Gion Kimono Rental Guide: How to Style and Do Makeup for the Perfect Instagram Look
When you think of Gion in Kyoto, it’s a historic entertainment district and bustling area that has been around for a long time. Even today, you can see maiko (apprentice geisha) walking around and historical traditional restaurants lined up. Because you can experience an entertainment district in Japan with a long history, tourists from both Japan and abroad continue to gather here.
When exploring Gion, it’s recommended to rent a kimono to immerse yourself in a different atmosphere. Gion doesn’t have many slopes, so it makes it easier to stroll around in a kimono, lowering the hurdle for renting one.
Renting a kimono in Gion and taking Instagram-worthy photos will undoubtedly leave you with memorable experiences of sightseeing in Gion. In this article, we will introduce kimono coordination, makeup, and recommended photo spots to make your Gion sightseeing Instagram-worthy.
What is the Kimono Coordination for Instagram-Worthy Gion Sightseeing?
Gion is one of Japan’s top entertainment districts. It’s a place where you can often spot maiko walking around, making it a relatively common sight to see people in kimonos. In such a Gion atmosphere, why not try dressing differently for a change?
One distinctive feature of a maiko’s kimono is the obi (sash). One of the ways to tie the obi that’s characteristic of Gion is called “darari musubi,” where the obi is tied with a long trailing end, as shown in the image above. If you have a long obi, you can create this unique Gion-style obi knot. Tying a darari musubi undoubtedly adds more elegance to your kimono.
When renting a kimono, you can often rent a half-width obi, which is commonly used. During the dressing process, consider tying the obi in styles like “tateya musubi” or “bunko musubi.” The image above shows “bunko musubi.” With this style, the obi forms a ribbon-like appearance, making your back view more elegant.
Furthermore, maiko often wear broad obi belts and large obi clips. Therefore, using a wide obi belt (usually around 3 cm wide) and large-sized obi clips can help you create an Instagram-worthy Gion-style kimono ensemble.
As shown in the image above, even a simple obi can be transformed into an elegant accessory. To enhance your mood for sightseeing, why not try coordinating your kimono specifically for your Gion visit?
Perfect Makeup to Match Gion Sightseeing
When renting a kimono for Gion sightseeing, you might wonder about the makeup that goes well with it. You may be unsure of how to differentiate it from your everyday makeup. Let’s explain the key points of makeup that match kimonos.
When wearing a kimono, you might be tempted to make your skin very pale, thinking of the image of geisha, but making your skin too white can appear unnatural. Use a foundation shade that matches your skin tone.
For foundation, use one with a matte finish and avoid making your face overly contoured. When wearing a kimono, it’s more harmonious to have a slightly flatter face with less emphasis on creating a sculpted, small face.
Furthermore, apply foundation to your neck and nape as well. When wearing a kimono and styling your hair up, your neck and nape become more noticeable than usual.
Since the back view and neckline are crucial when wearing a kimono, it’s recommended to apply foundation to your neck as well.
When wearing a kimono and exploring, there’s a risk of makeup smudging due to sweating.
Therefore, using translucent powder can help prevent makeup smudging. Transparent or skin-colored powders are more practical, as choosing white powder might make your face overly pale.
When aiming for an elegant atmosphere with your kimono, pay attention to the eye shadow color. The standard approach is to use eye shadow colors that match the predominant color of your kimono and obi. However, for Gion sightseeing, consider trying slightly different shades.
To create an elegant look, as shown in the image above, use eye shadow colors that match the accent colors of your kimono and obi. Instead of using the color that covers the most area, use a smaller accent color to elevate your style.
Additionally, apply eye shadow a bit darker than your everyday makeup to prevent your face from looking washed out, especially if your kimono has a bold pattern or color.
There are also specific points to consider when drawing your eyebrows to match Japanese kimono makeup. To achieve this, draw shorter and straighter eyebrows. Long and thin eyebrows tend to create a Western-style makeup look. When renting a kimono, make your eyebrows slightly thicker and avoid extending the tail of your eyebrows too much.
By paying attention to makeup that complements your kimono, you’ll have fewer worries when renting a kimono, allowing you to enjoy sightseeing more. Moreover, with a well-executed makeup, taking photos becomes even more enjoyable. Try Instagram-worthy kimono makeup and enjoy Gion sightseeing to the fullest.
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
