Kamakura Kimono Rental Waraku

Read on to assure any worries you might have about reserving on the same day.

Question
I heard that you need to reserve in advance to rent a kimono – is this true?
Answer
At Kamakura Kimono Rental Waraku, you can make your reservation on the same day. We accept same-day bookings by online form or by telephone up to 30 minutes before the time you plan to arrive, so it’s perfect for spontaneous outings or if you urgently need a kimono.
 At our store, there are no extra fees for last-minute bookings and you can get the same level of service as if you booked weeks in advance.

Question
I’m coming to Kamakura with my family, but we won’t arrive until late afternoon. Can I still rent a kimono?
Answer
At Kamakura Kimono Rental Waraku, you can arrive to the store as late as 4:00pm. To enjoy evening events like fireworks festivals in your rental clothing, add the next-day return option and then bring your kimono back to the store at any time between 9:30am to 12:00pm the next day.

Question
If I book on the same day, will there be less kimono to choose from?
Answer
At Kamakura Kimono Rental Waraku, we have a huge selection of kimono thanks to being part of a kimono rental group. We are always bringing in the latest styles, and have a wide selection of kimonos suitable for all ages, from traditional patterns to antique and retro styles, as well as modern lace kimono that are becoming more and more popular.

How to book your same-day kimono rental

① Book online by entering the number of people, arrival time, and set plan
When booking with the online form, some reservation times may be marked as fully booked with a ”X” symbol. In this case, please call us and we will see if we can fit you in, depending on the size of your group.

② Come to the store
It usually takes about 15–20 minutes to dress you in the kimono, and another 15–20 minutes to style your hair.
Please allow about an hour in total for the entire process including reception, selecting a kimono and accessories, and time to store your items. We stock around 500 kimonos at a time, so it can take some time to decide your outfit including the obi belt and accessories. Plan with plenty of time to think about your outfit. It usually takes at least 10 minutes to decide, or around 20 minutes for those who are indecisive. 
The time needed to select the kimono and accessories depends on each customer. The overall time can vary depending on the conditions that day, so the above times are only a reference.

③ Get dressed, then depart
Choose from a wide selection including retro and lace styles with no hidden costs! Our professional hair stylists are experienced in arranging short and long hair in elegant and stylish looks, so everyone can feel special head to toe.

Same-day kimono rental is perfect for spontaneous visits to Kamakura where you’ll want to experience the main attractions that the city has to offer. Kamakura Kimono Rental Waraku is just 5 minutes from Kamakura Station, located on Komachi Street in the heart of the city. Simply step outside in your kimono to start your sightseeing exploration! One must-see is Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, a short 5-minute walk from our store. Make your way to our store on Komachi Street, get your kimono, then continue your journey down Komachi Street until you reach the shrine. Other fun ideas to enjoy your kimono in Kamakura are taking the quaint Enoshima Electric Railway to Enoshima Island, or creating matching rings together for a romantic date. If you decide to make rings at a store in Kamakura, we recommend booking in advance to avoid long waiting times.

Do many people rent kimono on the same day?

Kamakura is only an hour or so from Tokyo by train, so many people from greater Tokyo decide to spontaneously come to Kamakura and rent a kimono for the day. You can even book after you arrive if you get inspired by other people enjoy the sights in kimono! Kimono rental is also a popular choice for guests from overseas to experience Japanese culture, whether with a host family or on a school trip. We have some English-speaking staff at our store, and we’ll do our best to help you out with your kimono.

Booking your same-day appointment

Point1
 Check how long it takes from reception to departure

We will confirm your booking once you arrive at the store. After that, you’ll pick out each part of your outfit, from the kimono to the obi belt, bag, hair style, and hair accessories.
It takes about 15 minutes to dress you in the kimono, and another 15 minutes to style your hair. Please allow about an hour for the entire process including reception, selecting a kimono and accessories, and time to store your items. The morning is often full with bookings, so a same-day appointment is likely to be in the afternoon. Reception closes at 4:00pm and it takes about 45 minutes to an hour to be ready to leave, so even if you arrive at the very last minute, you’ll still have 30 to 45 minutes to enjoy walking around the town. We dress customers in the order they decide their outfit, so decide quickly to make the most of your day. Our store is located on the famous Komachi Street just 5 minutes from Kamakura Station and a brief walk to major sights in Kamakura like Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, so there’s plenty to enjoy even in a short time.

Point2
 Availability of kimono on short notice

At our store, we have more than 500 styles of kimono, from simple designs to popular lace and retro looks! Even if you arrive later in the day, there are still plenty for you to choose from. We also boast a huge lineup of lace kimono in colors from classic white or black to cream, ivory, pink, blue, turquoise, khaki, brown, grey, and mixed patterns like pink and black or red and black. As well as the trending styles, we also stock a selection of rare one-of-a-kind kimono, so you can stand apart from the crowd in your personalized look. Finally, finish off your kimono outfit by adding extra accessories like lace details or belt decorations to complete your look – no advance reservation necessary.

Point3
  Use the online booking form to check for openings in real time!

You can use our online booking form to check for openings on the day and make a reservation up to 30 minutes before your arrival time. There are often some openings left outside of major Japanese holidays like the new year, so just check the availability with the form to make your booking. If you’re already on Komachi Street and want to rent a kimono straight away, you can come up to the shop and ask us about openings. We’ll do our best to accommodate you on the day, but on busy days we may be unable to fit you in.