Hatsumode is a traditional Japanese event. I think there are many people who visit some shrine or temple at the beginning of every year.
Especially since Kyoto is home to many famous shrines and temples, many people visit every year.
When welcoming the New Year, it is also stylish to “wear a kimono and visit the New Year’s shrine.” Here, with the theme of “What if you want to wear a rental kimono for New Year’s visit?”, we will tell you about patterns that are suitable for New Year’s visit to Japan, and the benefits of renting a kimono for New Year’s visit.

We will also introduce measures to protect you from the cold when wearing a kimono and popular New Year’s visit spots in Kyoto, so please use them as a reference for this year’s New Year’s visit!

Waplus Kyoto not only offers rental kimonos, but also furisode (furisode).
If you are a long-sleeved kimono fan, please take a look!

What pattern is suitable for a New Year’s visit kimono?

When you go to New Year’s visit in a kimono, there is no rule that says “this pattern is not allowed”. So, basically you can wear whatever pattern you like, but I think there are many people who get confused when it comes to choosing anything.

Here, we will tell you about four patterns that are suitable for the special occasion of New Year’s visit. I would be happy if you could use this as a reference when choosing your kimono!

Auspicious pattern

Auspicious patterns refer to all patterns that are considered to bring good luck and have been used since ancient times. For example, there are cranes and turtles, which are well-known symbols of longevity, and fans, which symbolize spreading at the end.

Among them, the pattern called “Treasure Exhaustion” can be said to be perfect for New Year’s visit. Treasure-related patterns refer to patterns that are studded with various treasure-related motifs. For example, jewels, hammered gavels, cloisonné, scrolls, etc. are depicted.

A kimono with a treasure-filled pattern, which is covered with various auspicious treasures, is one of the perfect patterns for a New Year’s visit to pray for good luck for the coming year.

Shochikubai

Shochikubai is still used in grading Japanese cuisine. This is also one of the auspicious patterns.

It is said that pine symbolizes longevity, bamboo symbolizes growth and prosperity, and plum symbolizes beauty and nobility.

Once you know the meanings above, you can also dress smartly by choosing a pattern that symbolizes your wishes from among the pine, chiku, and plum blossoms. At the beginning of the year, which is New Year’s visit, why not choose a kimono by knowing the meaning of the pattern?

Cherry blossoms

Some people may think, “Aren’t the cherry blossoms blooming a little early for New Year’s visit?” However, there is a custom in kimono to choose a pattern that is a little ahead of its time in order to give the viewer a sense of the upcoming season.

Cherry blossoms, the representative flower of spring, symbolize splendor and the arrival of spring (the arrival of good things).

For those who want to visit New Year’s visit in a gorgeous atmosphere, we recommend choosing a pattern of flowers such as cherry blossoms.

Enjoy the New Year even more! 3 benefits of wearing a rental kimono

For those who think that renting a kimono for New Year’s Day seems a little difficult, we will tell you three benefits of renting a kimono in Kyoto for New Year’s visit.

① You can enjoy the New Year’s atmosphere even more by wearing a kimono

By wearing kimono, which is Japanese clothing, to the traditional Japanese event of New Year’s visit, you can enjoy the atmosphere of New Year and New Year’s visit even more.

Also, if you take photos with your family, friends, and loved ones in kimono, you will be able to take memorable photos of your New Year’s visit.

You can enjoy it at a very low price during the New Year event

Many things become expensive during the New Year, as there is something called “New Year’s prices,” but if you rent a kimono, you can enjoy it at a much lower price.

For example, at Waplus Kyoto, we offer kimono rentals starting at the lowest price of 2,980 yen. Also, if you are a couple, you can tour around Kyoto for a day for a total of 8,800 yen.

Kyoto Kimono Rental Plan

There are many places in Kyoto where kimonos look great

Kyoto has many famous shrines and temples such as Yasaka Shrine and Kiyomizu Temple! By renting a kimono when visiting Kyoto for the New Year’s visit, you will be able to experience Japanese culture more deeply.

Three things to keep in mind when wearing a kimono for New Year’s visit

So far, we have recommended renting a kimono for New Year’s visit, but there are some things to keep in mind that are unique to the New Year.

Here, we will tell you three things to keep in mind when wearing a kimono for New Year’s visit.

Kimono rental time may take longer to get dressed

Kyoto, which is a popular tourist destination even without anything else, becomes even more crowded with tourists and travelers during the New Year season.
Therefore, if you are planning to rent a kimono for New Year’s visit, please reserve well in advance.
We recommend that you plan accordingly and assume that it will take a little longer to put on the kimono.

Kyoto kimono rental plan reservation

Kyoto’s winters are cold, so take measures to protect yourself from the cold!

In Kyoto, the temperature drops to -2 to 3 degrees in the middle of winter, and it sometimes snows. Also, since it is a basin, the perceived temperature tends to be even lower.

In fact, even when you’re wearing a coat, you often get so cold that you feel cold from the core of your body.

Therefore, be sure to be prepared with cold weather gear such as warmers and scarves. Kimono is especially prone to coldness coming in through your hands, feet, and neck, so if you take proper precautions, you’ll notice a big difference in the temperature you feel.

Waplus Kyoto is only available in winter Introducing warm kimono coordination.

Please enjoy wearing arm warmers and other fashionable items that are perfect for the cold weather!
Of course, you can rent it at Waplus Kyoto♪

Popular shrines and temples are quite crowded

Many people may have expected this, but Kyoto is much more crowded during the New Year than usual.

Especially when it comes to New Year’s Day shrine visit, visitors often have to wait in line for hours.

Of course, that is one of the best parts of New Year’s visit, but if you want to avoid crowds as much as possible, we recommend visiting after noon or on a date after January 4th.

The peak number of people visiting New Year’s visit is from midnight to noon before New Year’s Day, so it might be a good idea to take time off from that time and enjoy the New Year’s visit a little more slowly.

Popular New Year’s visit spots in Kyoto

Here we will tell you about some of the most popular New Year’s visit spots in Kyoto.

However, the actual situation, worship route, closing time, etc. change depending on the year, so we recommend consulting with the staff at the kimono rental store before you actually go!

*Depending on the coronavirus situation, the details of the New Year’s visit may change.

Yasaka Shrine

Yasaka Shrine, famous for the Gion Festival, is a popular spot that attracts many visitors on New Year’s visit.

About 1 million people are expected to visit Yasaka Shrine on the first three days of the year, and there will be events such as food stalls and Okera Pilgrimage.

One-way traffic is restricted during busy times, so if you want to make a New Year’s visit to Yasaka Shrine, we recommend that you decide in advance which route you will take.

Also, there are not many restrooms, so it’s a good idea to use the restroom beforehand.

Waplus Kyoto is located a 1-minute walk from Yasaka Shrine, so you can head to Yasaka Shrine after finishing your shopping at the store.

Kyoto kimono rental shop

Kiyomizu Temple

Kiyomizu Temple is famous for the “Kiyomizu Stage” where the kanji of the year is announced every year. This temple, which is also a World Heritage Site, is also one of Kyoto’s standard New Year’s visit spots.

As expected, it gets quite crowded on the third day of the month, so it’s best to plan on waiting in line for at least an hour.

If you want to avoid crowds, we recommend visiting the shrine after January 4th.

Heian Shrine

Heian Shrine is a large shrine located in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, near Okazaki Park. Every year during the New Year’s visit, stalls and stalls appear, creating a lively atmosphere.

Heian Shrine is a shrine with a vast site, but it is still crowded on New Year’s Day and the third day of the month. If you want to avoid the crowds, it is best to visit at night or after January 4th.

Summary｜Enjoy the first visit to Kyoto in a kimono!

So far, we have told you about “Recommended kimono patterns for New Year’s visit to Kyoto” and “The benefits of renting a kimono for New Year’s visit to Kyoto.”

The New Year’s visit to Kyoto is very crowded, but you still want to visit the shrine and welcome the new year with a new feeling.

We would be happy if you could use Waplus Kyoto’s rental kimono when you enjoy your New Year’s visit to Kyoto!