WASABI Kimono Rental in Harajuku, Tokyo

Honestly one of the best things I did in Tokyo!! I was traveling solo and wandered into WASABI on my way to Takeshita Street — best spontaneous decision ever. The kimono selection is INSANE in the best way. I picked a deep indigo with a floral obi and felt like I stepped straight out of a Studio Ghibli film. The dressing was so fast I couldn't believe it — I was out the door and exploring in no time. Got so many compliments around Harajuku and Meiji Shrine. 100% would do this again.

We did this for our anniversary and it was absolutely magical. The staff matched us in complementary colors without us even asking — my husband in a grey-green kimono and me in soft pink. The dressing was far quicker than we expected, which gave us plenty of time to stroll through Omotesando and down to Togo Shrine at a leisurely pace. The photos we took together are already framed on our wall. Genuinely one of the most special afternoons we've ever had traveling.

This was the highlight of our entire Japan trip — and we were in Japan for three weeks, so that's saying something. Both kids got to pick their own kimonos; our daughter went full traditional with pink florals and our son surprised us all by choosing a bold navy hakama style. The staff were brilliant with the children and the dressing was surprisingly quick even for fidgety kids. We walked to Meiji Shrine and got beautiful family photos. Cannot recommend highly enough for families.

My husband and I are in our sixties and were a little apprehensive — we worried kimono might be complicated or uncomfortable for walking. We needn't have worried at all. The staff were patient and thoughtful, and we appreciated their suggestion to wear our own comfortable shoes rather than wooden geta, which made the walk to Meiji Shrine far more enjoyable. The selection had beautiful, elegant options — not just young or trendy styles. A genuinely lovely, dignified experience.

I was skeptical about doing this kind of tourist activity, but a friend convinced me and I'm very glad she did. The whole process is efficient and unfussy — you choose your kimono, they dress you quickly, and you're out the door with time to actually explore. I went with a simple charcoal and dark grey combination which suited me well. Walked the Meiji Shrine grounds for a couple of hours. Wearing kimono there felt like a completely different experience from being a regular tourist. Good value.

Four of us came here on a girls' trip and it was EVERYTHING. Picking out kimonos together was so much fun — we all went in completely different directions with our styles and it made for the most incredible group photos. The staff dressed all four of us in what felt like no time at all. We spent the afternoon on Takeshita Street and the reactions from other tourists were honestly hilarious — everyone wanted photos with us. Such a joyful, affordable way to make Tokyo memories.

We did the photographer course for our anniversary trip and WOW. The photographer was absolutely wonderful — he knew all the best spots around Harajuku, had us laughing and relaxed immediately, and the shots he captured are genuinely stunning. We started with an outdoor photo session and then had the remaining time to just wander freely in our kimonos. My favorite photos from our entire Japan trip came from this one afternoon. If you're considering the photography add-on, just book it.

My daughter surprised me with this for my birthday and it was the most thoughtful gift imaginable. I have always dreamed of wearing a real kimono in Japan. The selection was breathtaking — the fabrics, the colors, the variety. The staff made us both feel so elegant and the dressing was beautifully handled. We walked through Omotesando and spent time in the Togo Shrine gardens. There is something quietly magical about being in a place like that in traditional dress. A memory I will treasure forever.

This was the first thing I booked for my Japan trip and it set the tone for everything that followed. As someone from a family with a long history in textile craftsmanship, I was genuinely impressed by the quality and variety of the kimonos — the obi selection alone was overwhelming in the best possible way. The dressing was fast and comfortable. I visited Meiji Shrine afterwards and felt a profound sense of connection. The photos I took there are some of my all-time favorites from any trip.

We brought our 5-year-old daughter and were a little nervous it might be too overwhelming for a small child, but the staff handled her perfectly — she was absolutely delighted to choose her own tiny kimono (the brightest red one they had, obviously). The process was quick, which is truly key with young children. We kept to Harajuku and Takeshita Street so she didn't tire out. Lovely afternoon together. We happened to go on a drizzly day, but the in-store photos were still wonderful.

Coming from Brazil, we knew almost nothing about kimono culture and the staff were so welcoming and patient in explaining everything. Lucas was shy about the idea at first, but by the time he was dressed he was completely converted. We walked to Meiji Shrine and it was a genuinely moving experience to be there in traditional dress. Other visitors — Japanese and international alike — were so warm and curious. We ended up having wonderful spontaneous conversations we never would have had as regular tourists. Truly unforgettable.

I'm 68 and was traveling Japan solo — a dream I'd held since retirement. WASABI was an absolute highlight. I half-expected to feel out of place as an older solo woman but the staff were so genuinely warm that any self-consciousness dissolved immediately. They helped me choose a deep moss-green kimono with a golden obi and I felt, I must say, rather magnificent. I walked gently around Togo Shrine and sat quietly in the garden for a while. Peaceful, beautiful, and wonderfully different from anything I've done before.

We were four college friends on a three-week Japan trip and this was the moment the trip peaked — and I say that having been to Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Nara. We spent a happy age picking our kimonos (there really are so many options) and then headed out to Harajuku looking absolutely iconic. We wandered into shops on Takeshita Street and the shopkeepers were SO sweet about our outfits. We laughed the entire afternoon. Already telling literally everyone we know to do this.

We did this on our honeymoon and it could not have been more perfect. The staff seemed genuinely happy for us and took time choosing colors that would look beautiful together — the attention to that detail was touching. We walked through Meiji Shrine and spent a long, unhurried hour in the grounds. There was something deeply romantic about it that I can't quite put into words. A stranger offered to take photos of us and they came out so well we're having one printed for our home. Such an irreplaceable memory.

My daughter is completely devoted to Japanese culture and had been planning this moment for months. She arrived knowing exactly what she wanted and was absolutely delighted with the result — a detailed white and red kimono that she had researched in advance. I went for something simpler and practical to walk in, and the staff helped me find something that still looked good in photos. We had a wonderful afternoon together in Harajuku. The staff communicated clearly and patiently in English. A great father-daughter experience.

Traveling solo through Japan and decided to try this on a complete whim. I was the only solo male customer that afternoon but didn't feel remotely out of place — the staff were professional and easy to communicate with. I chose a dark teal kimono (they have solid options for men who want something understated) and walked through the Meiji Shrine grounds for a couple of hours. Being there in kimono rather than tourist clothing felt like a genuinely different way of experiencing the place. Good value. Would recommend to any solo traveler.

Three friends in our thirties treating ourselves to a proper Tokyo adventure — and this was the best decision we made all trip. The kimono selection is genuinely incredible and the staff gave excellent suggestions when we asked. We all wore our own sneakers as recommended and it made such a difference for the hours of walking that followed. Omotesando in kimono is a completely different experience — people notice you, smile, want to take photos. We took approximately 500 pictures. No exaggeration. No regrets whatsoever.

Getting five people — two adults and three children — into kimonos simultaneously was cheerful, loving chaos, and the staff handled it with brilliant good humor. Our teenager was initially 'too cool' for the whole thing but by the time she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror she was completely sold. We spent the afternoon in Harajuku and Takeshita Street, which was perfect for the younger ones. The family photos are extraordinary. This is the kind of travel memory that defines a trip for children for years.

We're in our fifties and had a genuinely wonderful time. We particularly appreciated the practical suggestion to wear our own comfortable shoes rather than traditional sandals — exactly the right call for a long afternoon of walking. The kimono selection included beautifully understated options which suited us perfectly; not everything skews young. We walked to Meiji Shrine and took our time in the grounds. A dignified, genuinely cultural experience that felt meaningful rather than just touristy. Happily recommend.

I visit Tokyo several times a year from Seoul and finally decided to try WASABI after seeing it on social media. I booked the photography course and it was worth every yen. The photographer clearly knows Harajuku intimately and took us to corners I had never found in all my previous visits. The kimono I chose — a sage green with a rust-colored obi — was perfect, and the photos look like they belong in a travel magazine. I've already recommended WASABI to every Tokyo-visiting friend I have. If you're considering the photography option, book it.