About this tour
When Sarah from our team tried the OSHARE Asakusa Kimono Rental, she walked out looking like she'd stepped off a period drama set. The experience sits right in the heart of Asakusa — a quick stroll from the station, with Senso-ji Temple and the neon glow of Tokyo Skytree as your backdrop. You pick from over 700 kimonos (everything from proper traditional to modern-retro hybrids), get styled head-to-toe by pros, then wander around one of Tokyo's busiest heritage precincts in full costume. The outfit runs a full day, and they stay open late — handy for evening temple shots. Most travellers doing this are after those Instagram-worthy snaps, and the late hours mean fewer crowds for photos.
Highlights
- 700+ kimono styles to choose from — retro, modern, seasonal designs included
- Professional hair and makeup team handles the full styling
- Steps from Senso-ji Temple and Kaminarimon gate for instant scenery
- Open until 10 p.m. — beat the daytime tourist crush
- Free luggage storage lets you roam hands-free
- Photography service available to capture your styled self
- Close to Tokyo Skytree for evening shots with skyline backdrop
What to expect
Sarah arrived early and spent a good 30–45 minutes selecting her kimono — genuinely spoilt for choice across the rails. The stylists then took about an hour to do hair, makeup, and final fitting. The pacing is relaxed; they're not rushing you through. Once you're dressed, you're free to explore on your own terms. Asakusa at midday is rammed with tour groups, but if you time it for late afternoon or early evening (the shop's open until 10 p.m.), the temple grounds quieten down considerably and light hits the lanterns beautifully. You can wander as far as you like — the area's compact and walkable. The whole vibe is designed for photos: locals in costume are common enough that you won't feel glaringly out of place, and tourists actively expect you to be poseable.
What surprised Sarah was how comfortable the kimonos actually felt once fastened properly — no tugging or slipping. The stylists know what they're doing. The main thing is managing your own transport to and from the shop and covering any food or coffee whilst you're out.
What travellers say
- Enormous kimono selection — styles for every taste and confidence level
- Professional styling ensures you actually look polished, not costumey
- Late opening hours mean better light and fewer crowds
- Prime location steps from Senso-ji Temple and Skytree views
- Luggage storage included — explore freely without backpack stress
- Transport to and from the shop is your responsibility and cost
- Asakusa remains crowded and touristy even outside peak hours
- Photography add-on service costs extra — not included in base fee
- Wearing kimono all day requires comfort being photographed constantly
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is brilliant if you want a polished, proper kimono experience without pretending it's anything other than a photo op — which is fine. The 700-strong selection means almost everyone finds something they genuinely like rather than settling. Professional styling and hair mean you look genuinely good, not like you've wrapped yourself in a costume. The late opening hours are a genuine advantage; come in at 5 or 6 p.m., get ready, and explore in softer light with fewer crowds. Small groups or solo travellers suit this well.
You need to sort your own transport (the shop's near the station, but no pickups included). Walking around in full kimono for hours requires a certain level of comfort being photographed constantly — it's not subtle. Asakusa itself is touristy and crowded even in the evening. The package doesn't include photography services; that's an add-on. If you're not interested in photos or dressing up purely for the experience, it might feel gimmicky. Bring cash for snacks and drinks whilst you're out.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.