Tokyo › Kimono session
Shared with our clients' permission. The photos are retouched.
Walking around Asakusa in a kimono is on many Tokyo itineraries. The giant lantern at Kaminarimon, the vermilion torii of Nezu Shrine and the stepping stones at Kiyosumi Gardens all suit a kimono beautifully. On a Tokyo kimono session the photographer walks the route with you, guides your stance, walk and hand positions, and makes sure the patterns and lines of the kimono come through.
Important: in Tokyo we offer photography only. We don’t provide kimono rental, dressing, makeup or hair. Bring your own kimono or rent one from a kimono rental shop, and confirm the rental details and fees directly with the shop.
Fitting the rental around the shoot
- Fix the shoot date and location first, then book a kimono rental shop. Asakusa has many rental shops; one near the shoot location saves walking
- Check the shop’s opening and return times, allow time for dressing and hair, then agree a meeting time with the photographer
- Whether hair styling and accessories are included depends on the shop
- The session follows your package length, and travel between locations counts toward it. Walking in zori is slower than usual, so keep the route compact
- Return the kimono by the time the rental shop sets
Kimono photo routes in Tokyo
- Senso-ji + Sumida Park: Kaminarimon’s lantern, Nakamise and the five-story pagoda, then Skytree from the Sumida River. The classic kimono route; make it your first stop to avoid crowds
- Yanaka Ginza + Nezu Shrine: Yanaka’s old shops and slopes for strolling shots, Nezu Shrine’s vermilion torii for front-on portraits. The two make one walking route
- Kiyosumi Gardens: A clean backdrop of pond, stones and waterside paths that shows off kimono patterns
- Koishikawa Korakuen: Ponds, bridges and wooded paths, with autumn leaves in season. Portrait shoots need an advance application and review, so book early
- Shibamata Taishakuten + approach street: Wooden shopfronts, dango shops and the Taishakuten approach for Showa-style kimono street shots
Kimono colors by season
🌸 Spring (Mar–Apr)
Cherry pink, off-white and lavender go well with the cherry blossoms at Sumida Park and Koishikawa Korakuen
☀️ Summer (Jun–Aug)
Light blue, mint and white-based yukata feel fresh. Tokyo summers are hot and humid, so shoot in the morning or evening
🍁 Autumn (Oct–Dec)
Orange-red, wine and deep green. Autumn leaves at Koishikawa Korakuen usually peak from late November to early December
❄️ Winter (Dec–Feb)
Navy, grey and gold accents with a haori or shawl, against temple buildings
Kimono posing tips
- Stand with one foot slightly ahead of the other and turn your body a little to the side; the kimono line looks better
- Take small steps; the photographer catches the sleeves and hem in motion
- Rest a hand on your sleeve, or hold a fan or small bag, instead of letting both arms hang straight
- Looking back, looking down at flowers and sitting sideways on a step are easy poses that work
- For front-on shots, relax your shoulders and tuck your chin slightly