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One of my favorite things to do when I travel is rent traditional outfits. I’ve done it in China with a hanfu and Korea with a hanbok, and I always love it. There’s something so special about getting all dressed up and walking around a city in traditional clothing. It’s gorgeous for pictures and such a cool way to experience the culture firsthand. If you’re visiting Kyoto, I’d absolutely recommend doing this. I was not expecting how much attention you get! Random tourists kept stopping me all day to ask for photos, which was pretty funny.
The Rental Process
I walked into Okamoto in the Higashiyama district without a reservation and it worked out great. I liked being in Higashiyama so I could step right out into the historic streets. During peak season, I’d recommend booking ahead since popular shops can fill up.
First, you choose your kimono which is the most fun part. There are so many to choose from, rows and rows of silk in every color and pattern you can think of, and you could easily spend thirty minutes just browsing through them all. I went with a blue one with pink florals that I loved!
Getting dressed takes a while because there are so many layers, but the ladies in the store know what they’re doing and it’s so exciting to watch it all come together. I also got my hair done, which I’d really recommend. They had preset hairstyles to choose from, and mine turned out so pretty with little flowers pinned in! The whole process took about forty-five minutes so don’t plan anything too tight right after. Fair warning though, taking it off by yourself later takes forever. I spent a good thirty minutes struggling with it that night and putting it back on the next morning took just as long.
The traditional sandals take some getting used to and the toe socks especially feel weird at first. But I climbed all the way up Fushimi Inari in mine so it’s totally doable.
I did an overnight rental so I could shoot photos the next morning too, and I’m so glad I did. The streets are practically empty at sunrise, everything is quiet and glowing, and you get this whole second day of photos in completely different light. It cost around $50 for the full 24-hour rental which I thought was a great deal. If you have even one morning free, I’d say the overnight is absolutely worth it.
If you want to book your kimono rental ahead of time, here are a few options in Kyoto.
Wearing a Kimono Through Higashiyama
Stepping outside in a kimono immediately changes the way you move. The fabric is heavier than you’d think, and the obi keeps your posture upright so you end up taking smaller steps and walking way slower than usual.
I spent the morning walking around Higashiyama starting with Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka. The whole area is old wooden buildings, stone-paved streets winding uphill, and little shops tucked into every corner, and it’s one of the prettiest neighborhoods I’ve ever walked through. Wearing a kimono here just makes sense.
Higashiyama is so photogenic, with paper lanterns hanging outside every shop and latticed wooden windows lining the streets. You don’t even have to try to find a good photo spot here.
Yasaka Pagoda
Yasaka Pagoda is the iconic image of this neighborhood. You can see it peeking above the rooftops as you walk uphill, and then you turn a corner and there it is in full view. I wanted to get a kimono shot here but it was way too crowded, so I came back another day without one. Still gorgeous though.
Wearing a Kimono to Fushimi Inari
After Higashiyama, I made my way south to Fushimi Inari and I’m so glad I did because the kimono looks amazing against the bright red torii gates. If you’re doing both in the same day, I’d really recommend it.
The crowds thin out a lot past the first major intersection, so if you keep going you’ll get way better photos. The gate tunnels make for some of the coolest shots of the whole day.
The light inside the torii tunnels is gorgeous too. It comes through the gaps between the gates and makes everything look warm and golden, with the red paint almost glowing around you. I spent way more time here than I planned because I kept finding new angles.
Best Photo Spots in a Kimono
If you’re renting a kimono specifically for photographs (no judgment, I absolutely did), here are the spots I’d prioritize.
- Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka. Go early for the best light and fewer people.
- Yasaka Pagoda street. The classic view looking uphill at the pagoda. Golden hour is perfect for this one.
- Higashiyama temple entrances. The trees near temple entrances are great for framing.
- Fushimi Inari torii tunnels. The deeper you go, the fewer people there are and the better the photos get.
⛩️ Visiting Fushimi Inari too? I wrote a full guide to Fushimi Inari with tips on timing, the upper trail, and what to expect!
📸 Looking for more photo spots? Check out my full guide to the most photogenic spots in Kyoto for even more ideas!
🎋 Visiting Arashiyama too? Don’t miss the Kimono Forest, 600 glowing pillars that look incredible at night!
Practical Tips
Book ahead. During peak seasons like spring and autumn foliage, popular shops fill up days in advance. Most have English-language websites.
Budget about 3,000 to 5,000 yen. Premium fabrics and hair styling push it higher but the base experience is very affordable.
You’ll have it for the full day. Most shops require return by 5pm or 6pm. I covered Higashiyama and Fushimi Inari in a single rental period with time to spare.
Wear comfortable shoes. Most shops provide traditional geta sandals which look beautiful but aren’t ideal for stone paths or the uphill stretches at Fushimi Inari. I switched between geta for photos and my own flats for longer walks.
Bring a small bag. You won’t have pockets. Many shops offer a drawstring bag that looks cute with the kimono.
Was It Worth It?
It was absolutely worth it. The photos alone would have justified the cost, but honestly it was just such a fun experience on top of that. Higashiyama and Fushimi Inari were both amazing for completely different reasons and I got to see them in a way I never would have otherwise. If you’re visiting Kyoto, I really think renting a kimono is one of the best things you can do!
