Asakusa Kimono Rental 2026: Sakura Photo Studio Review

I was really keen to try on a kimono in Asakusa, Tokyo,

so I dove deep into reviews. But what I found was that most places,

if you wanted a truly beautiful kimono, it was an absolute bombshell of extra charges,

and you'd end up shelling out over ~$110 per person for it...

But after a lot of online digging, I stumbled upon a gem: no extra charges

and only around ~$59 per person – Sakura Photo Studio!

I personally paid for this experience and honestly, I couldn't have been happier!

Location

It's super conveniently located near Kaminarimon and the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center,

which means its location is absolutely perfect!

Just hop on the elevator and head up to the 2nd floor.

Kimono Selection

They boast an incredible selection with over 500 kimonos available,

ranging from delicate pastels to vibrant, striking colors – there's something for everyone!

And here's the absolute best part: no additional fees, no matter which one you pick!!

It was such a relief to choose freely without worrying about hidden costs.

You get a good 20 minutes to browse and try on kimonos at your leisure.

Plus, the owner is Korean, which made communication super easy,

so if you have a favorite color in mind or saw something you loved online,

the owner is happy to give recommendations.

Just a heads-up: they operate on a reservation system,

so advance booking is essential. Good news: you can even book for tomorrow!

We paid ~$65 per person,

but right now they're offering a 5% coupon, making it even more affordable!

>Book your kimono at Sakura Photo Studio here<

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Your essentials like your wallet, passport, and phone

can tuck neatly into the complimentary kimono bag they provide,

and they'll safely store the rest of your belongings for you.

After expertly dressing you in the kimono to make sure it drapes beautifully,

they'll also add all the gorgeous lace embellishments for you.

And of course, you get to pick the color of this lace,

and again, absolutely no extra charge!!

While your friend is getting ready, you can choose your hairstyle.

Since I have short hair, I could only go for an updo

(I was dreaming of a Pucca style, but alas ㅠㅠ)

For hair styling, make sure to add the 'Simple Hair Set' when you book

which is only ~$4.

If you're eyeing a style different from the samples provided here,

that will incur an extra charge of about ~$22,

and honestly, the simple hair styles in the samples are all so lovely, I highly recommend sticking to those!

With your updo complete and hairpins delicately placed,

this is the look! It's even more stunning from the side.

(While basic hairpins are free, we opted to pay 500엔

for a much more elaborate and beautiful one.)

The owner is super speedy, but also incredibly attentive and careful.

My hair was apparently too short, so they even kindly added a wig for me!

Now it's time to choose your kimono bag,

and there might be an extra charge here.

The fabric bag on the left is free,

while the bag on the right costs an additional 500 yen.

There was absolutely no pressure to choose, and in fact, they recommended

fabric bags that suited our kimonos, so we both went with those!

For shoes, you can wear your own or

opt for tabi socks that match your kimono.

Both the tabi socks and regular shoes are free, so it's a personal choice,

but since I planned to do a lot of walking,

I wore my sneakers to avoid sore feet.

The owner kept lamenting how much prettier it would have looked with the traditional footwear,

chuckles, saying it was a shame! 😂

While my sneakers did make the photos a bit less traditional,

I don't regret it at all – my feet would've been killing me otherwise!

Just a heads-up: when wearing a kimono, you can't eat strong-smelling foods like Monjayaki, Okonomiyaki,

or Gyukatsu.

I guess this is probably standard for all rental shops?

So, for lunch, we opted for ramen and dango instead.

Once you step outside, the owner will take one photo for you,

and after that, you're free to explore on your own.

Most people probably head straight to Sensoji Temple,

but there's a spot on the way where you can see the Skytree,

so it might be nice to snap a picture there.

Because near Sensoji, it's incredibly crowded (like, x100!),

so solo photos are pretty much a dream,

and it's hard to get good shots.

And honestly, I'm not exaggerating when I say

Western tourists asked us for photos like 10 times! 😂

After some small talk, most of them turned out to be American.

Still, in quieter spots near the shopping street,

it was fun to take photos.

We also explored the shopping street and enjoyed some delicious food!

Even with the sneakers being a slight 'flaw,' this was my favorite photo! ❤️

There's just something uniquely charming about Japanese vending machines...

If you're looking to try a kimono experience in Asakusa,

I highly recommend Sakura Photo Studio – no extra charges for the basics!!

>Book your kimono experience at Sakura Photo Studio here<

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