If you want to rent a kimono to Shimogamo Shrine, use Rika Wafuku.

If you’re looking to enjoy a slightly different travel or tourism experience, “Kimono Rental” is recommended. By renting a kimono and touring the sightseeing spots, you can lift your spirits and capture Instagram-worthy photos. Shimogamo Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a popular tourist attraction visited by many every year, so why not pay a visit to Shimogamo Shrine when renting a kimono?

* This article was supervised by Kyoto Kimono Rental Rika Wafuku, operated by TripFarm Co., Ltd..

If You’re Renting a Kimono and Going to Shimogamo Shrine, ‘Rika Wafuku Gion Store’ Is Recommended!

If you plan to rent a kimono in Kyoto, it is highly recommended to use ‘Rika Kimono Rental Gion Store‘. You can easily make reservations 24/7 through their website, and you can also make changes or cancellations to your reservation on the site, making it convenient to plan according to your schedule and the weather. It takes about 20 minutes by train using Keihan Line to reach Shimogamo Shrine.

At ‘Rika Kimono Rental Gion Store’, they offer a wide variety of kimonos, ranging from retro styles to girly kimonos adorned with lace, and even authentic antique kimonos, with over 400 choices to pick from. Additionally, their rental plans are budget-friendly, and the store is conveniently located near the train station, allowing you to easily enjoy kimono rental.

Reasons to Recommend ‘Rika Kimono Rental Gion Store’

Rika Kimono Rental Gion Store allows for same-day reservations, making it the top choice when you suddenly decide, “I want to rent a kimono” during your trip or sightseeing. They offer four main rental plans, including the Kyoto Kimono Rental Student Plan, Kyoto Kimono Hair Set Plan, Kyoto Kimono Couple Plan, and Kyoto School Trip Kimono Rental Plan, catering to various preferences.

The selection of rental plans is very simple and easy to understand, and the plans only differ in whether they include a hair set, so you don’t have to worry about extra charges. For those who prefer a short haircut or want to enjoy styling their own hair, it is recommended to choose the Basic Plan, which includes only kimono rental and dressing. Additionally, the Couple Plan includes dressing, a hair set, and hair accessories, making it a great choice for couples who want to rent kimonos together.

Points to Note When Renting a Kimono and Visiting Shimogamo Shrine

When renting a kimono and visiting Shimogamo Shrine, it is a 13-minute walk from the nearest station, Demachiyanagi Station, and the approach to the shrine is 500 meters long. Since you may experience discomfort in unfamiliar zori sandals, it is recommended to use the city bus when going to Shimogamo Shrine.

If you want to reach your destination by the shortest route, take the Keihan Main Line/Kamo Line from Gion Shijo Station, get off at Demachiyanagi Station, and then take Kyoto City Bus to Shimogamo Shrine Mae. This route takes approximately 7 minutes to Demachiyanagi Station and about 4 minutes by bus to reach Shimogamo Shrine.

Additionally, since there are stairs on the shrine grounds, it’s a good idea to have your kimono hem slightly shorter for ease of walking on the stairs. Shimogamo Shrine has a spacious site, so it’s also a good idea to find a rest area in advance. It’s recommended to allocate time for a leisurely two-hour stroll while taking breaks.

For the latest information about Shimogamo Shrine, please check the official website.

Capture Stunning Photos in Kimono! Recommended Photo Spots at Shimogamo Shrine

Shimogamo Shrine has beautiful spots that can’t be found elsewhere, and by renting a kimono and taking photos, you can capture Instagram-worthy pictures. Here are some recommended spots, so consider them as references for your sightseeing or travel.

Tadasu no Mori

Tadasu no Mori is the approach to Shimogamo Shrine and covers an area of ​​124,000 square meters. It features a pure stream, a large tree-lined path, and transforms beautifully throughout the seasons, with vibrant greenery in summer and colorful autumn leaves in the fall. If you’re renting a kimono and visiting Shimogamo Shrine, be sure to include this photo spot in your itinerary.

Aioi no Yashiro

Aioi no Yashiro enshrines the deity of matchmaking (Musubi no Kami), and it brings blessings not only for romantic relationships but also for couples. The intertwined smart tree (Renri no Sakaki) is a very rare tree where two trees merge into one along the way. It is said that the effectiveness of the prayer increases when you pray to this tree as well. After your prayers, you can take photos with your partner or friends to keep as a cherished memory.

Mitara Pond (Otemon Pond)

When taking photos of Mitara Pond, shoot from the opposite side of the Sakuramon gate, and you can capture a picturesque scene with a bridge and beautiful plum blossoms reflecting in the pond, creating Instagram-worthy photos. If you rent a kimono and have it in your photos, it will perfectly match the ambiance, guaranteeing surreal pictures.

Tips for Enjoying Shimogamo Shrine in Kimono

Throughout the year, Shimogamo Shrine hosts various events. Among them, the ones where kimono attire stands out the most are the Mitarashi Festival (Mitara Festival) and the Illumination Festival in Tadasu no Mori.

Mitarashi Festival

The Mitarashi Festival takes place for about 10 days every year around the day before and after the Day of the Ox (Ushi no Hi). Visitors can dip their feet into the springwater of the Mitarashi Pond within the shrine grounds, praying for good health. During the event, the shrine grounds are adorned with many paper lanterns, and there are numerous food stalls, making it a perfect opportunity to capture retro-style kimono photos using a trendy film camera.

Illumination Festival in Tadasu no Mori

The Illumination Festival in Tadasu no Mori focuses on the theme of “nature becoming art as nature is.” It features a digital art space where visitors can enjoy captivating light displays. By taking photos with the illuminated spheres against the backdrop of the shrine gate, you’re guaranteed to create Instagram-worthy shots. The intricate digital art will immerse you in its unique world.

Recommended Tourist Spots Around Shimogamo Shrine

There are many famous tourist spots around Shimogamo Shrine. When visiting for sightseeing or traveling, consider exploring places like Heian Shrine, Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion), and Nanzen-ji Temple.

Heian Shrine

Heian Shrine is known for its vibrant vermilion-colored grounds and is extremely popular as a tourist attraction. To get from Shimogamo Shrine to Heian Shrine, you can take a bus from Kawaramachi Imadegawa and get off at Higashiyama Nijo Station – Okazaki Koen-guchi. This is the quickest route and takes approximately 12 minutes. Buses run about 6 times per hour.

Heian Shrine is also famous for its cherry blossoms, which can be seen in early to mid-April, offering beautiful weeping cherry blossoms. The Ootorii gate (Grand Gate) at Heian Shrine is another highlight, and the size of the gate is quite impressive when captured in a photo. You’ll be awed by its grandeur.

Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)

Ginkaku-ji, also known as the Silver Pavilion, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts many tourists year-round. To reach Ginkaku-ji from Shimogamo Shrine, you can take a bus from Shimogamo Shrine Mae, get off at Ginkaku-ji Michi, and transfer to the Ginkaku-ji Michi bus. This is the quickest route and takes about 24 minutes.

Ginkaku-ji offers breathtaking views from its observation deck, allowing you to see the entire temple grounds. On clear days, the contrast between the crystal-clear blue sky and the autumn foliage is stunning, and in winter, you can admire Ginkaku-ji adorned in a snowy landscape.

Nanzen-ji Temple

Nanzen-ji Temple is so famous that it’s counted among Japan’s Big Three Gates, and you can see nostalgic architectural structures there. If you’re heading to Nanzen-ji Temple from Shimogamo Shrine, the quickest route is to get off at Demachiyanagi Station from Shimogamo Shrine, then take the Keihan Okazaki Line from Demachiyanagi Station to Keage Station, and finally, head to Nanzen-ji Temple via Sanjo Station. It takes about 4 minutes per transfer on the train, and it’s a 10-minute walk from Keage Station to Nanzen-ji Temple.

Nanzen-ji Temple is also famous as a tourist spot, and if you rent a kimono, you can take photos with a unique atmosphere, especially at the red-brick aqueduct called “Suirokaku.” If you use a film camera, you can capture even more profound and nostalgic photos.

If you choose to rent a kimono and explore Shimogamo Shrine, you’ll have a different and memorable day of sightseeing and travel. Consider using Rika Kimono Gion Store for kimono rental, as it offers convenient access from the station. Since Shimogamo Shrine hosts various events throughout the year, it’s also a good idea to plan your kimono rental around your preferred event.