Kyoto Kimono Rental Rei — Local services in Kyoto

I have been visited this store in this early April 2023 during Sakura Season. I feel bad experience when I in this store: 1) the main problem: overbooked, too many customers in the store even in the morning (I arrived there around 9.45am) 2) long queue to wait for wear kimono, do hairstyles & make up services (actually those grandmas got speed up to help customers wear kimono but too many customer, very pity!) 3) lack of manpower to control those rude behaviour persons who suddenly cut queues then causing long waiting time for hairdo / make up services. the actual situation is one of the girl early queued in front of me then after around 15 minutes her friends (3 persons) directly cut into the queue without asking any permission very rude. 4) you can only stored your belongings into a big black colour bag then put on the floor. So try not to bring many valuable things or luggage to the store. 5) appoint your own photographer if you want take photo shooting with kimono wear 6) I am not sure how they usually running their business. But what I experienced during this year 2023 of Sakura season was an unpleasant experience to me. I won’t come back again for next trip. Lastly, I hope they will improve their business practices if they want to continue operating in...

Got this on Viator. Staff fluent in Chinese and Japanese but seemed at a loss for what to do with this large awkward American cluttering up their floor. Kimono are polyester and hot when the temperatures are high. They don’t have feminine sandals over a size 8—I had to wear men’s, and even those were a touch small.

The bright spot was one Chinese customer who spoke great English. She was getting a fullon princess treatment with a photographer and everything. She gave me recommendations. The staff was doing this for other patrons—but not me. I guess language was a barrier, but I didn’t feel like I was having fun. I felt like I was in the way.

They also offer hair styling for an additional fee. This really makes it. While the stylist was frustrated because I couldn’t tell her to just “do whatever you like,” she did work wonders with my short bob cut and arranged some ornaments nicely.

I did enjoy the flurry of Chinese customers getting their kimono and hairdos on. They were all so excited and happy! I felt like we were all in on this together, even if we couldn’t understand each other.

Maybe try some other place down the street if you’re a tall gaijin like me. If you’re Chinese, I think you will...

I recently visited this kimono rental shop and was disappointed with some aspects of the experience. While the selection of kimonos was nice, and the Japanese staff who helped me wear the kimono was professional and skilled, the overall service left much to be desired.

I paid 33,000 yen for renting a kimono, which is a significant amount, so I expected an upmarket and professional level of service. However, during my visit, the staff opened the door to the changing room while I was getting changed, which was very uncomfortable. Even though there was a staff member inside the room, she didn’t stop others from entering, making the situation worse.

Additionally, many of the foreign staff, who appeared to be mainland Chinese, lacked the politeness and attentiveness one would expect from Japanese hospitality, making the experience feel less welcoming. One mainland Chinese staff member who assisted me with selecting a kimono had an unpleasant breath, which made the interaction rather awkward.

For the price charged, I hope the shop can work on improving their service and training, as well as maintaining higher personal hygiene standards, to create a more comfortable and respectful environment for...