Kyoto Kimono Experience, 4 Check-in Spots You Can’t Miss
🔸Every time I go to Kyoto, if time permits, I will dress up in a kimono, then go to those places with few people and quietness, walk slowly and daydream.
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🔸Many people wear kimonos and like to go to Kiyomizu Temple, Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, but in my opinion, there are too many people and the experience is not good. It is better to find a quiet place where you can slow down and take pictures without being disturbed.
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📍【About Kimono Selection】
There are many kimono costume shops in Kyoto, the more popular ones are Okamoto and Yume-kan, which have bright colors and are great for taking photos. If you like the simple and elegant feeling like me, you can choose Sangyo, which is located near Kodaiji Temple.
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This is a shop opened by three old ladies. They originally sold fabrics, so the kimonos are of very good quality, but the colors are a bit plain. I chose an ordinary kimono in light pink with a traditional taiko knot on the back. It is dignified and elegant. It looks very beautiful in person, but it is indeed a bit pale in photos.
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If it is the summer from June to September, it is recommended to choose a yukata instead of a kimono, because wearing a kimono in summer is extremely hot. The experience is for comfort and happiness, so don't make it hard on yourself.
📍【Niche Kimono Photoshoot Location】
🔸1. Shoren-in Temple and Chion-in Temple
There are not many tourists in this niche area, so you can relax and take photos and enjoy your time in kimono. The location is near Kodaiji Temple, not far from Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, and it is very convenient to walk there.
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🔸2. Kenninji Temple
The oldest temple in Kyoto, near Kodaiji Temple, is definitely a small place, and the scenery goes well with the kimono. However, commercial photography has been banned in recent years and tripods are not allowed. It is recommended to only bring a lightweight mirrorless camera.
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🔸3. Yasaka Koshindo
A very small shrine full of girlishness, very suitable for taking photos in kimono. It is located near Yasaka Pagoda and near the stone screen path. The entrance is very small and it is easy to miss it if you are not careful.
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🔸4. Yasaka Shrine
It’s not a niche spot, but it’s very suitable for taking photos in kimono, and it can create a grand feeling. Because the place is large, the flow of people is dispersed, and it is not as crowded as Kiyomizu Temple. It is still highly recommended.
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