Yume Kyoto Kodaiji Store (Kimono Rental) Kiyomizu Temple — Local services in Kyoto

This was the first time I rented a kimono in Kyoto; I had only done so in Tokyo before. The variety of shops here is larger, and I mainly relied on reviews.

I booked the 5,500 yen plan for my kimono. Half of the kimonos were unavailable based on body size (Small or Large). The selection wasn't extensive to begin with, so the 5,500 yen option made very little sense, regardless of the staff's assistance and choice.

The same applies to hairstyles and accessories. The selection isn't extensive, and it's further reduced depending on whether you choose traditional or modern styles. Also, you have to consider the kimono and hairstyle when making your decision. The selection becomes even smaller.

I paid 1,100 yen for the accessories and hair styling (shoulder-length when it's very curly). It took a total of 4 minutes, with one minute spent on selecting accessories included. The strands taken were handled with hands and ended up messy. It wasn't done neatly, so I had to fix it myself in the bathroom. The hairstyle wasn't secure and unraveled after about an hour (some part). Even the hairpin kept coming loose and getting tangled in my hair because it wasn't properly fixed.

Unfortunately, the socks and geta (even after switching to a larger size) were too small. I had marks on my feet from the seams. With a shoe size of 41, I didn't expect a wide range of options. I had two choices, and one wasn't suitable due to my kimono's color. The other pair had seen better days but was still acceptable.

The selection of bags wasn't very extensive. Since I wore nothing black, 70% of the bags (which were baskets) were not suitable.

Overall, there was a small but elegant selection of kimonos. Very, very friendly and nice staff. You can be ready in under 30 minutes and receive prompt feedback when you make a request. Additionally, you can get an appointment at 9 AM, even on short notice.

Unfortunately, I found it to be too expensive for the quality and service overall. I wouldn't pay 6,600 yen for this experience again. Half the price would be reasonable,...

Was looking for a straightforward kimono rental experience that didn't break the bank and Yume Kyoto Kodaiji was exactly that. When I first entered the store, we were invited to use the restroom first before being given flashcard of different kimonos we could choose from. Since I chose a relatively simple package, the kimono designs weren't anything fancy but there were enough cute options to choose from. Do keep in mind, the photos on the flashcards are slightly more muted than the actual fabric so make sure to see the kimono in person before confirming your choice (the people working there will usually pull out the fabric for you to see in person anyway but just in case, you want to make sure you see it). After that, I was helped into the kimono by very efficient workers. Important note, the kimono will be tight, maybe even uncomfortably tight but you want it super tight! I breathed in when the workers were helping me wrap my kimono which created some ease and after a few hours, the fabric started slipping at the waist so make sure to let it be wrapped tightly! After getting dressed, I chose a hairstyle and got my hair done up by what I can only describe as a magical process because they were so quick and the result was beautiful. The women's clogs they let you wear are also padded which is very helpful in comparison to the traditional wooden clogs. All in all, a very worthwhile experience with some very nice and...

What an amazing place to take your whole family! They have a ton of selections to pick from and you can coordinate colors with your whole family from small kids to larger adult sizes. The ladies here are fast and efficient so if you have short attention span kids or adults—they can accommodate most parties. The location is easy to find and in the heart of the machiya/temple/tea house settings so you will always have the best backdrop to accent your outfits. Their hairstylist is amazing and quick so we were in and out with solid hairdos for a full day of picture taking. On a personal level—we were here during a pandemic and without facemasks because they didn’t have any in the stores. One of the ladies offered us three masks to protect ourselves which she didn’t have to do and was very generous during a time when they were in short supply. I am still amazed by the quality of care and service we received from Yume and I’m forever grateful for going to this...