Strolling Through Kyoto’s Old Streets in a Kimono – As If Transported to the Edo Era

Photo & Text /sya
Coming to Kyoto, a city with numerous World Heritage Sites and traditional architecture, of course you should experience wearing Japanese traditional attire. “Sanpo” means stroll in Japanese, and somehow, kimono experiences have become an incredibly popular activity for travelers in Kyoto. Based on recommendations from friends and online research, I found two popular kimono rental shops: “Someya” (染匠) and “Okamoto Orimono” (冈本织物). I’ve only rented from Someya, so the comparison between the two is based on online information and my personal experience, which you can refer tohttp://blog.xuite.net/stuart_lin/nbxtour/58088317.
▲ Kimono strolling route map near Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

Our itinerary that day involved taking a bus to “Higashiyama Yasui” Station (not “Kiyomizu-dera” Station). We arrived at Someya around ten in the morning to change into our kimonos, and we set off at about eleven. One of our main wishes for this trip was to spend a relaxed and special day in the old streets of Kyoto while wearing a kimono on our birthday. To be honest, the day before putting on the kimono, I was worried it might look a bit out of place or unnatural. But when I actually walked through the alleys in my kimono, I realized all my worries were unnecessary.

The area around here, apart from Someya, also has at least one other shop—Okamoto Orimono—on Kiyomizu-zaka. So there are quite a few tourists in kimonos around here. And besides the usual kimono outfits, many girls walk around dressed as maiko (apprentice geisha), so the path up to Kiyomizu-dera offers not just the beauty of ancient architecture, but also an alternative scenic view formed by the visitors themselves.

This is truly a rather unique business model. Thanks to the kimono rental industry, more and more tourists are dressed in traditional Japanese clothing, which further enhances the traditional atmosphere of the area, creating a perfect synergy between commerce and tourism. This makes walking along the old stone paths of Kiyomizu-zaka, Sannen-zaka, Ninen-zaka, and Ichinen-zaka feel almost like stepping back in time to the streets of Japan from one or two hundred years ago.

After this trip to Kyoto, I finally understood what a real old street is. It’s not just about the ancient buildings—the designs of nearby shops and their outdoor displays also strive to match the ambiance of the old street. Walking along the path toward Kiyomizu-dera, you get to enjoy the lively atmosphere while still capturing the essence of exploring an old street. During my few days in Kyoto, aside from the temples recommended in travel guides, this old street experience was truly the most memorable part for me—and on Sannen-zaka, we even had the romantic experience of light snow falling. Ninnen-zaka felt like a journey through time—you could just close your eyes and drift back to that era.

▲ A dedicated elderly lady takes every step and detail seriously and insists on doing everything properly. Each layer is fitted firmly.


▲ Enjoying a relaxed and special day strolling through the old streets in a kimono.



▲ Someya allows you to rent a kimono for the whole day, as long as you return it by 18:00. Mine was tied a bit too tightly, so I returned it around five. Took a happy photo with the elderly lady and the shop staff.


▲ Not just the ancient buildings—the designs of nearby shops and their outdoor displays also strive to match the ambiance of the old street.


▲ It really feels like you’ve stepped onto the streets of Japan from one or two hundred years ago.

Someya
Address: 470, Shimokawaramachi, Kiyomizu-monmae, Kiyamachi-dori, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City
Phone: +81-75-531-3981
Website: http://www.sensho-kitamura.jp/info/chinese.html



※ This article is provided by “Sya (Saiya)’s Travel Blog.”