Higashiyama

Communication in Chinese was seamless; the staff were professional and friendly; there was a wide variety of kimono styles available; and the location was convenient.

Our first stop was Katsuo-ji Temple. We arrived at 9 am and there weren't many tourists, making for a very leisurely stroll. The Daruma Wall was magnificent and a great spot for photos! The autumn leaves were beautiful at the end of November… Our second stop was Kiyomizu-dera Temple. We got off at Chion-in Temple and walked through Tanzan Park, Kodai-ji Temple, Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka, Omotesando, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple – a great route for sightseeing! It was just that we didn't have enough time! If the itinerary included the first two stops, it would be fantastic! Our third stop was Arashiyama; Togetsukyo Bridge was too crowded!

My first kimono experience! I asked the shop a lot of questions on Instagram beforehand, and there were staff members who spoke Chinese! I'm so grateful to them for patiently answering all my questions. I chose the furisode I'd been wanting, and I was worried I wouldn't be able to find the style I saw on the shop's Instagram, but luckily I found it on the day!! The kimono-wearing instructor was very kind and had great strength, making sure the kimono wouldn't come undone. The stylist was also fantastic! I never thought I could look so good 😍 If you're unsure which level of kimono you're looking for, don't worry, you can choose a basic one first. The staff will explain the price range, and if you like a different level, you can just pay the difference. There were no hidden costs! The only minor inconvenience was the shoes. If you're going to visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple, I recommend wearing your own shoes. The kimono shoes provided by the shop were quite painful towards the end 😂 Other than that, there's nothing to complain about~ I'd definitely go again if I have the chance ❤