10 Stylish Hairstyles to Complement Your Kimono Rental

One of the true highlights of kimono rental is, without a doubt, the hair styling.

When you rent a kimono, it’s only natural to want to try a more elegant and elaborate hairstyle—something you wouldn’t usually wear in your everyday life.

In this section, we’ll introduce recommended hair arrangements based on different hair lengths.

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Hairstyles That Complement Kimono

It is often said that a kimono looks most beautiful when the neckline is visible.

Unlike dresses, kimono cover a larger area of the body with fabric, so wearing your hair in an updo creates a clean and refined impression. However, there is no strict rule that requires you to choose an upstyle.

Wearing your hair down with a kimono is not just a modern trend. This style dates back to the Taishō era, when Japanese and Western cultures blended, and the “Haikara-san” look—featuring half-up hair adorned with a large ribbon—became fashionable.

Even today, updos are often recommended for formal occasions such as weddings. However, when strolling around casually in a kimono, you are free to enjoy a variety of hairstyles that match your outfit and mood.

You can reserve a kimono rental plan that includes hair styling here:

>Kyoto Kimono Rental Hair Set Plan
>Asakusa Kimono Rental Hair Set Plan

Short Hair

Hair Accessory Arrangements

Short hair naturally offers fewer styling options due to its length, but it can still be beautifully enhanced with hair accessories.

One of its charms is how easily you can arrange it using silk or traditional-patterned pins and clips.

You don’t have to limit yourself to classic Japanese accessories. Pairing modern kimono styles with ribbons or velvet materials can create a sophisticated and refined look.

Securing your hair neatly with a kanzashi that matches the color of your kimono is also a stylish choice.

Hair accessories are often reasonably priced, so it can be fun to look for your favorite pieces that complement your kimono.

Half-Up Bun

In recent years, the half-up bun has become especially popular.

Creating a slightly tousled, casual bun adds a cute and effortless charm.

Leaving a few strands loose and adding soft curls can give short hair more volume, allowing you to achieve an elegant look even without accessories.

Single Curl

A single curl hairstyle involves curling just the ends of your hair.

For a polished and refined impression, curl the ends inward. For a lively and energetic vibe, curl them outward. Even with the same kimono, the overall impression can change dramatically.

Intentionally styling your hair in a way that contrasts with your usual look can be a fun and refreshing experience.

Additionally, adding shine to your hair will make the single curl style stand out even more, so don’t forget to use gel or oil for a glossy finish!

Medium-Length Hair

Bun

Speaking of bun hairstyles, they are a classic choice when wearing a kimono.

Being a classic, neatly gathered buns make the neck area look beautiful, so it’s recommended.

Furthermore, even with the same bun style, the impression can vary significantly depending on whether you tie it tightly or leave it slightly loose.

Adding a decorative hairpin to a bun is also cute.

Consider changing the style depending on your desired image and overall balance.

Twist and Rope Braid

After tying the hair around the crown of your head into a twist, you can create rope braids on both sides just below the twist.

You can transform it into a half-up style by tying the twisted and braided sections together, or you can create a ponytail or bun by gathering all the remaining hair.

Combining twists and rope braids can instantly add volume and elegance, making it a recommended choice.

Evening Party Rolls

Evening party rolls are perfect for when you want a more mature look.

Once you get used to it, it’s easy to do, but there are also kits available for creating evening party roll hairstyles, which can make it even easier.

Some might think it looks “matronly” or “like a bar hostess,” but in reality, evening party rolls have a wide variety of finished silhouette patterns, and the hairstyle can vary greatly depending on the person styling it. It’s a highly adaptable hairstyle.

If you don’t want it too neat, intentionally tousling the evening party roll is also an option.

A well-groomed hairstyle that complements kimono wear combines a sense of cleanliness and elegance.

Since it’s not a hairstyle you often see with Western clothing, it’s one of the hairstyles you should enjoy when wearing a kimono.

Gibson Tuck

This hairstyle became famous as the “Elsa hair” from “Frozen,” but it still has a strong following.

It allows you to maintain a neat appearance while enjoying volume and style.

For modern kimonos, combining foreign-inspired hairstyles like this can give you a chic and polished look, so it’s recommended.

Click here for Kyoto Kimono Rental Plans & Price List

 

Long Hair

Chignon

One of the hair arrangements that beautifully showcases the volume of long hair is the chignon.

Simply gathering it at the back, but the silhouette can vary significantly depending on the method used, which makes it interesting.

It’s also stylish when combined with braids or French braids.

Loose Braid

A hairstyle where the back hair is braided into one thick section using braids or fishtail braids.

While updo hairstyles are common with kimonos, loose braids can create a modern impression with just the hairstyle.

If it’s braided too tightly, it might appear too prim, so it’s essential to leave some stray hairs and loosen the sections for a relaxed look.

You can even incorporate ribbons or scarves for advanced styling.

Braided Bun

One of the challenges of having long hair is that the weight of the hair can cause a traditional bun to come undone easily.

To prevent this, try braiding your ponytail first, then wrapping it into a bun and securing it with pins. This not only helps the style stay in place longer, but also creates a more dimensional and structured bun hairstyle.

 

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