SarahSince my first visit to Japan 2013, I always wanted to try a Kimono and stroll around in it. In fact, staying at a Ryokan and that were on top of my list when visiting Japan this time. While Kyoto is undoubtfully the most common place to rent a kimono – it is no problem in other cities in Japan as well, including Tokio. So this time, I was determined to try! However, I was unsure if this would work because:
a) I don’t speak Japanese
b) I am super curvy with a relatively slim waist and wide hips. Not exactly the Japanese Kimono figure!
But it turned out, this is both no problem at all and I rented my Kimono with “Asakusa Kimono Rental Yae”. And it was an awesome experience! You can also watch my vlog about the experience!
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Watch the experience as a video
Why I chose Kimono Rental Yae
Good news first: There are numerous Kimono rental shops in Tokio! I decided not to book the cheapest offer (Kimono rentals in Tokio start at 2,500¥ per day). Instead, I decided on a shop called “Kimono Rental Yae” because I read a positive review on another blog. And that was a good choice because there are a number of things that are easier/more awesome with Kimono Rental Yae:
- They speak English
- You can easily book your kimono dressing online with KKDay. (You can also use Yae’s website, but KKDay was a little bit easier). Reserve your time slot and pay with a credit card in advance!
- They also have “western sizes” (more on that later)
- Their kimonos are simply a little bit more elaborated in style and design than some cheaper competitors
- The price (standard set woman: 5,400¥) is all inclusive: They don’t charge for socks or a matching bag and they even include the hair styling in their price! (I have not seen any other shop that did that!)
How the dressing takes part
I booked a slot at 10:30 at Kimono Rental Yae. When I arrived at the store on the 6th floor, I was greeted with the typical Japanese hospitality by one of the ladies working there.
She directly showed me their kimono selection and checked which size I need. This actually already reduced the selection to an easier choice. I also got a bag to store my personal clothing at the rental shop while strolling around Tokio. Finally, I could choose a matching handbag for my kimono.
Fit me into that please!
After that, I went down to the second floor of the building where the dressing takes place. There were already a lot of girls being styled and the whole atmosphere reminded me of being at a bridal shop! (I had been a year ago to buy my wedding dress!) ❤
Another lady showed me to a curtained cabin, where I was first dressed in a linen undergarment and then in a kind of an “under kimono”. And that’s where the funny process of “japanizing” my figure started. 😂 I had to undress the “under kimono” again and they started fixing small towels around my waist with linen bands until my waist was more the desired rectangle shape.
After trying the “under kimono” a second time, they decided that my breasts were too large. They then bound them smaller with a piece of cloth. If you now think that this process must have been humiliating, I have to say: Not at all! They were super friendly and at no point gave me the feeling that my curvy figure would be any problem! I know it was, but they behaved in a way, that you could almost think it was simply their fault! Actually, it was super funny and I laughed a lot while being turned into a more rectangular format! 😆
After they were satisfied with the fitting of the “under kimono”, they used lots of pieces of cloths, bands, and clips to make my kimono fit perfectly and stay in its position for the whole day without any “displacement”. And it worked beautifully – so they did a great job! You also choose your obi (the silken kimono belt) and two decorating strings, that they will attach over the obi as well.
No dressing without a hairstyle
The last episode of being turned into a beautiful geisha-style kimono girl is your hair. The ladies at Kimono Rental Yae show you a booklet with different hairstyles and let you choose your favorite. You also get to choose lots of hair accessories (flowers) to decorate your hair with!
The whole process only took 45min, so they were super efficient. Afterward, I was ready to stroll around Tokio’s Temples and Shrines!
A quick note on the “size topic”
As I mentioned already, my figure needed to be “rectangled” to really fit in the kimono – but this was not a problem!
Sizing for kimonos is determined by height and hip ratio – they WILL make the rest fit. Luckily, at Kimono Rental Yae, they had various sizes:
- M: for tiny girls, 1,45-1,55m, max hip size 90cm
- Japanese standard size (“free size”) is made to fit from 1,45m to 1,65m and a hip size of max 90cm (I guess there is a little bit of reserve though
- “TL” (tall) is made to fit 1,65m, hip size max 90cm (Not even the girls on Germany’s next topmodel can wear that!)
- “3L” (don’t fret ‘cos of the name!) is for a max height of 1,75m and max hip size of 110cm. (that’s what I took and what probably most westerners will take)
- “4L” is for a max height of 1,75m and max hip size of 130cm (so even if you are curvier than me, they have something for you and it shouldn’t stop you from trying this experience! 😘)
I assume, that also something like “2L” exists for Kimonos, but they didn’t have that size at Kimono Rental Yae – however you are probably fine just to go with free size if you are very slim and otherwise stick to 3L (despite the name) or 4L (if you are a little bit curvier than me)
What’s next after dressing?
After being equipped with everything and styled, you are ready to go around Tokio.
Kimono Rental Yae will store your clothing for you until you return the kimono. You have to return it by 5:30 pm – but you can also choose a next day return plan for 1,100¥ extra if you like!
Time to take pictures!
A few places to take pictures (there are numerous opportunities in Tokio):
- Asakusa district, Sensoji Temple and Asakusa Shrine: the whole area is full of sights and within 5-10min walking from Yae. However be prepared to share your photo spots – it’s VERY crowded. We only stayed shortly and then went on.
- Hie Shrine: completely unknown to most tourists. But if you want a picture with a beautiful red tori archway (like the famous Inari Taisha Shrine near Kyoto) – come here! It is in a business area, so you will likely be the only person in a kimono. Thus, you can see local businessmen and women come into the shrine at lunchtime for a quick wish – very authentic!
- Gotokuji Temple: yes, it is in a suburb and yes, it is definitely worth the train ride and short walk! It is the famous origin of the omnipresent winking cat. It is super quiet there and thus has the “real” atmosphere. Plus, lots of cute photo ops!
- Meiji Jingu Shrine: this shrine is in Harajuku (so you might see lolitas there at the weekend) and it is really big and pretty! I went there the day before, so I skipped it with the Kimono – but if you haven’t been yet, it is a solid choice!
- A landscaped garden: On your way back you could stop at the Imperial East Gardens (free of charge, but closed on Tuesdays and Fridays!) or at another landscaped garden like Hamarikyu Gardens. The Meji Temple also has a landscaped garden, but it is quite expensive for a Japanese garden (500¥)
- A cool high tech hotel: You could combine modern Tokyo with its fascinating high tech hotels with ancient Tokyo and its Geishas!
Have you been wearing a Kimono already?
Let me know in the comments below about your experiences!
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Hi Sarah, über einen Kimono Verleih hab ich auch noch nicht gelesen, finde es aber unglaublich spannend. War es nicht komisch als Europäerin mit Kimono herumzulaufen? Wird man nicht schräg angeguckt dabei? Oder gehört das in Japan irgendwie zum Standard, dass sich daran keiner stört? Ich hätte irgendwie erwartet, dass die Menschen sich daran stören weil man aus Tradition eine Kostümierung macht. Mag aber auch übersensibel gedacht sein.
Du hast in deinem Beitrag die Preise in Yen angegeben. Was ist das denn in etwa in Euro?
Liebe Grüße,
Nika von http://www.VintasticWorld.cm
Hi Nika! Nein, ich fand das gar nicht komisch – und die Japaner fanden es sogar nicht mal nur “nicht störend”, sondern super toll! Ich habe mich demletzt auch intensiv mit dem Thema beschäftigt, was okay ist, und was als “cultural appropriation” gesehen werden kann. Kimono tragen in Japan als Europäer ist auf jeden Fall etwas, was dort sehr positiv wahrgenommen wird. Es macht viele Japaner sehr stolz zu sehen, dass ihre Kultur eine solche Faszination auf “Westerners” ausübt – mach dir da bitte überhaupt keine Gedanken!!! Vom Preis her waren das knapp über 40€ – wirklich nicht viel also!