Your immersive kimono experience takes place in Kyoto’s famed Gion district, the most famous geisha district in all of Japan (though in Kyoto, geisha are referred to as geiko). Meet your professional dresser at the New Miyako Hotel. The kimono shop where your transformation takes place is located near the iconic Yasaka Shrine and a short walk from the Kiyomizu Temple and the Heian Jingu Shrine, all of which you may want to explore before or after the kimono experience.
Peruse a large selection of kimonos to find that special one that calls out to you, with the help of your personal stylist. There are kimonos available for men as well as women. Complete your ensemble by selecting your obi (a traditional Japanese sash), undershirt, overcoat, shawl, handbag and sandals. Details are key, so you’ll receive a pair of Japanese tabis (socks with split toes to wear with the sandals), which you can take home with you as a souvenir.
Once you’re all dressed up, set out for a stroll through Gion for approximately 70 minutes. Admire the old wood-latticed buildings as you walk down the intimate narrow streets or along the willow-lined canal. Walk to iconic sights like the Kiyomizu Temple or Yasaka Shrine, exploring Gion’s fascinating side streets and maybe even spotting a geiko or two along the way. See traditional teahouses and restaurants and learn the secrets of the ancient traditional art of the geisha or geiko.