Guide to Bringing Foreign Visitors for a Kimono Experience in Asakusa – Tips from Rika Wafuku!
The Tokyo Olympics of 2020 are approaching, and there’s a growing need to escort foreign visitors on their tours of Tokyo. This situation has likely become more common.
Rikawafuku Kimono Asakusa also has many visitors escorting their foreign friends for kimono experiences.
These individuals often help with reservations and kimono selection for their foreign friends.
At Rikawafuku Kimono Asakusa, we always have staff members who can communicate in Chinese and English, so you can use our services with peace of mind.
When tourists come to Japan, many of them want to stroll around the city wearing Japan’s traditional clothing, the kimono. Asakusa, with its preserved traditional Japanese streets, is a popular choice, as it makes visitors feel like they’ve traveled back in time when wearing a kimono.
Here, we’ll talk about the points to note when guiding foreign visitors through the kimono rental experience, tailored for them:
- Smoothly Facilitating Foreign Visitors’ Kimono Experience
- Points to Consider When Foreign Tourists Dress in Kimono
- Popular Spots for Foreign Tourists in Asakusa
A Strong Ally for Foreigners’ Kimono Experience: Asakusa’s Kimono Rental Shop
For foreigners, wearing a kimono is an unknown experience. They might not know how to put it on or have any idea about it. But don’t worry.
At kimono rental shops, you can leave everything to them, not only the kimono but also the dressing, accessories, and even hair styling.
Rikawafuku Kimono Asakusa even offers baggage storage, allowing you to enjoy sightseeing in Asakusa without any burdens.
There’s a wide variety of colors and patterns to choose from, and the selection of the “obi” (sash) is just as important as the kimono itself.
With many different options available, the combination of kimono and obi can change the overall impression significantly.
One of the great aspects of kimono rental is that you can create your own unique coordination from the many choices of kimonos and obis available.
For more detailed information on the flow of escorting foreign customers for kimono rentals in Asakusa, please check this article:
＞Kimono Rentals with Foreign Customers
When wearing a kimono, here are some things to keep in mind:
① Since wearing a kimono is an unfamiliar experience, don’t endure it too much if it feels tight or uncomfortable.
② Avoid taking overly large steps to prevent the kimono from becoming disheveled.
At Rikawafuku Kimono Asakusa, there’s a wide selection of kimonos available, so you’ll definitely find a color and pattern that suits any foreign individual.
Take your time choosing your favorite piece.
Once you’ve selected a kimono, the staff at the kimono rental shop will help you put it on, which takes about 15 minutes.
Often, the accompanying person who can interpret will join you in the dressing room.
In most cases, you can complete the dressing process through body language and gestures with the kimono dresser.
At Rikawafuku Kimono Asakusa, there are staff members who can communicate in Chinese and English, so if you have any concerns, feel free to request an interpreter, and they will assist you.
While being dressed, it’s important to remain as still as possible. The kimono dresser will give you instructions on what to do, so you can trust them and follow their guidance.
Stand with your legs straight and your arms slightly away from your body in a natural posture for a smooth dressing process.
The staff are professionals and will make sure the kimono is not too tight. However, if it feels uncomfortable or too tight, don’t hesitate to inform the staff immediately. Tight kimono can make it difficult to enjoy your Asakusa sightseeing experience, so it’s best to speak up.
For your foreign friends, it’s a good idea for them to communicate and check if the kimono is not too tight.
Once you’re comfortably dressed in the kimono, it’s time to start your Asakusa sightseeing adventure!
One thing to keep in mind is not to take large strides. Kimonos are elegant attire that can make you look refined and graceful. Since you’re wearing a kimono, try to move gracefully and elegantly to fully embrace the experience.
Popular Asakusa Sightseeing Spots for Foreign Tourists
Some of the popular spots for foreign tourists during their Asakusa sightseeing include:
① Kaminarimon Gate
② Senso-ji Temple
③ Asakusa Hanayashiki Amusement Park
④ Asakusa Hanayagi Hall
⑤ Kappabashi Dougu Street
These places may feel familiar to Japanese people, but foreign tourists often enjoy taking photos and exploring these spots with enthusiasm.
First and foremost is the renowned symbol of Asakusa, the “Kaminarimon Gate.” It’s a must-visit spot when exploring Asakusa.
Asakusa is always bustling with tourists, but if you want to capture the perfect photo opportunity, it’s recommended to visit either early in the morning or after sunset.
Especially at night, Asakusa Temple is illuminated, and you can take beautiful photos with Skytree in the background.
The times when there are fewer people around are ideal for this.
Don’t miss Senso-ji Temple. After passing through Nakamise Street, you’ll enter the temple grounds.
For Japanese people, it’s a familiar wooden temple, but for foreigners more accustomed to stone churches, it offers a fresh perspective.
Asakusa Hanayashiki Amusement Park is also immensely popular among foreigners.
If you want to add some playfulness to your Asakusa visit, consider Asakusa Hanayagi Hall. It’s Japan’s oldest amusement park, and its nostalgic atmosphere makes you feel like you’ve traveled back in time to the Showa era.
Finally, if your foreign friends are interested in souvenirs, you can take them to Kappabashi Dougu Street. One popular souvenir among foreigners is food samples.
These realistic and meticulously crafted food samples are so amazing that they become a topic of conversation abroad for their lifelike appearance.
You can purchase such food samples at “Kappabashi Dougu Street.”
How was it? Foreign tourists visiting Asakusa seek a more “Japanese” experience. They wear kimonos through a kimono rental, explore places that evoke Japan’s history, and connect with the new Japan.
We would be delighted if you could have an experience like this and feel closer to Japan through our kimono experience.
Rikawafuku Kimono Asakusa offers support in English, Chinese, and Korean for foreign customers.
We regularly welcome overseas group customers through major agencies, so our staff is accustomed to handling such requests.
If you are considering kimono rental or a kimono experience, please feel free to consult with Rikawafuku Kimono Asakusa.
Author of this article
Kimono rental Rikawafuku Asakusa store
(Operating company: TripFarm Co., Ltd.)
By 2023, more than 230,000 people will be wearing kimonos in a year
2-16-9 HULIC & New Kaminarimon 6F, Kaminarimon, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0034
3 minutes walk from Asakusa Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line
1 minute walk to Kaminarimon
Click here for the website of our sister store, Kano-Wafuku（浅草の着物レンタル 花乃和服）.
