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For First-Time Kimono Renters in Kyoto Gion
If this is your first time renting a kimono in Kyoto’s Gion area, it’s natural to feel a bit uncertain. To help you feel at ease, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide covering the rental process, FAQs, things to keep in mind, and our recommended sightseeing spots around Gion. We hope this page will be helpful for anyone renting a kimono in Gion for the first time.
Contents
Kimono Rental set Waraku in Gion, Kyoto
Women:
Kimono / Obi(Sash) / Nagajuban(Undergarment) / innerwear / Geta(Sandals) / Tabi(Socks) / hair accessory / Drawstring bag + dressing + hair set + free baggage storage
Men:
Kimono / Haori(jacket) / Obi(Sash) / half juban(Undergarment) / Suteteko pants / Tabi(Socks) / Geta(Sandals) / Drawstring bag + dressing + baggage storage
At Gion Kimono Rental Waraku, all rental plans include both a full kimono set and accessories, along with free luggage storage. For women, hair styling that matches the kimono is also included, allowing for complete kimono coordination. Upon arrival, we provide a large bag for your clothing and personal items. Suitcases can also be stored for a small fee of ¥550.
Required time from arrival to departure
Please allow about 45 minutes to 1.5 hours for the entire process, including check-in and selecting your kimono and accessories. During peak seasons, it may take a little longer. The best time to visit is 9:30 AM, when our stock of kimonos and accessories is at its highest.
About Our Optional Add-Ons
At Waraku, we offer a variety of stylish and cute add-ons to elevate your kimono look! From timeless essentials to trendy accessories, just one item can completely transform your outfit. Whether you’re wearing a lace kimono or a retro-style one, our accessories are a perfect match.
- Lace collar
- Lace gloves
- Lace sleeves
- Obijime
- Tulle Hyougo obi (a wrinkled decorative sash worn over an obi)
- Obiage
- Return next day option
- Layered collar (collar decoration)
Prices range from ¥550 to ¥1,100.
Notes to keep in mind when renting kimonos in Gion, Kyoto
Are there any restrictions on the kimonos you can choose from based on plans?
Some kimono rental stores rank their prices according to the type and popularity of the kimono, so you may not be able to rent the kimono you want with a cheap plan, or you may not be able to choose a few kimonos, or end up having to change to a more expensive plan. In addition, there are cases where popular kimonos are set in expensive plans, so you need to be careful. Especially for those who want to choose from many kinds of kimonos, we recommend you to go to a store that does not have a ranked kimono plan.
In our caseThe price is the same no matter which kimono you choose. There are more than 500 types of kimonos to choose from, even those that are priced higher at other stores and lace kimonos that tend to be optional. If you want to choose a kimono in Gion without worrying about the price, we recommend Gion Kimono Rental Waraku.
We’ve heard of cases where customers were charged unreasonably high fees after accidentally staining a kimono or accessory.
We’ve heard of an unfortunate case (outside Gion) where a customer was charged an unreasonably high fee for a minor drink stain on a rental kimono at a shop run by a foreign owner. Although the fee was clearly excessive, the customer ended up paying it. This incident happened when someone who booked with us accidentally went to the wrong shop. As a fellow rental service, we strongly believe such practices should never be tolerated. The case mentioned here is an actual case that occurred when a customer who made a reservation at our store entered a different store by mistake. As the same kimono rental store, this kind of behavior should never be tolerated.
At our store,We offer Kimono Insurance (330 yen), which is a system to compensate for any stains or damages on the kimono and accessories. Customers who purchase this insurance are covered for almost everything, so you can rest assured that you will be covered for any stains or damage that may occur during the kimono rental process.
It is close to the station, but does it have good access to tourist attractions?
Basically, most kimono rental stores in Gion are located near Gion-Shijo Station. Many people think, “Well, since it’s close to the station, of course it must be close to the tourist attractions.” Some kimono rental stores may be close to the station but away from the main street, or they may be located at the opposite end of the station where the main tourist attractions are located. Even if they are close to the station, not having good access to the main tourist attractions can be a little inconvenient if you are on a tight travel schedule because of the extra time it takes to get there. Also, after renting a kimono, we understand you would like to stroll around the city feeling like a tourist.
At our store,just a minute walk from Gion-Shijo station and located near Gion-Shirakawa, Yasaka Shrine and Kamo-gawa River, which is perfect for exploring Gion in kimono. You can rent a kimono and go sightseeing right away, and the bustling town of Gion is just a short walk away. Popular places to eat and drink are just a short walk away, so you can enjoy kimono rentals while feeling the atmosphere of Gion.
Rental Flows
1. Reservations:
You can make reservations anytime, anywhere, 24 hours a day through “Web Reservations”. Select the dates you wish to reserve, choose your preferred plan, fill in the required information, and click “Submit Reservation”. When you receive a reservation completion Email, your reservation is complete. You can cancel or change your reservation from the URL in the reservation confirmation Email.
2. Visit / reception
When you arrive at the store, please tell us the name of the reservation. After filling out the reception form, we will check you in first. We will give you a large baggage bag to store your clothes and bags.
3. Kimono / accessories selection
Some kimono rental agencies rank their prices according to the type of kimono and popularity of the kimono, so you may not be able to rent the kimono you want with a cheap plan, or you may not have many kimono to choose from, or you may end up having to change to a more expensive plan. In addition, there are cases where popular kimonos are set in expensive plans, so you need to be careful. However, you don’t have to worry about those things at our store.
4. dressing / hair set
Once you have selected your kimono and accessories, you will move on to dressing and hair set. Dressing and hair-set will take about 15 minutes each. It will also take time to put on and take off your clothes and change your luggage, so please allow plenty of time for this. The entire process takes approximately one hour.
Please see “Time from Visit to Departure” for details.
5. Departure
Once you have checked in your baggage, You are ready to go. Our store is located near the main sightseeing spots in Gion, Kyoto, making it the perfect place to explore the city in kimono. You can go anywhere you like during the rental period.
6. Return
The last return time is 5:30pm, just make sure you are back by then. Busy return time is from 16:30 to 17:30. Please allow a little extra time for return.
Q&A for concerns about kimono rental at Kyoto Gion Store
Q Can I make a same-day reservation?
A Web reservations can be made up to one hour before the reserved time. You can check online for available appointment times. We also accept same-day reservations by phone, but we may not be able to accept reservations on the day of the appointment due to overcrowding. Please understand in advance.
Q Is there anything I need in advance?
A Gion Kimono Rental Waraku’s Kimono Plan is all included price. Luggage storage is also free of charge, so you can use the service without carrying so much. However, during the cold winter season, it may be better to come wearing inner wear. You may also bring your own stoles and scarves.
Q What is the maximum height?
A Women’s height ranges from 145 to 175 cm, and men’s height ranges from 155 to 190 cm. We also have sandals and geta in larger sizes, so you do not have to worry about it.
Q Until when can I cancel or change my reservation?
A If you cancel up to the day before, no cancellation fee will be charged. Cancellations can be made from the URL in the “Confirmation E-mail” sent at the time of reservation. If you wish to change your reservation, please make a new reservation after you cancel.
Q Do you have make-up service?
A Unfortunately, not.
5 Recommended Sightseeing Spots in Kimono in Gion
Yasaka Shrine
Located a 5-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Line, this is the head shrine of more than 2,000 Yasaka shrines throughout Japan. It is one of the most popular tourist spots in the Higashiyama area of Kyoto, and is a must-visit place for those who rent kimonos in Gion. The Gion Festival, one of the three major festivals in Japan, is held at this Yasaka Shrine. The bright vermilion color of the main shrine pavilion is a perfect match for retro-style kimonos and is sure to be a photo-worthy sight! In addition to the main hall, which is designated as a national treasure, there are 29 other important cultural properties within the shrine grounds, making it the most powerful spot in Japan where you can feel the history and atmosphere of Japan. This is a place that is visited by many people strolling in kimonos in Gion, so be sure to visit.
Yasaka Koshindo
“Yasaka Koshindo” is famous for its colorful Kuguri monkeys that look great on Social Media. Many people who rent kimonos in Gion take pictures with these Kuguri monkeys in the background. Kuguri Sarus can be purchased for 500 yen each, and they are often sold out by evening. It is said that if you write down your wish, tie it to the hall and dedicate it, your wish will come true. It is a photogenic spot to visit when strolling around in kimonos in Gion.
Kiyomizu Temple
Kiyomizu Temple is another recommended spot for a Kyoto kimono walk, although it is a short 20-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Line. Kiyomizu Temple is a World Heritage site, and the “Kiyomizu-no-Butai” (stage of Kiyomizu) is a well known spot. The temple is a perfect place for couples on a kimono date or for a stroll with friends wearing kimono. In addition, Jishu Shrine, which is said to be beneficial for matchmaking and romantic fulfillment, is located on the temple grounds and is crowded with many young women. Kiyomizu-zaka, the approach to Kiyomizu Temple, is lined with many souvenir shops, where you can enjoy photogenic Japanese sweets. Kiyomizu Temple is also a popular spot for women who rent kimonos, so please be sure to visit.
Kamo River
Kamo River, famous for cooling down and relaxing, is a short walk from Gion-Shijo Station. It is a 2-minute walk from our branch! It is a perfect place for a kimono date for couples, and during the summer (May 1 to September 30), restaurants facing the river offer “Noryo Doko”, a traditional summer scene in Kyoto with nearly 100 stores lining the river. We offer yukata rentals during the summer season, so why not take a stroll along the Kamo River in a yukata with your friends or as a couple?
Hanamikoji
One of the best places to eat and walk in Gion, Kyoto is “Hanamikoji”
One of the best places to eat and walk in Gion, Kyoto is “Hanamikoji”
It is the main street of Gion, lined with photogenic and popular sweets stores and long-established Japanese sweets stores. You can enjoy eating and drinking while strolling in kimono, and there are also many restaurants in the area, so you will have no trouble finding a place to eat. The highlight of Hanamikoji Street is the rows of machiya (traditional Kyoto townhouses). It is a popular sightseeing spot where you can enjoy the atmosphere of Kyoto, as you may see maiko and geiko on their way to their teahouses (ochashiki). It is an essential place for a kimono stroll in Gion, so why don’t you enjoy walking around this area?
Recommended Kimono Plans for Kimono Rentals in Gion
Gion Kimono Student Discount Plan
Our most popular student discount plan is a great kimono plan available to students regardless of age or nationality. It includes a complete set of kimono rental and accessories with a hair set to match the kimono, and baggage storage is free, so you can use the plan without any baggage. The student discount plan, which is available for about 500 yen less than the regular rental plan, allows you to choose from more than 500 types of kimonos, and the price is the same no matter which one you choose. You can also choose from retro and lace kimonos popular in Gion, Kyoto, and a wide variety of retro-modern, dull, pop, and classic patterns. You can use them for a wide range of purposes, including use with friends, group activities, and graduation trips for students. Our student discount plan is recommended if you want to use cute kimono rentals at a reasonable price.
Romantic Gion Kimono Rental Plan for Couples
Looking for the perfect kimono date in Kyoto? Our Gion Couple Kimono Plan is an excellent choice for couples who want to stroll the charming streets of Gion in traditional style—without breaking the bank. This special package includes full kimono and accessory rentals for two people, with free baggage storage included. For women, the package also features a professional hair styling service tailored to match the kimono, so you can enjoy a complete and polished look from head to toe. We don’t just focus on women’s kimonos—our men’s selection is just as stylish and carefully curated. From classic, chic styles to more modern and cool designs, there’s something for everyone. Pair your kimono with a haori jacket to create a unique, fashionable look that turns heads. Capture unforgettable moments in coordinated kimono outfits that perfectly complement the historic beauty of Gion. Make your Kyoto date truly special with this popular couple-friendly rental plan.
