Higashiyama area is one my most favorite route to guide. I always feel those traditional Japanese clothes and the historical Kyoto viewing is perfect matching!
And I should say, one of the most popular souvenirs from Kyoto will be Kimono or Yukata (light cotton kimono)
Why don't you enjoy the Japanese traditional mood even at your home after getting back from your trip!
Kimono and Yukata is very different. Kimono is made of silk, so rather official and expensive clothes, on the other hand Yukata is made of cotton, very casual and reasonable to get like homewear. The problem for overseas people after buying these traditional clothes is to try to wear Kimono yourself at your home.
So I would like to introduce here "how to wear yukata"!
For kimono, there's many more steps about what and how to wear, so you can learn "how to wear yukata" at first as your basic information!!
If you wear yukata for the first time, I recommend to buy all you need to wear, such as Obi belt, Koshi himo and Geta sandal. So you can wear your yukata on the very day when arrive at your home.
How to Wear Yukata
Here is both explanation and short movie.
Short Movie for Step 1 to Step 4
You can use the Koshi-himo(waist string) twice, use the 2nd string after the 1st string of removing any creases at front and back, in order to put on your obi later easy and beautifuly
Step 1: Wear Yukata and adjust its width
Wear Underwear called "Hadajuban", or just long camisole, and Wear the Yukata. Bring the left overlap over the body and adjust its width such that its edge runs along the right point of the hipbone, and continue to hold the yukata tightly. Open up the left overlap and bring the right overlap over the body. Lift the end of the right overlap by about 3-5cm. The skirting of the yukata is worn just above the ankles. Put the left elbow on the right hand so that the Yukata doesn't loosen, and pull the right hand.
Step 2: Tie up the 1st koshi-himo
Bring the left overlap over the right overlap and hold its end with the right hand. Take the first waist sash (‘koshi himo’ sash) with the left hand. Remove any creases around the stomach, waist and back with the left hand. Tie the ‘koshi himo’ sash at around hipbone. If you put on the Obi with a waist, you will suffer from hard obi.
Step 3: remove any creases
Insert both hands into the openings under the arm (‘miyatsuguchi’). Use both hands to remove any creases around the waist on both the back and front of the body. Hold the ‘centre’ line on the back with the left hand and adjust the distance between the collar and neck by pulling the collar ends with the right hand. Please note that the distance between the collar and the neck should be the size of a clenched fist.
Step 4: Tie up the 2nd koshi-himo
Fold the top right overlap to make a triangle shape. Bring the upper left overlap over the upper right overlap. Tie the upper overlaps with a second ‘koshi himo’ sash. Check that the top and bottom parts are aligned. Check the centre line on the back.
Step 5: Put on Obi
Hold the obi board (‘obi ita’) with the left hand. Please note that ‘obi ita’ is used to maintain the shape of the obi tie. Wear the ‘obi ita’ on the front of the body.
Short Movie for Step 5 (Hira-Obi)
Short Movie for Step 5 (Heko-Obi)
If you feel it's impossible to tie obi yourself, I recommend you to use Tsukuri-obi. This obi is "Pre Tie Obi", the ribbon part is already completed so you don't have to tie yourself! you just can attach it to the back :)
Short Movie for Step 5 (Tsukiri-obi)
We say, the 1st step for "Kimono-Bijin", or Kimono Beauty is to fold the clothes in the proper way. Not so difficult if you just remember the basic points.
How to Fold Yukata >>> Click
Each short movie is from the internet shopping store "Yukata kimono market sakura". They have a shop in Tokyo, between Chofu and Fuda station. (no store in Kyoto). There is many Kimono, Yukata stores in the middle of Kyoto city, Shijo-Kawaramachi area.
Enjoy dressed in beautiful yukata to walk through the Kyoto's traditional streets! Or Get them as souvenirs for you or your friends and enjoy Kyoto-Bijin at home!! :)
