Rental Kimono Okamoto Main Shop — Local services in Kyoto

A good kimono rental store for you to live out your Kyoto fantasies. This store is located close to Ni and Sannenzaka, Gion, Kiyomizudera, and of course a bajillion other smaller shrines and temples, so you can enjoy these ancient sites in period-appropriate (maybe?) clothing.

They have a good English website that explains the different options and "courses" (selections) of kimono for both men and women. I recommend checking these out and booking in advance to ensure everything runs smoothly. They also post photos of their customers on the website, so you can see what kind of kimonos they have.

According to the staff, they do get about a 50-50 mix of Japanese and local customers, so to those who think about that sort of thing, don't worry about being "cringe".

The staff speaks limited English but it will be possible to get by. That said, every bit of Japanese can help to avoid misunderstandings. For instance, I did not know you were not supposed to put stuff in the kimono sleeve-pockets (you do get a bag to carry your stuff).

The staff will help you choose and then put on the kimono, then you have until 6pm to wander around in them. Note they are not exactly the most comfortable so it may be difficult to do anything but stroll around the neighbourhood if you are not used to wearing kimono and geta.

Overall I had a good experience with Okamoto and would recommend them to others. My advice to the management would be to have the staff more explicitly explain the "rules" of kimono to us...

I wouldn’t recommend this company to foreigners, especially those who may be on the larger size. After going to a nicer kimono shop and being taught about proper kimono wear, I realized that this shop put me in an ill fitting kimono. They have a small rack for plus size, all labeled “wide size” without actual sizes. Also it was our first time wearing a kimono and we did not understand what all we had to pick out. The staff downstairs didn’t speak much English which was completely okay but because of this they tried avoiding us instead of helping us. Nothing was explained and when we asked questions about what to pick they limited the options for all of the accessories for me. There were many potential options I didn’t even see there until we were already leaving. We also have very big feet and the kimono shoes were extremely too small (I know they can hang over some, it was much more than some) and they just said “that’s okay that’s okay” instead of giving us the option to change to our regular shoes. We asked for our shoes back and was treated like it was a big hassle. The woman helping me spoke zero English and was unwilling to try to wait so I could use my translation app, she just kept agitatedly ushering me in and away the doorway and I had zero idea what she wanted me to do because there was no patience. The woman who dressed me and the one who did my hair did a wonderful job though and they were the reason it was two stars...

I had a wonderful experience at Rental Kimono Okamoto! From the moment I walked in, the staff made me feel welcome and comfortable. They had an incredible selection of kimonos in a wide variety of colors and styles—whether you want something traditional, elegant, or more vibrant, there’s truly something for everyone. The team was so attentive in helping me choose a design that suited me perfectly and explained the cultural details behind the patterns, which made the experience even more meaningful. The dressing process was seamless and professional—they worked quickly but carefully, making sure everything fit just right and felt comfortable to walk around in all day. The hairstyling service was also a lovely touch and really completed the look. Wearing the kimono around Kyoto was such a special experience, and I received so many compliments. Returning the kimono was also very easy and stress-free. Overall, I highly recommend Rental Kimono Okamoto if you want an authentic, beautiful, and memorable kimono experience in Kyoto. The staff, selection, and service all exceeded my expectations, and I would definitely return the next time...