Winter, Kimono rental in Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto.

Kimono(和服) and Geisha (芸妓) are the first two things come to mind when mentioning traditional Japanese culture. 

Kyoto is THE city you should go when visiting Japan. Here, you can buy the trendy clothing in the fancy departments, incredible cute accessories in the lovely tiny shops ( more shopping info in Kyoto: 京都購物篇), visit the hundred-aged temple-- Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺) or the golden shiny one -- Kinkakuji (金閣寺) and experience the exquisite side of Japanese culture by wearing kimono.

There are lots of kimono rent shops on Kiyomizu-zaka (清水坂), this time I chose OKAMOTO Kimono (岡本和服) for my kimono experience, OKAMOTO not only have web in English, Chinese and Korean also their staffs can speak basic English, which is quite convenient for tourists. 
Ready for the kimono experience? Let's go!!

First, make your reservation online, print it out or save in your phone, show your reservation info to the staff while check in. OKAMOTO provides three different price.

A type: ¥3150 (provide with 30 kinds of kimonos. Including hand bag, scarf and socks)

B type: ¥4200 (provide with 300 kinds of kimonos. Including hand bag, scarf and socks)

C type: ¥5250 (provide with 600 kinds of kimonos. Including hand bag, scarf, socks and coat)

Styling for hair:  ¥500 (including hair accessories), extra ¥200 for special hair style request, e.g. twist braid.

Coat: ¥ 800   

Here is the boyfriend/ husband parking area (usually it takes 30 - 40 mins for changing clothes). 

 

Questions that I've been asked the most are: Isn't it too cold to wear kimono during the winter? Do I need to take off all the thermal undershirt while wearing kimono? Here are some tips for winter wearing kimono in Kyoto.
  
1. Too cold for kimono?
  

The average winter temperature in Kyoto is -5~3 c，too cold for wearing kimono?! Not at all!! just wearing the right thermal undershirt and leggings, you can still wear pretty kimono while wandering around the Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺) area without feeling cold.
Normally, kimono has at least 4 layers, you'd definitely have enough clothes to keep the body warm. About the hands, holding disposable heat packs or hot drinks to keep them warm.   

Jan 6, 2013. sunshine with beautiful blue sky ^_^ 

2. Can I keep my thermal undershirt?
     Yes, you can!! BUT!! ONLY the non-turtle neck one. After all,  
     the beauty of kimono is to show the elegant line of neck.  
     Wearing the leggings instead of thick pantyhose, because you  
      will wear geta (下駄) with your kimono.

forget to bring heat pack for my hand >_<"

kimono without coat  *\^_^/*

cute accessory of the kimono coat

Oh,  OKAMOTO Kimono (岡本和服) also provides clothes for man, however, it doesn't have so many layers like kimono, so guys!! remember to wear enough thermal undershirt inside to keep yourself warm.

pix from OKAMOTO kimono web

The best about  OKAMOTO Kimono (岡本和服) is that you can wear the rent kimono from day to night (return before 19:00), which means you can wear kimono while enjoy the historical atmosphere of Kyoto whole day long. If you're too tired to go back for kimono return, few more yen, OKAMOTO Kimono (岡本和服) would send people to your hotel for kimono pick up (ask staffs for exact price for this service)

 

bon voyage～～～  

本篇中文版:京都~~清水寺．岡本和服體驗日