There are benefits to wearing a kimono while sightseeing in Tokyo, especially with your friends, or even if you’re traveling alone.
Japan is a country that knows how to hold on to traditions and celebrate local cultures with annual festivals and historic shrines and temples waiting to be found all over the place, including in major cities like Tokyo. While it’s one thing to explore the traditional sights and sounds of the city while dressed in everyday Western clothes, it’s another entire experience to visit famous historic sites while dressed in traditional clothing.
Gazing up at pagodas and praying at sacred temples while dressed in kimono helps take you back to the time when these historic buildings were first built, and creates a deeper bond with the culture, which international tourists and locals both appreciate.
But what if you want to step into a kimono robe while you’re sightseeing on your own? It’s a daunting prospect for any traveler, particularly foreigners. However, you don’t have to worry because Japanese people appreciate it when they see you in their traditional clothing. The Western idea of cultural appropriation almost doesn’t exist in Japan.
The first difficulty for anyone wanting to rent a kimono in Tokyo is choosing the right place. However, our experience was as smooth as butter when I booked our kimono rental appointment via KLOOK.
KLOOK offers several kimono rental experiences but I chose the shop located at Taito City called Ai Wafuku.
Looking back, I still can’t believe that I only paid Php4,758.00 for a 1-day kimono for 3 persons. The package includes kimonos and other accessories (obi band, undershirt, bag, socks, & sandals), a professional dressing service, a simple hair set, hair ornaments, and luggage storage.
Using the KLOOK app, I booked our appointment online and only took me a few minutes to arrange everything.
The staff are super great! They are all nice to us, and they smile a lot seeing my Australian little friends with me. They have hundreds of kimonos available, and if you feel overwhelmed with the selections, they are happy to give you suggestions of what kimono designs suit you best.
However, they only offer kimonos for females.
TECHNICALLY, WE ARE WEARING A YUKATA - BUT YUKATA IS ANOTHER TYPE OF KIMONO.
Ai Wafuku Kimono Rental is the most affordable kimono rental shop available via KLOOK.
The time it took to set out fully dressed in kimono after entering the store came to a total of 30 minutes. I was incredibly impressed by the speedy turnaround, especially since tourists are often strapped for time, and after being given each bag to match our outfits, we are ready to explore the area around Sensoji.
Since we’ve already taken our breakfast before heading to the kimono shop, I arranged to visit the local cate café in Asakusa. It only took us 7-mins to walk from the kimono shop walking along the Umamichi Dori Street, while admiring many shops around.
Unlike the Melbourne Cat Café where they offer a menu of cakes and drinks for the guests, during our visit to the Asakusa Cat Café only got cat food and treats are available that you can buy to give to the cats. The entrance fee is quite expensive as well, which is quite a disappointment, but we just brushed it off and thought of it as a donation. The cat lady seems nice and loves these many rescue cats.
The whole place is quite small for more than 10 cats, including their cat beds and other stuff, which in my opinion is quite cluttered. Nonetheless, this doesn’t stop us from enjoying the experience and made me convince myself that I do love to have one (or two) cats of my own!
After devouring our feelings with these Japanese feline friends, we decided to head back and explore the Sensoji Temple.
The Aussie kids are surprisingly tolerable with this new experience. Along the way, I am obliged to teach them the dos and don’ts while we are in Tokyo, and how to act while we are wearing their traditional clothing. We don’t want to be the head-turning in a negative way.
I’m a very auspicious person which is why I indulged in making a wish and knowing my good luck charm at the temple. The kids are happy to know their luck as well.
Aside from admiring the whole surrounding, how grand the temples are built, etc., those many shops also caught our eyes (and our pockets!) The kids love it so much, they bought heaps of souvenirs for their friends back in Australia. Lots of tourists around, and they are all starting at us girls coz not many tourists indulged in wearing the kimono.
Good thing that these kids are such a good sport. I noticed several tourists asking for a picture with them, even a few say they both look like a doll. I realized that wearing this traditional clothing is a great way to break the ice and start a conversation with many tourists from around the world.
We spent about two hours exploring the sights of Sensoji and felt connected to the historic monuments in a way I hadn’t experienced before. I felt like a woman from the Edo Period (1603-1868), or even earlier in history, given that the temple was first established in 645.
More pictures!
The girls get tired as well, and it is okay to be barefoot like a real Aussie.
My husband decided to dress up too in a Dragon Ball – Z costume (we bought it from Donki), which gives him celebrity status and lots of photo opportunities from tourists, even local Japanese! Pretty amazing!
Ai Wafuku Kimono Rental is open daily from 9:00AM to 6:00PM. You can book your kimono rental thru their website by visiting KLOOK for more discounted packages.
We had an amazing time and made me inspire to own a kimono as well. Maybe one of these days, I will make my own from scratch, and wear it here in Australia!
Store Information
Ai Wafuku Kimono Rental / 着物レンタル 浅草愛和服 2号店 【浅草駅】
Address: Japan, 〒111-0033 Tokyo, Taito City, Hanakawado, 1 Chome−11−4 NWビル
Hours: 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. every day
Website: https://aiwafuku.com/
That sounds so fun to do! I haven't been in Japan but I might wear kimonos too if I ever I visit there.
ReplyDeleteI love their kimonos, and yukatas! I am thinking of making my own using the fabrics I've got recently.
DeleteA great place to visit and such exciting activities to do. I will surely enjoy that place.
ReplyDeleteThat is true! I found spiritual healing in visiting their shrines.
DeleteI always dream to visit Japan. I have a cousin there who always share amazing scenery from the country as if you're looking at postcards or those glossy travel magazines. This must be an awesome experience. Wearing kimono as you explore the place seems like a fun thing to do. It seems like a best way to embrace their colorful culture and that cat cafe is nothing more but adorable ❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteYes, and there is no cultural appropriation! Japanese people appreciates a lot whenever they see locals and tourists wearing their traditional clothes. It also make me feel more humble and understand more of their culture. In addition to its vibrant colors and design!
DeleteYou look Gorgeous! Ive tried renting kimono too in Tokyo and it was such a great experience
ReplyDeleteWe were delighted to use KLOOK and found this kimono shop that allows us to rent kimonos for a super affordable price. The locals we've met are surprised too learning how cheap it was! They said that is very surprising and its good value.
DeleteIt's a good idea to don the local attire if you are exploring a certain area. It will give you a better feel of the local atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteWhen I go back to the Philippines, I should wear our local traditional dresses too!
DeleteThat would be nice! Haha. Patriotism at it's best but I guess you should do it this month when it's Buwan ng Wika. Haha.
DeleteThis seems so cute.I'd love to do this!
ReplyDeleteI would love to try to wear kimono during winter season. I heard that they use more layers of garment and more thicker!
DeleteI absolutely love kimonos and I've dreamed about wearing one! My husband and I plan to travel to Japan once it's safe to do so and I want to participate in this rental.
ReplyDeleteThat moment when we saw many smiles from the people around us admiring our kimonos warms our heart. We felt very welcomed.
DeleteThis is indeed an amazing experience! My friend also told me this. Wearing the traditional kimono and roaming around feels surreal. I hope I can experience this too!
ReplyDeleteAnd everyone seems looks good in kimono!
DeleteI miss Asakusa a lot! I have been there 4x in my life. Can't wait to visit it after the pandemic. PS: I love your kimono.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome, and I bet you had a wonderful travel experiences.
DeleteWow...you are simply divine in your kimonos! It's nice to know of places you can rent from these attires! Thanks for taking my around Asakusa, Blair!
ReplyDeletefor sure if i have an opportunity to do that, id walk around in a kimono too!! is this a new trip? lucky for you being able to travel!
ReplyDeleteBTW im waiting for your diy kimono!
This was our trip back in 2019.
DeleteThat looks like a wonderful place to visit and I'm sure the family would love this. That must've been an amazing experience.
ReplyDeleteYes it is and we are excited to visit japan again by next year.
DeleteOooh I haven't tried Klook for anything before. I've been wondering how that one fares. Love your kimonos, too! Cool idea for the husband to dress up in Dragonball, too!
ReplyDeleteKLOOK offers many deals as well for Japan trips. That Dragon Ballz costume was bought from Donki :)
DeleteWow! Totally love the idea of wearing a kimono!! Japan is like one of my go to places and wearing one while touring just amps up the experience!
ReplyDeleteTotally cool! I'm thinking of wearing our traditional clothing when we visit our famous old cities soon.
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