The secret to adding a special flair to your date in Kyoto is to rent a kimono for a walk. Here, we introduce how couples can enjoy a date in Kyoto and recommended spots to share special moments. Why not spend a special day just for the two of you in Kyoto, surrounded by tradition and beauty?

The charm of a kimono date, combining tradition and love

A kimono date is not only a great opportunity to enjoy beautiful costumes, but also a great opportunity to deepen your bond as a couple. Spending time wearing traditional beauty along with the atmosphere of the ancient capital of Kyoto will add a new page to your relationship. Here, we will focus on the charm of a kimono date and the points to deepen your mutual love.

Advantages of Kimono Date

– Make your date special: A kimono that stands out from your everyday clothes will make your date special. Amidst the good old scenery of Kyoto, traditional attire will enhance your time together and create unforgettable memories.

– Deepen your understanding of the other person: By experiencing the process of choosing and wearing a kimono together, you may discover new aspects of the other person’s tastes and personality. In addition, consideration for each other naturally arises, such as the restrictions on movement that come with wearing a kimono.

– Sharing a cultural experience: A date in kimono is more than just a walk. By visiting Kyoto’s temples and shrines and experiencing traditional crafts, you can learn deeply about Japanese culture and history, and develop common topics and interests.

Points to deepen your love on a kimono date

– Choose a kimono for each other: Choosing a kimono together before a date is a good opportunity to deepen your understanding of each other. Respecting the other person’s preferences and enjoying the process of choosing will bring the two of you closer together.

– Be aware of the distance you hold hands: When you’re wearing a kimono, you’ll be walking with a different sense of distance than usual. The distance you hold hands with and the actions you take to show concern for the other person are natural triggers for deepening your love.

– Preserve shared memories: A date in a kimono is a special experience, so we recommend capturing it in photos. Let’s create a shared memory by choosing a location for the two of us and posing in kimono.

– Enjoy traditional activities: On your kimono date in Kyoto, you may want to try traditional activities such as experiencing a tea ceremony or making Japanese sweets. The experience of trying new things together will strengthen your bond with each other.

A world just for the two of us, a hidden spot in Kyoto

Many people may think of famous tourist spots like Kinkaku-ji and Kiyomizu-dera when they think of Kyoto, but there are still many little-known spots in this ancient capital, where you can create a world just for the two of you. There is stillness and beauty. By visiting in kimono, you can make your time even more special. Here are some hidden spots that are perfect for a kimono date.

Philosophical path

While Philosopher’s Path is crowded with tourists, there is a “Philosopher’s Path” nearby that is still unknown to many people. This is a quieter, greener space where you can feel the nature of Kyoto and enjoy a relaxed walk while wearing a kimono. The two of you will be able to enjoy the beauty of each season, with cherry blossoms in the spring and autumn leaves in the fall.

Nison-in Temple

Nison-in, located near Kodai-ji Temple, is a quiet temple a little away from the tourist spots. The garden has a seasonal atmosphere, and the autumn leaves are especially beautiful. Special viewings are also held here from time to time, and you may be able to see treasures that are not normally open to the public. The quiet environment and space that gives you a sense of deep history will make your time together in kimono even more valuable.

Ryoanji Backyard

Ryoanji Temple is famous for its rock garden, but the temple grounds are vast and there are other things to see besides the rock garden, which is visited by many tourists. The backyard, in particular, is off the beaten track and is a hidden spot where you can spend some quiet time. A kimono date in this lush green place is sure to bring the two of you closer together.

Kazuno Murasaki

If you want to enjoy Kyoto’s traditional Japanese sweets, we recommend “Shino Wakuden”. The main store is located a little away from tourist spots, so you can enjoy the sweetness unique to Kyoto in a calm atmosphere. You can also experience making Japanese sweets, so the two of you can have a fun time making Japanese sweets together.

Nonomiya Shrine

Nonomiya Shrine, tucked away away from the crowds of Arashiyama, is known as the god of love fulfillment. Although it is a small shrine, its quiet space provides visitors with a peaceful time. For lovers, it may be the perfect place to deepen their bond.

Gourmet tour for kimono date

Walking through the streets of Kyoto in a kimono is like a journey through time. Enjoying a meal amidst such beautiful scenery will further enrich your special experience. Here, we will suggest restaurants and cafes that are perfect for a kimono date, as well as gastronomic tours where you can enjoy the unique flavors of Kyoto. Spend time deepening your love while enjoying the culture of the ancient capital with all five senses.

Enjoy traditional cuisine unique to Kyoto

– Kitcho Arashiyama Main Branch: Known as a famous Kyoto cuisine restaurant, Kitcho offers seasonal cuisine against the backdrop of Arashiyama’s beautiful nature. Enjoy carefully selected kaiseki cuisine made with Kyoto vegetables and local ingredients in a quiet and relaxing space. By wearing a kimono, your date will feel even more special.

– Okazaki Tsuruya: If you want to enjoy duck dishes in Kyoto, we recommend Okazaki Tsuruya. You can enjoy a variety of dishes using duck, such as duck hotpot and duck suki, making it perfect for a winter date. You can spend a warm time with hot food.

Casual cafes and sweets

– Saryo Tsujiri Arashiyama Main Branch: Located near Arashiyama’s bamboo forest, this cafe serves Japanese sweets with a focus on matcha. In particular, the Tsujiri Parfait looks beautiful and you can enjoy the rich flavor of matcha. It’s perfect for spending a relaxing cafe time in kimono.

– eXcafe Kyoto: One of the best cafes to visit in kimono is eXcafe, located near the Kyoto Imperial Palace. This cafe is a renovated old house, and is a place where you can relax in a modern Japanese space. You can enjoy a peaceful time while enjoying light meals and sweets made with ingredients unique to Kyoto.

Gastronomic tour exploring local flavors

– Stroll through Nishiki Market: Why not sample fresh local ingredients, traditional Kyoto pickles, handmade Japanese sweets, and more as you walk through Nishiki Market, also known as Kyoto’s kitchen? Walking through a market filled with colorful produce is a visually pleasing experience.

– Touring sweets shops in Kyoto townhouses: Kyoto has many sweets shops that have been renovated from old townhouses. Spending a relaxing time in a relaxing space while enjoying Japanese sweets unique to Kyoto is perfect for a kimono date.

How to enjoy a kimono date in all seasons in Kyoto

Kyoto is known for its ancient capital atmosphere and beautiful scenery throughout the seasons, and spending time wearing a kimono is a great opportunity to experience this beautiful scenery even more deeply. In Kyoto, which has different charms depending on the season, such as cherry blossoms in spring, Gion Festival in summer, autumn leaves, and snowy scenery in winter, we will introduce spots and activities where you can enjoy a kimono date.

Spring: Walking with cherry blossoms

Speaking of Kyoto in spring, it is definitely cherry blossoms. In particular, the areas around Tetsugaku no Michi, Maruyama Park, and Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama are known as cherry blossom viewing spots, and are perfect places to take a leisurely stroll in a kimono. You can feel the good old days of Kyoto while walking along the path where the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. You can also enjoy cherry blossoms at night on spring nights, making it perfect for a romantic date.

Summer: Gion Festival and in search of summer coolness

Kyoto is crowded with people during the summer due to the Gion Festival. At this time of year, we recommend wearing a kimono to watch the Yamahoko parade during the Gion Festival. Another way to avoid the summer heat is to enjoy Kawadoko cuisine along the Kamogawa River. You can enjoy delicious food unique to Kyoto while feeling the cool river breeze. You can also feel the coolness of nature by visiting Arashiyama’s bamboo forest.

Autumn: Autumn leaves viewing date

When you think of Kyoto in autumn, you can’t miss viewing the autumn leaves. Kodaiji, Eikando, and Tenryuji are especially famous for their autumn leaves. If you visit these places wearing a kimono, you can fully experience the atmosphere of Kyoto in autumn. If you take a commemorative photo with the beautiful scenery of autumn leaves in the background, it will definitely become a cherished memory for the two of you.

Winter: Warm up with snowy scenery

Kyoto in winter becomes even more atmospheric when it snows. In particular, the snow-covered scenery of Kinkaku-ji Temple and Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a sight to behold. It takes a little courage to wear a kimono on a date in the cold, but it will bring the two of you closer together. After enjoying Kyoto in winter, we recommend warming yourself up with sweets and hot dishes unique to Kyoto at cafes and restaurants that have been converted into machiya houses.