[Kimono Rental] First Kimono 着物レンタルfirst

2019/11/17

After reviewing many many, many different kimono rental shops, I decided to choose First Kimono, mainly due to their affordable prices...

There are a total of 9 stores across Japan, most located in Kyoto. We end up deciding to go with Kiyomizu Shinkan shop as it was more convenient to the places we will be visiting, and, Iiked the look of that shop from the pictures on their site lol.

Plans

Like most kimono rental shops, they have quite a variety of plans available. First Kimono offers discounts for reservations made online.

One thing that surprised me when checking their website was the popularity of the plans differ between foreign languages and Japanese.

Japanese site:

Antique Plan
Select Plan
Nishaku Plan
Hakama Plan

I guess it makes sense since Japanese people wouldn't normally rent a furisode unless it is for a special occasion or for the coming of age ceremony.

Another thing I didn't notice before I made my reservation was the Japanese version of the site offers an antique plan which the English and other languages don't. Retro/antique designs have been pretty popular in Japan for the recent years, if you want to wear these designs, make sure to make your reservation through the Japanese site!

Price

The price at First Kimono is pretty reasonable imo, with the web discounts, it ranges from 3000-8000 yen.

Each plan includes all of the innerwear, socks, shoes, bag, and a hair accessory.

If you would like, they have optional plans you can add to your plan:

Obi Upgrade: 1000 yen (?)

Hair setting: 1500 yen (if reserve online 1000 yen)

Makeup: 1500 yen

Selection

I won't personally recommend renting furisode at the Shimizu Shinkan station. There weren't as many styles as I had hoped for, this room stores all their kimono/yukata.

From videos and blogs I've seen for other rentals, they have a far wider range of patterns to choose from, so if you want to have more selections, I would not recommend renting a furisode at this store.

/though for those with a problem making up their minds, maybe this would help you decide faster... definitely helped me choose something within 5 mins.. LOL

their furisode collection

In the next room, half is closed space for the changing room, the other half is the hairstyling, makeup space.

Inside of the changing room are where the inner pieces and the obi ropes are kept. I quickly snapped this photo before taking off this beautiful kimono at the end of the day. lol!

For the obi, I opted for an upgrade to a fancier musubi style as opposed to the regular taiko knot.

All the hair accessories/hats available are laid out on the table, the bags and shoes on the shelves by the rear end wall.

There is a booklet of hairstyles you can choose from if you added this option to your plan. Though I believe you can also request other styles you have in mind.

a page of the hair styles booklet, more suitable for medium to long hair.

The style on the far left is the no.1 popular design. I chose the third one from the left.

Not sure if you can tell from this selfie, but look at how amazingly gorgeous my hair looks! Never in a million years can I do this myself, so that was definitely a good 1000 yen spent ♥

obligatory feet shot lol!

Hours & Convenience

First Kimono Kiyomizu Shinkan is open from 9am-8pm. They accept same day kimono returns until 8pm closing time, a pretty generous time span as most stores require returns by around 6pm.

There are a total of 9 stores all over Japan, 4 of those in Kyoto. Depending where you would like to start and spend your day, there is a store nearby to rent!

Experience

Since this is my first time wearing a kimono I didn't know what to expect except from what I have read online. I actually don't think wearing a kimono is that uncomfortable, probably similar to wearing a nicely fitted corset, the garment really keeps your back straight.

When we went to return our kimono, the lady that helped me undress commented how she was surprised they had to fit three layer of towels on my waist as usually they would only use one... I'm glad she told me that as I thought it was just the norm to stuff a bunch of cloths inside your kimono! haha.

The staff were really friendly and we had a nice chat while they were doing my hair. I'm not sure how many languages First Kimono can cater to, but they definitely have staff that can communicate in English and Chinese.

***

Verdict

Overall ★★★✰

❁Kimono ★★★

❁Service ★★★★

❁Price ★★★★✰

I ended up adding a whole bunch of upgrades to my plan... because why not? This will probably be my first and last time wearing a furisode LOL.

Overall, First Kimono was a good experience. Despite the lack of choices, service was friendly and efficient, they finished dressing us and setting our hair in less than an hour. They have a nice variety of antique kimonos and offer different styles of obi knots other than the classic taiko knot or the nijudaiko knot.

I really liked my outfit, but thinking back now, I think I may have went a bit overkill with the colour combination... I looked like I am going to a new year's party :L

Nontheless, I still think red is a beautiful colour on kimonos and can really help you pop in photographs.

I'm already thinking about what colour to choose on my next experience!