Wearing the Yukata at Your Ryokan: What to Know Before You Put It On
The yukata folded neatly on your bed at a ryokan is a different thing entirely from the yukata you'd rent for a festival, even though it looks similar at first glance. It's provided by the inn, meant to be worn casually around the property, and comes with a couple of etiquette points that matter more […]
Wearing Kimono for Hatsumode: A New Year Shrine Visit Guide
Every January, the first few days brought a very particular kind of booking rush at the shop — not tourists chasing cherry blossoms or fireworks, but people wanting to dress up for hatsumode, the year's first shrine or temple visit. If you'll be in Japan for New Year, it's one of the most photogenic and […]
Seijin no Hi: Can Visitors Wear Furisode for Coming of Age Day?
If you've seen photos of young women in Japan wearing extravagant, long-sleeved kimono with fur stoles on a cold January day, you've seen Seijin no Hi — Coming of Age Day. It's one of the most visually striking traditions in the kimono calendar, and I get asked fairly often whether a visitor can join in […]
Invited to a Japanese Wedding? A Guest's Guide to Kimono Etiquette
Being invited to a Japanese wedding as a visiting guest is a genuine honor, and it's natural to wonder whether kimono is expected, allowed, or a nice gesture. I've dressed a handful of foreign guests for exactly this occasion over the years, so here's the honest rundown of what's appropriate and what to avoid. Quick […]
Wearing the Yukata at Your Ryokan: What to Know Before You Put It On
The yukata folded neatly on your bed at a ryokan is a different thing entirely from the yukata you'd rent for a festival, even though it looks similar at first glance. It's provided by the inn, meant to be worn casually around the property, and comes with a couple of etiquette points that matter more […]
Shichi-Go-San Kimono by Age: How Outfits Differ at Three, Five, and Seven
Shichi-Go-San ("Seven-Five-Three") is a Japanese celebration held every November for children turning three, five, or seven — a milestone visit to a Shinto shrine to give thanks for a child's growth so far and pray for continued health. If you're visiting Japan in autumn, it's not unusual to spot families in full kimono heading into […]
What Should a Mother Wear to Shichi-Go-San?
Shichi-Go-San is a milestone celebration of a child's growth, and plenty of mothers want to mark the occasion by wearing kimono themselves. But between choosing the right type, the etiquette around it, and figuring out hair, there's a lot to work through. Here's a complete guide to dressing well for the day — without overshadowing […]
Shichi-Go-San Dressing: How Long It Takes and What It Costs
Renting a child's kimono for Shichi-Go-San raises a practical question fast: how long does dressing actually take, and what should you budget for hair and makeup? For families with a fidgety toddler, there's also the very real worry of a dressing session going sideways right before a scheduled shrine blessing. Here's a realistic breakdown by […]
Shichi-Go-San: When Should You Actually Celebrate It?
If you've ever seen small children in Japan dressed in elaborate kimono outside a shrine sometime in autumn, you've likely witnessed Shichi-Go-San — a milestone celebration marking a child's growth at ages three, five, and seven. Even for Japanese families, exactly when to hold it raises real questions: does it have to be a specific […]
Wearing Kimono to a Summer Wedding: What to Know
Attending a summer wedding in Japan and want to wear kimono? It's a beautiful way to mark the occasion, but two questions come up almost immediately: what type of kimono is appropriate, and how do you stay comfortable in the summer heat while wearing multiple layers of fabric? Here's what you need to know. Summer […]