Where to Rent Kimonos in Kyoto

Last month, I posted our Kyoto Photobook where we strolled around Kyoto in kimonos, and for this week’s Friday Five, I will share with you where to rent kimonos in Kyoto!

I will review the place we rented from, as well as provide several alternatives from my research (don’t let my effort go to waste!)

We visited Kyoto during one of the busiest periods of the year, the sakura season. But due to brilliant procrastination, we only finalized plans less than a week before the trip, and it was a frantic race trying to score a reservation for kimono rental because it was fully booked everywhere! >_<

Fortunately, there was ONE place that still had openings for a morning slot, so I grabbed it!

—✻—

[ website ]

Yume Kyoto was the place we rented kimonos from!

I easily made reservations online for a 9.30am slot. I’d have taken the earliest 9am slot, but it was full :(

One important reason why early slots are better (especially during the busy season) is because the selection of kimonos, obi (the sash) and accessories are on a first-come, first-served basis.

So if you come late, you’re basically choosing from other people’s leftovers o_O

It was so crowded and competitive! There were several times that the moment I returned something to the shelf, someone snatched it up o_O

Yume Kyoto offers 3 plans (on the Japanese site. It seems the English site only offers 2 plans) and the main difference between the plans is what designs you can choose from. The more expensive the plan, the more designs you can choose from. The lowest plan does not allow you to choose your kimono design as the staff will choose for you.

Since this was probably one of the rare times I was wearing a kimono, I decided to go for the most expensive 5,000 yen plan. There’s just one plan for guys at 5,000 yen.

They also offered hairstyling, so I elected for that as well!

You are given a book of designs to choose from, or if you have a hairstyle you want done, you can show it to them as well.

Here’s my hairstyle, which was a combination of their available design slightly modified to the picture I showed them.

You also get to pick one hair accessory for free ^^ (for rent only, so don’t bring it home ok!)

Yume Kyoto was located in a pretty good location. The beautiful traditional streets of Ichinen-zaka and Ninen-zaka are nearby, and we could also walk to Kiyomizu-dera and Kodai-ji. Aiya, just look at our photobook! We went everywhere on foot from this shop!

The only thing I didn’t like so much was that the items were not so well-maintained. There were slight fraying threads on my kimono, and the bag I chose was actually broken. But it was the only one with a color and design that I liked, so I took it anyway and mended it with ingenuity and some safety pins.

Oh, I also didn’t like how my obi turned out. The staff last minute went and twisted it inside out, revealing the inner grey fabric which looks like it was worn the wrong way. She said it was the style, but I don’t like it :( Destroyed my purple-black coordination plan!

But otherwise, the service was quite professional. The lady outfitted me in my kimono in record time (probably took about 20 mins?) despite the many layers and tight tying she had to do.

We were told to return the kimono by 9pm (we returned it at 8+), which was awesome because we didn’t have to rush and had plenty of time to slowly explore :)

Kimono Plans: 3,000 yen, 4,000 yen, 5,000 yen (3 plans available on Japanese site)
Male Kimono Plan: 5,000 yen
Hairstyling: 1,500 yen
* all prices are before tax

—✻—

[ website ]

Okamoto Kimono was actually my first choice but they were fully booked :(

I liked them because they had a wide range of kimonos and also showed pictures of the actual kimono designs. They take photos of their customers (which means I can also ask them to take for us!) and I like the backdrop hahaha. See the photos here!

Kimono Plans: 3,000 yen, 4,000 yen, 5,000 yen
Male Kimono Plan: 4,000 yen
Hairstyling: 500 yen
* all prices are before tax

—✻—

[ website ]

Tekuteku Kyoto has rather unique kimono designs and I was especially drawn to the fact that their kimonos are silk instead of the usual polyester. The back part of the kimonos with the sash was also more elaborate and prettier!

But ugh, they were fully booked on the day I wanted to visit too -_-

Kimono Plan: 4,980 yen
Male Kimono Plan: 4,980 yen
Hairstyling: 1,020 yen
* all prices are before tax

—✻—

[ website ]

Yumeyakata’s main appeal was… the price lol. It’s the cheapest of all the shops I’ve come across!

edit (7/12): Yumeyaka increased their pries from 2,500 yen to 3,500 yen

edit 2: I went to Kyoto again in winter and rented from Yumeyakata. Overall, I think I prefer Yumeyakata over Yume Kyoto because it’s bigger and a lot more organized. But Yume Kyoto’s location can’t be beat!

Kimono Plan: 3,500 yen (reservations required. otherwise it’s 5,000 yen)
Male Kimono Plan: 3,500 yen (reservations required)
Couple Plan: 6,500 yen
Hairstyling: 1,500 yen (reservations required. otherwise it’s 2,500 yen)
* all prices are before tax

—✻—

[ website ]

Kyoto Gionya was the 4th shop I contacted, and you probably know the drill by now… they told me they were fully booked too -_-

They have a couple plan, so you can save a tiny bit ^^

I like that they take photos of their customers too, so you can see the actual kimono designs! View the gallery here.

Kimono Plan: 3,000 yen, 4,000 yen, 5,000 yen
Male Kimono Plan: 5,000 yen
Couple Plan: 7,500 yen
Hairstyling: 1,000 yen
* all prices are before tax

—✻—

Hope this post was helpful!

Some last notes: Kimono rentals are only during the colder months. During summer, yukatas, which are made of lighter and more cooling fabric are available instead.

Also note that prices above are accurate at the time of writing, but check the respective websites for updated prices. Prices quoted are for kimonos, but almost all shops offer furisode (long-sleeved kimonos) and hakama (kimono pants). Of course, prices are higher, but are nice options to explore!

Ahh, I’d love to wear a hakama someday!