Unforgettable School Trip in Arashiyama: Explore Temples in a Kimono!

Don’t you want to do something memorable during your once-in-a-lifetime school trip, especially during your free exploration time?

For students like you, we recommend renting kimonos and exploring while wearing them.

Among all places in Kyoto, Arashiyama offers numerous locations where kimonos look stunning, allowing you to enjoy Kyoto’s charm, making it highly recommended for wearing kimonos.

How about experiencing something unique that you can only do in your lifetime, wearing kimonos with your best friends?

Many people might think, “I’ve never worn a kimono properly, and it seems difficult,” but with a few key points, even beginners can enjoy wearing kimonos without any mishaps.

Furthermore, there are shops that offer kimono rentals specifically for school trip students and rental shops with student discount plans, making it more affordable than you might think to wear a kimono.

In this article, we have compiled information about rental kimono shops around Arashiyama that are easy for school trip students to use, tips to prevent your kimono from slipping, and recommended sightseeing spots in Arashiyama.

Where Can You Rent Kimonos around Arashiyama?

In charming Kyoto, you can find various kimono rental shops and dressing services.

However, with so many options, how do you choose the right shop? This time, we will introduce shops around Arashiyama that offer plans tailored for school trip students.

We recommend “Rikawafuku Kimono Arashiyama Shop” located here, although it may sound biased.

This Arashiyama shop is conveniently located just a 3-minute walk from the Hankyu Arashiyama Station and a 3-minute walk to the famous Togetsukyo Bridge, one of the tourist attractions we will introduce later. Having a shop located in a worry-free area during your school trip is reassuring, isn’t it?

Additionally, this shop offers the “Kyoto Kimono Hair Set Student Discount Plan,” which allows students to enjoy kimono dressing and hairstyling for only 3,980 yen by presenting their student ID.

Additionally, this plan includes hair accessories, hairstyling, kimono dressing, and all the necessary accessories, so you won’t need to bring anything with you.

There is also a luggage storage service available, so you won’t have to carry heavy bags while wearing a kimono and can fully focus on sightseeing!

Do you think kimono rentals are only for women? Don’t worry if your school trip group is mixed gender.

This shop also offers kimono rental services for men. Just like for women, they provide everything from kimono dressing to all the accessories, so be sure to rent kimonos together.

First-Time Kimono Rental – No Worries! Tips to Prevent Slipping

Now, among those who are considering renting kimonos in Arashiyama for your school trip, there may be some who have never actually worn a kimono before.

If you’re not careful, kimonos can lose their shape, even from the moment you first put them on.

So, does that mean it’s better to avoid wearing a kimono because it’s difficult? You don’t need to worry.

If you keep a few key points in mind, you can minimize any slipping of the kimono.

First, make sure to tighten the obi sash properly during dressing. If the obi sash is loose, the hem of the kimono may sag, making it look untidy.

If the hem still sags after tightening the obi sash, pull up the sagging side over the obi sash. Then, retighten the obi sash firmly.

Second, be careful not to move your arms too vigorously. If you raise and lower your arms too much or swing them around, the fabric in front of the kimono’s chest area may become loose. Try to keep your arm movements small. This will also make your behavior in a kimono more elegant.

Third, be conscious of keeping your back straight and not slouching. If you slouch while wearing a kimono, the space behind the collar will disappear, causing the fabric around the neck to wrinkle, and your collarbone to become visible.

When this happens, the beauty of the kimono is greatly reduced, and even a hairstyle that reveals your nape will be ruined. Especially when sitting down, it’s easy to slouch, so always be mindful of maintaining good posture.

Let’s Take Photos with Your School Friends! Recommended Sightseeing Spots in Arashiyama for Your School Trip

When you’re dressed in a splendid kimono, you’ll definitely want to capture that moment as a cherished memory. And of course, on your school trip, you’ll want to enjoy sightseeing to the fullest. So, for all of you, we’d like to introduce some of the sightseeing spots and photo locations around Arashiyama.

First, let’s start with the “Togetsukyo Bridge” in Arashiyama. This historical bridge with wooden railings spans the Katsura River. It’s a location often used for movie and drama filming, and it’s also frequently featured in Arashiyama’s tourism brochures. It’s a place where you can feel the history of Japan, and taking a group photo on the bridge will make you realize you’re in Arashiyama! Plus, it’s a perfect location for kimono photos.

When you visit Arashiyama, you’ll want to explore the temples. Among them, “Daikaku-ji” is a temple with a rich history that’s often used as a filming location for period dramas. It’s a temple with an elegant and historical atmosphere, founded in 876 AD, boasting over 1,100 years of history.

Inside “Daikaku-ji,” there’s a hall called “Shingyo-den” with a distinctive octagonal roof. If you take photos here with the backdrop of “Osawa Pond,” you can capture beautiful landscapes. This location is famous for its cherry blossoms and is a scenic spot that changes with each season, making it worth visiting regardless of the time of your school trip.

There are also various shrines in Arashiyama, and one recommended shrine is “Nonomiya Shrine,” which has been cherished as a shrine for matchmaking throughout history. Surprisingly, “Nonomiya Shrine” has a connection to “The Tale of Genji.”

“The Tale of Genji” is a masterpiece of Heian literature, and many of you may have studied it in school.

“Nonomiya Shrine” appeared in “The Tale of Genji” in the “Kashiwagi” chapter, and it has been said to be a very beautiful place since ancient times. Are you curious about what kind of place this shrine, praised by people in the Heian period, is like?

Furthermore, “Nonomiya Shrine” has a stone turtle for rubbing, and it is said that if you make a wish while stroking this stone turtle, your wish will come true within a year. Why not visit “Nonomiya Shrine” and pray for matchmaking and the fulfillment of your wishes?

Author of this article

Kyoto Kimono Rental Rika Wafuku operates four kimono rental shops in Kyoto city, including locations in Arashiyama, Gion, Kiyomizu Temple, and in front of Kyoto Station. In 2023, they served over 230,000 customers in the Kyoto area!
They offer affordable plans, with a kimono dressing plan starting from 3,500 yen, and a hair setting plan from 5,500 yen.
Close to popular tourist spots such as Togetsukyo Bridge, Kiyomizu Temple, Yasaka Koshindo, and Yasaka Shrine!
Kyoto Kimono Rental Rika Wafuku
Kimono Rental Rika Wafuku Gion Store
Kimono Rental Rika Wafuku Arashiyama Store
Kimono Rental Rika Wafuku Kiyomizu Temple Store
Kimono Rental Rika Wafuku Kyoto Station Front Store