I could never forget that wonderful feeling when I woke up in Kyoto's airbnb... I'm yearning for another vacation trip soon!
It was our 2nd day in Kyoto and we decided to rent Kimono for the day. Chance upon Kyoto Kimono Rental (Wargo) and decided to book our Kimono set online at a cheaper price.
How to purchase from Kyoto Kimono Rental online prior to your trip
1. Visit their website here - https://kyotokimono-rental.com/en/
Before you check their price plans, please watch out for any ongoing promotion on their homepage! I took advantage of their previous promotion and the details are as follows:
- Premium Kimono Plan (Women)* for 3,900yen
- Plan for Men for 2,900yen
*Plan includes the following: Kimono, Underwear for Kimono, Obi, Bag, Japanese Sandal, Kanzashi (hair piece)
I opted for the additional hair service for 900yen! There's only 1 choice for men so their selection is uninteresting.. I shall not elaborate further on that aspect as they do not have standard/premium/high-end/brand classification unlike women. For your information, the premium plan that I chose is the 2nd cheapest option.
They also have the option of pre-booking the Kimono design online or you may choose the Kimono at their physical shop. I chose the latter as their online design is not appealing enough.
Please also note that upon selecting the plans online, you have to indicate your height range as well 😆 All of us are not tall enough la so we choose the lowest range. Ok actually they only have 2 range for you to choose...
2. Select the preferred outlet and timing
Wargo Kimono Rental has more than 10 branches all over Japan. Take your time to do research on every outlet as your residing area and the intended places of interest to visit varies. For my case, I chose the Kyoto station outlet as it is very convenient to move around the temples and castles.
As for the timing, you might want to choose the early slots in order to maximise the time spent outside. You have to return your Kimono and other accessories to the same shop 1 or 2 hours before the closing time. However, if you choose the earliest timing (9.00am), there will be an additional surcharge. I chose the 10.00am slot at no surcharge but the shop was quite crowded at that timing... haha
3. Make your payment and print out your email confirmation
They also provide additional services i.e. Photoshoot and accessories at a price but we did not proceed with any. Hence, I'm unable to give a review regarding this.
The overview of the shop
Spot the selection of Japanese Sandals, bags, scarf and Kimono selection!
"Walk-in" wardrobe classified according to standard, premium and high-end!
They do provide recycling bag at the bottom left-hand corner without any charge
Umbrellas available for rent
Bags selection
Do note that they will indicate the range of bags available according to the plan you've purchased.
Hair services right behind the wardrobe area!
4. Getting ready for your exclusive Kimono rental experience
You gotta remove your shoes upon entering the shop. They will provide 1 recycling bag per pax (as explained above) to keep your personal belongings with a locker attached to it. You are required to sign an indemnity form and a fee will be imposed should you lose the locker key.
Here are some tips which I've learnt and could be beneficial to those who have not tried Kimono rental service:
- Dress as light as possible - strongly discourage jeans
- Try not to wear socks as they provide Japanese Tabi socks - a separation between the big toe and other toes
- Try not to bring too many loose items
- Try not to bring along bulky items
- Don't bother to style your hair (if you're opting for hair services)
- Apply an adequate amount of makeup as the bag may not be huge enough for your cosmetics
This was my first experience and the naive me thought that wearing a Kimono is just like an outerwear - I'm terribly wrong and hopefully you won't make the same mistake like I did. 😛
Firstly, you are required to put on the underwear for Kimono (a thin white blouse) with your undies on ONLY. It was a culture shock for 3 of us as we had to remove our shirt, including our Bra okay lololol. I wore my jeans and I had such a tough time undressing!!!
Secondly, the service attendant will put on the Kimono and Obi for you - just stand still and let them do the work.
After you've donned the Kimono with Obi, you'll proceed with the additional service if applicable. Otherwise, you may select your bag/Japanese sandals and you are good to go!
P.S. I had a difficult time walking along the streets with the Kimono as you can't walk in big steps. Time to be a demure woman again... 😁
I think we look Kawaii here HAHAHA 🙊
Our first destination is Fushimi Inari-taisha aka Orange bamboo shrine. We took the train from Kyoto station to Inari station (JR Nara Line). I remember that there 2 platforms for JR Nara Line and we almost took the wrong train as the train is not stopping at Inari station 😱 Please check with the friendly security guard or just follow the huge crowd if you're too shy to seek help.
Once you've reached Inari station, you can NEVER get lost on your way to Fushimi Inari-taisha as the entrance is smacked right opposite the station!
They do not have an entrance fee so feel free to roam around the shrine at your own pace!
Monkey see Monkey do - just rinse your hands at the purification fountain near the shrine's entrance!
They have a food street right beside the shrine - MY FAVOURITE CHICKEN KARAAGE!!!
I can't stop eating in Japan leh how? LOL
Look at the gorgeous cherry blossom beside the lake!!!
Everything is just too insta-worthy in Kyoto, especially during the cherry blossom season.
Asked for directions from a local and he offered to take a group shot for us!
Another passer-by stopped and spoke in Japanese that we look like Japanese, especially ME.
Totally not kidding ah, that's what the local translated her words to us HAHAHA 😇
From JR Nara Line, we transferred to Tozai Line and alighted at Nijiojo-mae station. I was quite reluctant to enter Nijio castle as there is an entrance fee of 600yen per pax. However, I guess luck is on our side as the guard ushered us to the entrance point without any entrance ticket leh! My dad used his body language to communicate with him and somewhat figured out that we can enter the castle for free if you are donning a Kimono/Yukata. WOOHOO I was jumping for joy as I didn't want to pay for the entrance fee.
Weather is so cooling, I'll snap snap snap away whenever i see cherry blossom~
Acting cute with Daddy 😜
Romantic hor? Thanks to me ahhhh
After visiting the castle, we returned our Kimono and the process was hassle-free. Never felt so carefree as the Obi needs to be tight around my waist 😅 #WoesOfAFatty
Had our Dinner at Machiya Restaurant located at Kyoto station underground then headed to Gion-shijo for a short night walk before we call it a day!
Spoilt for choices sia
Settled down at Machiya and no regrets!!
Perfect for Okonomiyaki lovers!
Sorry not sorry as I was too famished and only took 2 photos before digging in. Oishii~ and affordable as compared to Singapore's Okonomiyaki leh.
We couldn't spot a real Geisha around Gion so we call it a day and had family bonding in the airbnb apartment. How I wish it would happen again... 🙋
Check out Day 1 & 2 in Japan here
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