What could be some cool other ways to experience Japan? Is it the food, the scenery, or talking and mingling to locals? In any way you would want it, there are a lot of ways that you could experience being a cool one in Japan. One of which is when you decided to walk around temples and the streets of Kyoto with a Yukata or Kimono on.
While it’s already my second time to visit Japan, I only had the chance to wear a Yukata during our Kinosaki Onsen adventure with friends which the experience didn’t even last long. We came into our ryokan so late that we only had a few hours of exploration time in the area. We didn’t even get to see the nearby temples in the town. Hence, also the reason why I would like to try a Kimono on during the daytime to know how it feels wearing it over the day. It was Jane’s first time in Japan as well so I want to make it a memorable one for her. KKday Kimono Rental
KKday is our partner in some of our activities in Japan and one of those activities is transforming us from Filipinos to looking like a legit Japanese via Kimono Rental for a day, and so it happened to be one of the most memorable days of our lives too! KKday Kimono Rental
How to order the KKday Kimono rental
1. Visit this link to transfer you directly to the activity page.
Kyoto Kimono Rental – Maiko-Henshin Studio Shiki
2. Choose your preferred date and pick-up time.
3. Choose your preferred package option.
Since we are a couple, we opted for the Couple Kimono Rental Package (₱2,710). This option is also a lot cheaper compared to getting the basic or deluxe package. KKday Kimono Rental
・Couple Kimono Rental Package (1 Male, 1 Female)
– Set of 2 Kimono attires (1 Male, 1 Female)
– Male and Female attire includes Kimono, haba-juban (inner wear), obi (sash), obijime (sash string for women), bag, and zouri (sandals)
– Haori (winter kimono) will be offered from December to March
4. Pay your order using your credit card, visa card, or PayPal.
5. Wait for the confirmation of your order that is to be sent to your email.
How to get to Maiko-Henshin Studio Shiki
We came from Hostel Ten in Kujo area, one station south of Kyoto station, so we are a little farther from the rental studio but only a few minutes walk away to the Kyoto station. Good thing trains and buses in Japan are efficient. However, we opted to take the bus from Kyoto station to Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
Maiko-Henshin Studio Shiki can be reached from Kyoto Station by bus number 100 or 206 (15 minutes, 230 yen). Get off at Gojo-zaka or Kiyomizu-michi bus stop, from where it is a 5-minute uphill walk to the studio.
Actually, from getting off at Kiyomizu-michi bus stop, we used Google Maps to reach the studio. The best landmark I can advice is that the Maiko-Henshin Studio Shiki is just across the entrance to the famous Starbucks Kyoto, where the concept is old Japanese, near Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Furthermore, while we were using Google Maps, our network connection was a little unstable though, so we had to rely on a local public hotspot. I only found out after I got home that this could have resulted in data theft so I would recommend other travelers to download a VPN for Japan before using the many local hotspots.
Getting transformed from casual clothing to Kimono
Upon reaching Maiko-Henshin Studio Shiki by 8:15 am, I presented our KKday voucher and they immediately took care of us. They only speak a little English so do not speak in full sentences to get them to understand you. They also are very helpful and professional. KKday Kimono Rental
There’s a waiting area with magazines and huge television screen and a self-service water.
From the reception area, we were separated. The dressing rooms for male and female are different even when you are a couple. A staff will escort you to your own dressing room and will ask you to change your clothes. You will then be asked to select your preferred Kimono and will help you with fitting and getting changed. KKday Kimono Rental
You will also be given a small pouch or bag to serve as a storage of your important belongings that you need to bring (i.e., cell phones, passports, wallets, etc) because your backpack or anything bulky will be left in the storage area. I have never also seen a person in Kimono with a bulky backpack.
For the girls, you will also be offered a hairstyling package of JP¥660 if you want. It was originally a JP¥1080 package with JP¥420 discount exclusive for KKday customers.
After about 45 mins to 1 hour, everything is done and we’re ready to go and explore Kyoto for a day! Take a look at our photos and how lovely we are looking! ♥
Go book your Kimono rental experience now via this link – Kyoto Kimono Rental – Maiko-Henshin Studio Shiki. KKday Kimono Rental
Places to visit while on your Kimono
There are quite a number of places you visit after getting changed to a wearing a Kimono. As for our experience, here are the places we visited.
First on our list is the Yasaka Pagoda.
Yasaka Pagoda KKday Kimono Rental
Yasaka Pagoda is a popular five-story pagoda located to the west of Ninen-zaka and San’nen-zaka streets. The pagoda is located inside the Hokanji Temple. This pagoda is sometimes opened to the public, at that time, we can go up to the second floor and have a view of the city of Kyoto through the windows.
The admission fee is JP¥400.
We even saw a couple doing pre-nuptial photos in this famous landmark in Kyoto.
Second on our list was Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Kiyomizudera (also known as “Pure Water Temple”) is one of the most well-known temples of Japan. It was founded in 780 on the site of the Otowa Waterfall in the wooded hills east of Kyoto and derives its name from the fall’s pure waters. – Japan Guide.
From the studio, it’s only about 10 mins walk away. The road was uphill but comes with many vendors and stores so you won’t notice that it’s uphill. The street to the Kiyomizu-dera Temple was also a bit congested due to numerous people wanting to visit the temple. You can take a look inside the temple for an admission fee of JP¥400.
Third on our list for this day is the Yasaka Shrine.
Yasaka Shrine
Yasaka Shrine is also known as the Gion Shrine and one of the most popular temples of Kyoto. This shrine is located in between Higashiyama district and Gion District. We spent quite some time in here. It has no admission fee and you are free to explore all of its areas including the other parks around it. There’s also a hiking trail but we didn’t opt to visit that part as it was too hot.
We just sat down at the entrance and ate Takoyaki and Long Fries.
Fourth on the list is the Maruyama Park
Maruyama Park
Maruyama Park is located nearby Yasaka Shrine. It’s famous during the Sakura or Cherry Blossom season. Many families, friends, and couples get here just to enjoy the view of the area.
Fifth on our list is Gion.
Gion
Gion is a district in Kyoto famous for its night scene and iconic stores. Geishas are usually seen in the area of Gion. We walked thru the streets and tried out some food especially the Match drink in the area. We also walked until we reach Hanamikoji Dori and Kennin-ji Temple Hojo.
Sixth on the places we’ve visited for the day is the Kennin-ji Temple Hojo.
Kennin-ji Temple Hojo
The oldest Zen temple in Kyoto, Kennin-ji Temple is an oasis of calm on the edge of Gion with a magnificent Zen garden. It’s also considered as one of the most important Zen temples of Kyoto. Getting inside the temple has an admission fee of JP¥4500.
Seventh and the last place we’ve visited was Fushimi-Inari Taisha.
Fushimi-Inari Taisha
Fushimi-Inari Taisha is a very important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It’s famous for its thousands of torii gates. The gates lead to the sacred mountain, Mount Inari. Fushimi Inari is the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. There is no admission fee in here so you can spend time all you want. It’s not closing as well so we took a visit to Fushimi-Inari Taisha in the middle of the night during my first visit to Japan.
It’s also the place where I planned to propose marriage to Jane so we spent a good amount of time in here. There are lots of people who walk around so it was quite hard to speculate a location where there are fewer people. Still, I managed to propose to her and everything turned out to be perfect!
Here’s our engagement video and also a bit of the Kimono experience.
After spending a good one day and experience with the Kimono we are wearing, we need to go back to the studio to return it. Unfortunately, we were a bit late. Returns should not be beyond 5:00 PM, we got back at 5:30 PM so we had to pay JP¥1000 penalty fine for returning the kimonos late. It was okay though, we had the best day of our lives! Thanks to #KKday for providing us with this experience! KKday Kimono Rental
Go book your Kimono rental experience now via this link –
Kyoto Kimono Rental – Maiko-Henshin Studio Shiki
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