Kyoto’s old lanes make a fine setting for a kimono stroll, and MOCOMOCO puts you right by Yasaka Shrine and Gion. I like the huge choice of styles, with more than 700 kimono and yukata sets, and the chance to add an outdoor photo session with a photographer who can guide your poses.
I also like the practical location: you can start near Yasaka Shrine and walk toward Gion, Hanamikoji, Kodai-ji, or the Kiyomizu-dera area. The main caveat is that the advertised starting price covers only some packages. Hair styling, makeup, and photography depend on the option you book, so check the inclusions before choosing.
- At a glance
- Choose a kimono, then make it your own
- Getting dressed without losing half the morning
- Yasaka Shrine, Gion, and the streets beyond
- What the photo session adds
- The price and what it buys
- Who will enjoy this most
- Practical details before you book
- Should you book MOCOMOCO Yasaka Shrine and Gion?
- FAQ
- Where is MOCOMOCO’s Yasaka Shrine and Gion shop?
- What is included in the kimono rental?
- How many kimono and yukata styles can I choose from?
- Are hair styling and makeup included?
- Is outdoor photography included?
- Which languages are available at the shop?
- Can I return the kimono to another branch?
- What time do I need to return the kimono?
- Are children allowed to rent a kimono?
- What is the cancellation policy?
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At a glance
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8 / 8- More than 700 kimono and yukata sets: Choose among lace, traditional, vintage-inspired, modern, and seasonal styles, with no extra charge for choosing from the listed selection.
- Dressing is quick: The basic selection and dressing steps are listed as about 10 minutes each, though hair, makeup, busy periods, and photos add time.
- A handy Gion starting point: The shop is a one-minute walk from Yasaka Shrine and the Gion bus stop, and about six minutes from Kodai-ji Temple.
- Photography is an add-on: Photographer Kai has been praised for patient posing help and for finding scenic spots around the shrine.
- Return options can save a detour: Free returns are available at several MOCOMOCO branches, including Kiyomizu-dera, Arashiyama, Yasaka Shrine and Gion, and Fushimi Inari.
- The lowest advertised price is a starting point: Packages vary, and you may pay extra for photography, makeup, hair styling, or a more elaborate outfit.
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Choose a kimono, then make it your own
MOCOMOCO’s central appeal is choice. The shop lists more than 700 kimono and yukata sets, with options ranging from lace designs and modern patterns to traditional looks and summer garments. There are also packages for men, children, couples, and people seeking a more formal furisode or visiting dress.
That variety matters because the outfit is the heart of the day. You are not simply picking a color from a short rack and heading out. You can coordinate the kimono with an obi belt, bag, shoes, socks, and, depending on your package, hair accessories or a styled updo. Staff can offer suggestions if you want help matching colors, but you can also take your time choosing.
The listed packages include a women’s kimono option with an elegant hairstyle, men’s kimono, men’s samurai-style clothing, children’s outfits for heights from 75 to 145 centimeters, and couple packages. A premium furisode and visiting-dress option is also available. The labels can be a little confusing, so read the package details carefully: an elegant hairstyle is included with some options, while hair styling and accessories are not included in every basic package.
The shop also offers Japanese-style makeup as a separate option. Free cosmetics and small photo props are described as available in the shop, but that should not be mistaken for a full makeup service included in every rental. If hair or makeup is important to you, confirm it is part of your chosen package or add it separately.
You can also read our reviews of more shopping tours in Kyoto
Getting dressed without losing half the morning
The basic process is refreshingly simple. You arrive at the Yasaka Shrine and Gion branch, show your reservation, choose your outfit, and have a kimono stylist help you dress. The stated estimate is about 10 minutes to choose and about 10 minutes for dressing, though that is a short baseline rather than a promise for every visit.
A hairstyle, makeup, or extra time deciding between patterns will lengthen the visit. If you are booking a family or group, allow more breathing room than the bare estimate, especially if everyone wants a different look. You will be more comfortable taking your time than watching the clock while choosing an obi.
The shop advertises service in Chinese, Japanese, and English. That is useful when you are comparing styles, asking how an outfit sits, or explaining what you want for your hair. The dressing process is handled by a professional stylist, and you are given the kimono, obi, footwear, Japanese socks, and a Japanese-style bag as part of the package.
The published business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a latest return time of 5:30 p.m. Booking slots are offered throughout the day, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is a small timing wrinkle: one customer who booked an 8:30 slot found the shop opening at 9. Because the stated hours and that experience do not match, confirm the earliest appointment directly before planning an early start.
Yasaka Shrine, Gion, and the streets beyond
The address is 3-3 Tsukimicho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto. The shop is listed as a one-minute walk from the Gion bus stop, one minute from Yasaka Shrine, and six minutes from Kodai-ji Temple. That puts your first photo backdrop almost at the door and makes the rental practical if you want to spend the day on foot.
From there, you can set your own pace. Yasaka Shrine and Gion are close by, while Hanamikoji, Nishiki Market, Kiyomizu-dera, and the Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka lanes are among the nearby Kyoto sights named for the experience. The exact walking time to each place is not specified, so check a map and choose a route that suits your plans rather than assuming every stop is right around the corner.
The neighborhood is a strong reason to choose this branch over a rental shop elsewhere in Kyoto. You do not need to spend your first hour crossing town in a kimono. You can get dressed, step outside, and begin among the shrines and historic streets that make the outfit feel at home.
There is a trade-off: popular streets and shrine areas draw crowds, which can make photos harder and slow your stroll. An early appointment may help you get going before the day fills in, but the shop’s earliest opening time is worth verifying. If you prefer a quieter photo session, ask about timing when arranging the photographer.
What the photo session adds
Outdoor photography is an optional extra, not part of the basic rental. The package is described as an in-house professional photography service, and the shop can arrange a photographer to meet you after you finish getting dressed. Kai is named in several customer accounts, where he is described as patient, helpful with posing, and skilled at choosing spots around Yasaka Shrine and nearby gardens.
That guidance is especially useful if you are not used to being photographed. Instead of arriving at a scenic lane and wondering what to do with your hands, you can get clear pose suggestions and help finding a good angle. One couple described a one-hour session around the shrine, while other accounts mention photos in gardens and backstreets. Session length and exact route can vary, so confirm the details of the package you choose.
A practical point: communication with the photographer may take place through Instagram or WhatsApp. One customer used WhatsApp to receive a meeting pin and help the photographer identify the group. If you book the photo option, check how the photographer will contact you and have the agreed app ready.
You can also ask about adding photography after you arrive. It has been possible for some customers, but availability is not guaranteed. If the pictures are a priority, booking the option in advance is the safer plan. The photo package is best for couples, families, or anyone who wants more than quick phone snapshots to remember the day.
The price and what it buys
The advertised starting price is $17.39, which makes the experience look inexpensive at first glance. The actual value depends on the package: a basic kimono rental is different from a furisode, a couple’s outfit with hairstyling, makeup, or a professional photo session. Treat the starting figure as an entry price, not a complete estimate for every version of the experience.
The rental itself includes the kimono, obi, shoes, socks, and Japanese-style bag, plus professional dressing. Free luggage storage is included, and the return information also lists free kimono insurance. For an outfit you wear around town, the ability to store your bags is a welcome bit of practical help.
Free cross-store returns can add real value to a Kyoto itinerary. The listed branches include Kiyomizu-dera, a second Kiyomizu-dera location, Arashiyama, Yasaka Shrine and Gion, and Fushimi Inari. If your day ends in a different part of the city, returning to the original shop may not be necessary. Confirm which branch is available for your booking and the return time before setting off.
Hotel return and next-day return services are also listed as package options, but they are described separately from the kimono experience. Do not assume they are included in the rental price. If avoiding a trip back to a shop matters to your plans, check the add-on cost and instructions when booking.
For many people, the basic rental offers good value because it combines the outfit, dressing, and a prime location. The photo session can make sense if you want polished portraits and do not want to manage the camera yourself. By contrast, if you only want a quick costume change and a few casual pictures, you may prefer to keep the package simple.
You can also read our reviews of more photography tours in Kyoto
Who will enjoy this most
This is a good fit if you want to wear a kimono while exploring Kyoto’s historic east side, rather than treating the rental as a short indoor activity. Couples can coordinate outfits, families can choose children’s sizes, and solo visitors can add a photographer for portraits. The range of men’s and women’s styles also makes it easier for a group to dress together without everyone choosing the same look.
It is particularly practical for anyone who wants to photograph Yasaka Shrine, Gion, and nearby streets. The location reduces the amount of travel before you can start sightseeing, and the free returns at other branches can make a one-way route more convenient. If you are already planning to visit Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, or the Kiyomizu-dera area, check whether a different branch return suits your day.
It is less ideal if you are short on time and have a packed schedule. Even a quick dressing process takes time, and hair styling, makeup, photos, and a group’s outfit choices can stretch the visit. A kimono also asks for a slower pace than ordinary sightseeing clothes. Build in time to enjoy the experience rather than trying to squeeze it between two timed attractions.
Practical details before you book
The activity is available by reservation, with booking times from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Choose the time you intend to attend and bring the mobile voucher for confirmation. The voucher is valid only on the selected date, and the stated cancellation terms allow a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date. Changes are also generally allowed until 24 hours before, though some booking types have restrictions.
Plan to return the kimono by the stated deadline. The shop’s listed latest return time is 5:30 p.m., while the return-time options also include 5 p.m.; available choices can depend on your departure time and itinerary length. Check your specific booking rather than assuming you can return at any hour before closing.
There is no age limit listed for the activity. Children’s outfits are offered for heights from 75 to 145 centimeters. If you are booking for children, confirm the selected package and sizing details before the day.
Should you book MOCOMOCO Yasaka Shrine and Gion?
Book it if wearing a kimono is part of the Kyoto experience you want, and you plan to spend time around Yasaka Shrine, Gion, and the eastern sightseeing area. The range of clothing, multilingual help, quick dressing process, and several return locations make this a flexible choice. Add the photographer if you want posed portraits and practical direction, especially for a couple or family photo.
Skip the add-ons if the outfit itself is enough for you, and compare the exact package inclusions before paying. The starting price is appealing, but hair, makeup, and photography can change the total. Most of all, confirm your appointment time and return plan. With those details settled, MOCOMOCO gives you a straightforward way to turn a Kyoto walking day into something a little more memorable.
NEW OPEN Kyoto Yasaka Shrine & Gion | Popular Kimono Rental Experience | Kimono, Yukata, Furisode, Make-up, and Outdoor Photography Services | MOCOMOCO Kimono Yasaka Shrine & Gion Store
“excellent service, beautiful and nature make up and elegant hair style. Very friendly and thoughful staff. Highly recommend and will come back next…”
FAQ
Where is MOCOMOCO’s Yasaka Shrine and Gion shop?
It is at 3-3 Tsukimicho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto. The shop is listed as a one-minute walk from the Gion bus stop and Yasaka Shrine, and a six-minute walk from Kodai-ji Temple.
What is included in the kimono rental?
The package includes a kimono, obi belt, shoes, Japanese socks, and a Japanese-style bag. Professional kimono dressing, luggage storage, and free returns at listed branches are also included.
How many kimono and yukata styles can I choose from?
The shop advertises more than 700 kimono and yukata sets. The selection includes lace, traditional, modern, vintage-inspired, and summer styles.
Are hair styling and makeup included?
It depends on the package. Some options include an elegant hairstyle, while hair styling, accessories, and Japanese-style makeup are not included in every rental.
Is outdoor photography included?
No. Photo shoot packages are not included in the basic rental. You can choose a photography package as an add-on.
Which languages are available at the shop?
The shop lists staff service in Chinese, Japanese, and English.
Can I return the kimono to another branch?
Free returns are listed at several branches, including Kiyomizu-dera, Arashiyama, Yasaka Shrine and Gion, and Fushimi Inari. Confirm the available return branch and time for your booking.
What time do I need to return the kimono?
The stated latest return time is 5:30 p.m. A 5 p.m. return option is also listed, and available return times may depend on your chosen departure time and itinerary.
Are children allowed to rent a kimono?
Yes. There is no age limit listed, and children’s kimono packages are offered for heights from 75 to 145 centimeters.
What is the cancellation policy?
A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date. Changes are generally allowed until 24 hours before, but some booking types have restrictions.
