we see not only Japanese but also many foreign tourists wearing Kimono and strolling around in Kyoto” and called it “proof that Kimono… is loved by people from around the world”. The 2026–27 Kimono Passport is open to “anyone wearing a kimono” and has an English guide.

What people object to is behavior, not clothing: blocking lanes for photo shoots, following maiko, entering private alleys and staging costume shoots at places of worship, which is why Kenninji banned costume photos in 2025. Wear the kimono properly (left over right), move considerately, and you will be welcomed.

When Japanese people wear kimono

Seeing when locals dress up helps you understand what you are wearing. Young women wear the long-sleeved furisode on Coming of Age Day, a national holiday in January (January 11 in 2027), when shrines and places like Asakusa fill with them. In November, families take young children to shrines in kimono for Shichi-Go-San, a celebration for children aged three, five and seven. In March, many university graduates wear hakama to their ceremonies, and summer festivals and fireworks bring out yukata everywhere. Kimono also appear at weddings, tea ceremonies and traditional performances. If you wear a kimono on one of these occasions, you will be in good company, and locals often enjoy seeing visitors take part.

The crafts behind the kimono

Rental kimono are mostly made of easy-care synthetic fabrics, but they echo some of Japan’s great textile traditions. As of October 2025 there were 244 nationally designated Traditional Crafts, each with more than 100 years of history. Kyoto has 17, including Nishijin-ori brocade, Kyo-Yuzen dyeing, Kyo-Komon stencil dyeing and Kyo-Kanoko shibori tie-dyeing; Ishikawa has 10, including Kaga-Yuzen; Tokyo has crafts such as Tokyo Some-komon and Tokyo Tegaki Yuzen.

These industries are under pressure: total production of traditional crafts has been under ¥100 billion a year since fiscal 2016, and in fiscal 2022 about 48,000 people worked in them, 63.6% of them aged 50 or over. Visiting a workshop, trying Yuzen dyeing in Kanazawa, or buying a small item made by a craftsperson is a meaningful way to support them.

Planning tips

Frequently asked questions

How much does kimono rental cost in Kyoto? Basic women’s plans at the main chains cost from about ¥3,300 to ¥5,500 per person booked online in October 2026, with hair styling sometimes included and sometimes extra.

How long does it take to put on a kimono? Rental shops say about 1 to 1.5 hours from arrival to leaving for women, and about 30–40 minutes for men.

What time do I have to return the kimono? Usually between 16:30 and 18:00 the same day, depending on the shop. Next-day return costs extra at most shops.

When should I rent a yukata instead of a kimono? Most shops switch to yukata from about May or June to September. Yukata are lighter, cooler and casual.

Do I need to book in advance? Walk-ins are accepted if there is space, but booking online is cheaper and guarantees a slot, especially on weekends and in peak seasons.

Can tall or plus-size visitors rent a kimono? Yes. VASARA dresses women up to 190 cm and men up to 200 cm, wargo men up to about 200 cm, and several shops stock plus sizes. Check the size range before booking.

Where is the best place to wear a kimono in Japan? Kyoto’s Higashiyama and Arashiyama are the classic choices, Asakusa is the easiest in Tokyo, and Kanazawa’s teahouse districts are quieter. Kamakura and Kawagoe are good day trips from Tokyo with rental shops nearby.

Does the Kimono Passport work in a yukata? Yes. The passport counts yukata, hakama and furisode as kimono; just show the passport web page on your phone while wearing one.

Do kimono wearers ride Kyoto’s buses free? No. The 2026–27 Kyoto Kimono Passport gives discounts at about 250 places but states there is no free subway, bus or taxi.

Can I take photos in Gion in a kimono? You can photograph the public streets, but do not enter private alleys, block the road, or photograph geiko and maiko without permission. Kenninji temple bans photos of people in costume, kimono included.

Is it disrespectful for foreigners to wear kimono? No. Kyoto’s mayor has welcomed foreign visitors wearing kimono, and the city’s Kimono Passport is open to anyone. Wear it correctly and behave considerately.

Can men rent a kimono? Yes. Every major chain has men’s plans, from ¥3,300 for a yukata at wargo to ¥6,930 at VASARA, and dressing takes only about 30–40 minutes.

Can I keep the kimono overnight? Yes, at most shops, for a next-day return fee of about ¥1,100–¥2,200 (free at Yumeyakata until December 30, 2026). Aiwafuku Asakusa also asks for a ¥5,000 cash deposit.

Do I need to speak Japanese to rent a kimono? Not really, but support varies: VASARA guarantees only Japanese and suggests a translation tool, while Aiwafuku has English and Chinese speakers and Yumeyakata offers interpreters. Booking online in English avoids most questions.

What if it rains? Shops stay open. Some lend umbrellas or sandal covers, and Okamoto charges nothing for rain marks, but stone paths get slippery, so walk carefully.

Plan the rest of your trip

Sources: rental shops’ official sites and FAQs (wargo, VASARA, Okamoto, Yumeyakata, Aiwafuku; October 2026); Kaga Yuzen Kimono Center; JNTO (kimono and yukata guide); Kyoto City and Kyoto City Tourism Association (KYOTO TOURISTSHIP, October 2026; manners staff releases, February and October 2026; Kyoto Kanko Navi; kyoto.travel); “Message From Southern Gionmachi” (December 2023); Kenninji notices (October and November 2025); Kiyomizu-dera; Fushimi Inari Taisha; Kasuga Taisha; Senso-ji; Kyoto Kimono Passport (Kyoto Prefecture release, September 2026; kimono-passport.jp); Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design; City of Kyoto (mayor’s letter, June 2019); Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (traditional crafts, July 2026); Japan Tourism Agency multilingual commentary (Kinosaki) (checked October 2026). Prices and rules change; please check with the shop and let us know if you spot something out of date.

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About the Author

Jack

I'm Jack, the writer behind Japan Real Guide. I'm from Ehime Prefecture on Shikoku and live in Osaka. Work takes me around Japan regularly, and I go home to Ehime often, so the guides here come from living in the country, not visiting it. Prices, ticket rules and opening hours are checked against official sources, and every guide shows when it was last updated.