How to Enjoy Kimono Rental in Asakusa During New Year – Tips for a Perfect Visit
When it comes to Hatsumode (the first shrine visit of the New Year), it’s an absolute must for anyone born as a Japanese.
Now, if you plan to go in a kimono and want a stress-free experience, using kimono rental is the best choice.
There’s no need for meticulous preparations in advance, just pick a kimono and get dressed quickly by a professional.
However, when it comes to Hatsumode at Asakusa Temple during New Year’s, the number of visitors is incredible, isn’t it?
You can smoothly navigate through the crowded Asakusa during New Year’s with some prior research.
Hatsumode at Asakusa can take the whole day!
Especially, you should absolutely avoid the heavy crowds from around 10 AM to early afternoon!
It’s a shame if your elegant kimono gets all wrinkled and you end up tired, despite wanting to enjoy your visit gracefully.
“Since you’re going out, you might as well do some shopping and enjoy delicious food at the Nakamise shopping street and food stalls,”
Plan ahead of time to have a relaxed visit.
Hatsumode in Kimono! Best Times to Avoid Crowds
Best times to avoid crowds:
New Year’s Day: Early morning from 4 AM to 9 AM or after 4 PM
Day 2: Early morning to 9 AM or after 3 PM
Day 3: Early morning to 9 AM or after 3 PM
Crowds tend to get worse after 10 AM.
As the afternoon sun starts to set, the congestion gradually eases.
Also, Asakusa Temple is illuminated at night, offering a different experience from daytime.
Nighttime visits can also be a good choice.
Rikawafuku Kimono Asakusa Shop is open from 8 AM during the New Year period from January 1st to 3rd, 2019.
You can return the kimono by 7:30 PM in the evening.
New Year Shrine Visit! Check out the Popular Nakamise and Stalls with Kimono Rental!
The operating hours of Asakusa’s Nakamise are roughly from 8 AM to 7 PM, but the hours may vary by shop.
Don’t forget to check in advance if there are any must-visit places.
How about enjoying gourmet food at the stalls? During New Year’s, you’ll find stalls offering candy art, yakisoba (fried noodles), motsu (offal), takoyaki (octopus balls), and sweet sake.
Just looking around is exciting and fun, isn’t it?
Operating hours:
December 31st: After 10 PM
January 1st: From New Year’s Eve until 7 PM
January 2nd and 3rd: From 10 AM to 7 PM
You’ll want to go with an empty stomach! ♪
Unique New Year Sightseeing! Enjoy New Year’s Asakusa Kabuki with Kimono Rental
Every year from January 2nd, the “New Year’s Asakusa Kabuki” is held at Asakusa Public Hall.
It’s a suitable place to attend in a kimono.
Here, you can escape the massive crowds and enter a different world.
This is a fresh stage performed by young kabuki actors.
Famous actors like Matsumoto Koshiro, Bando Mitsugoro, and Nakamura Hayato are scheduled to perform.
They’re all handsome ♡
For those who think “kabuki is difficult,” there’s also the familiar “Bancho Sarayashiki” in the program.
For complete beginners, there’s an option to rent headphones (for a fee of 700 yen) that provide easy-to-understand explanations and highlights related to the kabuki performance, so you can enjoy it without worries.
New Year Sightseeing! Skytree Solamachi with Kimono Rental
Of course, you have to enjoy the first sunrise! If you think that way, then Skytree is the place to be.
If you get special tickets in advance, you can enjoy the sunrise without the crowds. ♡
From 5:30 AM to 7:30 AM
After watching the first sunrise, change into a rental kimono and go for your Hatsumode visit.
After the visit, enjoy shopping for lucky bags at Solamachi.
Skytree is open from 8 AM on New Year’s Day.
The Sumida Aquarium is also open from New Year’s Day.
If you wish to rent a kimono, please don’t forget to check the required time in advance.
You can also inquire about the estimated duration when making a reservation.
It’s important to set aside plenty of time for everything.
When arranging tickets or making kimono rental reservations, please approach them with ample time.
Enjoy New Year in Asakusa in a stress-free manner, wearing a kimono!
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）.
