Wearing a Kimono is on most people’s list when they visit Japan. This is why, in large cities or touristy locations, you will see many shops that offer a ‘quick and easy’ Kimono experience. This may be okay if you don’t have time or if you just want a few selfies to keep as memories, but most of these places use cheap imported materials, which are not what most people in Japan would call a proper Kimono.
The area just north of Tokyo used to have a thriving silk industry and locals are eager to show off their proud heritage. If you have time, we recommend taking a short trip out of Tokyo to visit these areas for an authentic Kimono experience using good quality materials.
40 min from Tokyo
Japanese: 小山市（栃木県）
Along with Japan’s bountiful traditional cultural experiences, 👘wearing kimono stands out as an experience that travelers cannot miss!
Inscribed on 🏛️UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, wearing a high-grade silk textile Yuki-tsumugi Kimono will become your most authentic 🎨 cultural experience in Japan!
‘Oyama Honba Yuki Tsumugi Craft Museum’ outside JR Oyama station offers a wild variety of different Kimonos with the finest-quality for visitors to rent 💗. A dressing assistant will help you put the kimono on and you’re ready to go 🎀! ⏳
What are you waiting for? Let the unique handmade Yuki-tsumugi 👘 kimono take you back into history and 👣walk around the nearby Suga shrine for some 📸photo ops!
Operators
– Oyama Honba Yuki Tsumugi Craft Museum
This information was correct at the time of publishing, but please check with the attractions and/or the tourist board before traveling.
40 min from Tokyo
Japanese: 川越市（埼玉県）
Have you ever 💭wondered how Japan looked like back in its golden 🏯 Edo era?
Come to Kawagoe, a place that will take you back in Japan’s old times with its well-preserved Edo-period 🍁 ambiance. What’s the perfect match for Kawagoe’s traditional Japanese style old clay warehouses and 🏡 merchant homes? A 👘 Kimono 👘 !
📅 Every month on the days that end with 8 (8th, 18th & 28th) it is Kimono Day in Kawagoe, and visitors in wearing Kimonos are treated to discounts at cafes and museums 😀
Want to experience time traveling in real life? The irresistible Kawagoe is the place you’re looking for 🎈!
Operators
– Yuzu-ya
-Kimono-ya Sara
This information was correct at the time of publishing, but please check with the attractions and/or the tourist board before traveling.
Japanese: 足利市（栃木県）
Want to be the center of 📸attention? You should try out Japan’s delicate 👘Kimonos or 🛡️Samurai armor!
👘Once flourished in the textile industry, Ashikaga offers one of the best quality Kimonos in the country. The city has its original Kimono called 🏯‘Ashikaga Meisen’ with unique characteristics and innovative patterns.
Imagine strolling around the historical Ashikaga city including ‘Ashikaga Gakko’ (the oldest school in Japan), Bannaji Temple and Orihime Shrine in fabulous traditional Japanese 🎀garment.
Ashikaga’s Tourist information center not only showcases textile-related exhibitions such as traditional weaving machines but also offers Kimono rental service to help you become the 📸focus of the spotlight!
Come and pick your own exclusive 👘Kimono (or Samurai armor) and have a fun day in Ashikaga!
Operators
– Ashikaga Machinaka Yugakukan
This information was correct at the time of publishing, but please check with the attractions and/or the tourist board before traveling.
Japanese: 桐生市（群馬県）
Ever wanted to try on high-quality 👘kimonos?
Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to walk around in a 💜beautiful kimono in Kiryu, a city known for its traditional textiles! You’ll get to learn the proper way of wearing kimonos, an art in itself.✨
The city of Kiryu has a long history of textile production, which can be seen in its historical buildings like the sawtooth roof mills and warehouses for storing silk. What a 😍precious experience it will be to walk through this historical site in a ✨gorgeous kimono!
Don’t forget to take millions of 📸pictures!
(1) Take the Tohoku Shinkanse to Oyama stattion and change to the JR Ryomo Line to Kiryu Station.
(2) Take the Jyoetsu Shinkansen to Takasaki Station and change to the JR Ryomo Line to Kiryu Station.
*(1)&(2) both leave from Tokyo and Ueno Stations so take the first one.
[By train (Tobu & JR Line)]Take the Tobu Nikko Line (express) or Tobu Kinugawa Line (express) to Tochigi station and change to the JR Ryomo Line to Kiryu Station.
1 hour 50min (JR only)
2 hours (Tobu & JR Line)
JR Kiryu Station
2min walk from Kiryu station
2-1810-17 Tomoe-cho, Kiryu-city, Gunma Pref. 376-0021
This information was correct at the time of publishing, but please check with the attractions and/or the tourist board before traveling.
Japanese: 結城市（茨城県）
The 👘kimono has been worn proudly in ⛩Japan for generations. Now you can wear one too!
Dress up and take a 👣stroll around Yuki’s beautifully preserved shopping streets. It’s as if you’re in a 😆period drama!
Best of all, these 👘kimonos are made of 😍luxurious Yuki-tsumugi silk. The Shogun wouldn’t wear anything else❗️ With its 😌gentle and 🌡️warm texture, you won’t want to take it off again.
Stop by on the weekend and rent your 👘kimono from the tourist ℹ️information center. They’ll even help you put it on!
Yuki City Tourism Association
Tel +81 (0)296-34-0421
External website (PDF, Japanese – Official)
External website (Japanese City’s Page – Official)
External Website (Japanese Tourist Association Page – Official)
Yuki Tsumugi Kituke Dokoro,
1st Floor, Yuki Shimin Jyohou Center,
1-1-1 Kokubu-cho, Yuki-city, Ibaraki Pref 307-0051 Japan
Yuki City Tourism Association
Tel +81 (0)296-34-0421
External website (Japanese – 2019 Official)
External website (Japanese – 2019Official)
This information was correct at the time of publishing, but please check with the attractions and/or the tourist board before traveling.
Discover all the Culture and History Activities near Tokyo here.
Why not also visit an Onsen village (hot spring) to relax in while in Japan?
(click on the links to see more)
