historic samurai street
Kakunodate is often called “the Little Kyoto of Michinoku (North of Japan).”
It is a town where streets from the samurai era are still beautifully preserved.
Walking through the historic samurai district feels even more special in a kimono.
This time, we visited “Kimono Tabi Shanari,” where you can rent a kimono and have it professionally dressed 😊
The shop is located about a 10-minute walk from Kakunodate Station.
Choosing the kimono
First comes the fun part — choosing the kimono and obi (belt).
They have beautiful kimono for each seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
High-quality kimono and obi in many colors were lined up, and every piece was lovely.
After selecting the kimono, we had our hair styled and added hair accessories.
The tatami room also had a very traditional and relaxing atmosphere ✨
Dressing time
The kimono was dressed by a teacher with 50 years of experience.
Her work was quick, smooth, and incredibly beautiful.
We learned many wonderful things about kimono —
how the same kimono can look completely different just by changing the obi,
and how color combinations can change the whole impression.
As she spoke, we could really feel her deep love for kimono.
Colors that shine in kimono
Some colors feel too bold for everyday clothes,
but in a kimono, they surpriseingly feel just right.
The obi she recommended this time was a deep, vivid red called “shinku.” Shinku means true red.
At first, I almost chose a soft, familiar color.
But when she said,
“This isn’t everyday clothing. This is a color you wear only on special days,” I decided to try it.
It turned out to be the perfect choice. Looking in the mirror, I felt I had discovered a new side of myselves😻
Wearing a new color can change how you feel inside, too.
It was an experience made possible by her excellent sense and confidence.
Final touches
To finish, we chose a haori jacket and bag while looking at the overall balance.
When we asked, “Which bag do you think is the best?” she answered without hesitation, “Either this one or this one.”
The moment we put items she chose, everything suddenly felt complete.
That’s the power of a professional eye.
so cute😻
Seeing Kakunodate in kimono
Even streets we walk every day felt fresh and new in a kimono.
People smiled at us, spoke to us, and the town felt closer somehow.
Haori jacket is also cute
We both found a kimono we truly loved, and the match with the obi was perfect 😊
After the experience
After enjoying our walk, we returned the kimono and finished the experience.
Honestly, we didn’t want to take it off.
The teacher told us a story about a child from overseas
who loved her kimono so much that she cried when it was time to return it.
The teacher also taught me where to place my hands.
That story made us realize how powerful kimono can be —when you choose it yourself and are dressed with care, it captures the hearts of both adults and children.
Next time, we’ll introduce a recommended walking route in Kakunodate while wearing kimono. 👘✨
