Japan Day 8: Kimono Day in Kyoto — Beautiful, but Hot!

After changing our plans because of the rain the day before, Day 8 was finally our kimono day in Kyoto.

This was one of the experiences I had booked in advance through Airbnb: kimono rental combined with a professional photo shoot. I’d worn a kimono before during my first trip to Japan, but this was a first for both Kid 1 and Kid 2.

Our appointment was at 7:45 in the morning.

And we were ready… at noon!

Yes, it took more than four hours.

Getting Dressed in Kimono Is an Experience in Itself

This wasn’t a matter of choosing a kimono, putting it on and heading outside.

We chose our kimonos, obi, accessories and hairstyles, with help from the photographer’s assistant—who also happened to be his mother.

She helped us coordinate everything and later showed us some of the little details that would make a difference in the pictures: how to pose while wearing a kimono, how to hold the little bags properly and even how to walk in our traditional zōri sandals.

By the time all three of us had been dressed and had our hair done, most of the morning was gone.

But we looked beautiful!

Comfortable?

Not so much.

A kimono has several layers, and because there are no buttons holding everything together, all those layers need to be wrapped and tied quite securely.

Kid 2’s was initially tied so tightly that she was having trouble breathing. We had to get it adjusted before we could leave.

That probably should have been our first warning that this wasn’t going to be the easiest outfit for spending a humid July day walking around Kyoto.

Professional Photos in Gion

The photographer was part of the package I had booked. He coordinated the kimono rental for us, so everything was taken care of together.

I had selected two locations for our photo shoot: Gion and Maruyama Park.

Having a professional photographer turned out to be one of the best parts of the experience.

Of course, you can rent a kimono and take your own pictures. But a local photographer already knows exactly where to go. He knew which streets and corners would make the best backgrounds and how to position us.

He also came prepared with accessories!

We had fans, traditional umbrellas, masks, swords and other props to use in different pictures. Instead of ending up with dozens of photos of the three of us standing awkwardly in the same position, we got a really nice variety.

The entire photo shoot lasted more than two hours.

And then there was the humidity.

Kyoto in July + Kimono = Not the Best Combination

The temperature itself wasn’t necessarily terrible that day. The humidity was what made everything so difficult.

Once we started walking through the streets of Gion in all those layers, it became increasingly uncomfortable.

Kid 1 had the hardest time. At one point, she became very pale and looked like she might faint.

Kid 2 dealt with it differently: she basically stopped talking and conserved her energy!

I was actually doing relatively well. Maybe I’m simply more accustomed to heat—or maybe being originally from a tropical country finally came in handy.

Our photographer eventually suggested that we stop at a café near the entrance to Maruyama Park.

That was definitely the right call.

We didn’t rush.

A Much-Needed Café Break

Kid 1 got a juice, Kid 2 got an ice cream—of course—and I got a juice too.

We stayed in the air conditioning, gave Kid 1 time to recover and chatted with our photographer for a while.

Once everyone was feeling better, we continued and finished the photo shoot.

Originally, we’d planned to keep walking around Kyoto in our kimonos afterward.

That idea disappeared very quickly.

Once the photo session was finished, we got into a taxi and went straight back to the kimono rental shop to change.

No leisurely afternoon wandering through Kyoto in kimono for us!

Kimono or Yukata in Summer?

There was another option we could have chosen: yukata.

Yukata are lighter and designed for summer, so they would certainly have been much more comfortable in July. But they’re also much simpler than formal kimono.

For an afternoon of sightseeing in hot weather, I’d probably choose the yukata. For professional pictures, though, I’m glad we chose the kimonos.

When I wore a kimono during my first trip to Japan, I was there in March and April. The weather was completely different, and wearing one was much easier.

So yes, I absolutely recommend trying a kimono rental in Kyoto.

Would I recommend doing it in July?

Maybe not!

Was It Worth It?

Despite the humidity, the tight layers, Kid 1 nearly fainting and all three of us being more than ready to get changed by the end…

Yes.

It was worth it.

We now have beautiful professional pictures from our trip that we wouldn’t have been able to create ourselves.

It was one of those travel experiences that was considerably harder while we were doing it than I had imagined when I booked it.

But looking at the pictures afterward?

I’m very glad we did it.

Just maybe next time… not in July.

Coming Next: On to Tokyo!

Day 9 is another transfer day as we say goodbye to Kyoto and head for Tokyo.

The journey itself goes pretty smoothly.

Arriving in Tokyo? That’s another story…