Yukata

In my previous post, I recommended you wear a yukata for firewokrk events.
So let me explain what Yukata is.

Yukata is a Japanese traditional cooling garment for summer.
Some of you may wonder the difference with Kimono, which is a formal, Japanese traditional clothing.

You can see the difference by taking a look at the photos:

These photos are Kimono


Photo CC-BY-NC-ND by Gullevek


Photo CC-By iMorpheus

These photos are Yukata


Photo CC-BY-NC-ND by Gellevek


Photo CC-BY Joi

Yukata actually means bathing cloths, which you wear after you take a hot bath and cool off- but it is not limited to wear only after taking a bath.

Yukata actually has 2 types- Yukata to wear and go out, a more casual Yukata to wear inside of hotels etc.

A big difference - I think- is the Obi, the strap that you put around your stomach to fix the yukata.

This how an Obi looks- but there are so many ways to tie the obi.

Obi of Yukata.


Photo CC-BY-NC-ND by Gullevek

The casual "bath" type yukata (for inside your house/hotel) usually does not have obi.

I found a small Japanese souvenir shop in Shibuya yesterday. They have kimono, yukata, and bathing type yukata, and other Japanese goodies.

Maruara-Watanabe is the name of the shop.
Address: 16-8 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku, TOKYO
Phone: 03-3461-0064
Open weekdays at 11:00-19:00, weekends and holidays at 13:00-19:00
Closed on Wednesdays.



If you go to a department store during summer, it would be easy for you to find a nice yukata. There are also online shops such as this one

If you don't have much time but want an inexpensive yukata to give it a try, you can go to one of the Uniqlo shops. Uniqlo is a chain, casual wear store with T-shirts etc but they have yukata during the summer.


Photo CC-BY-NC-SA by Fumi

If you don't want to buy a yukata but want to try it on- and also you want to try Japanese onsen (hot spring) but you don't have time, then you might want to try out Oedo Onsen Monogatari in Odaiba. It's a place in the Tokyo bay area. Admission 2,827 yen includes the hot spring, yukata rental, etc.

You get to select a yukata from 19 styles


CC-BY-NC-SA by Fumi

A very Japanese atmosphere from the old ages.

CC-BY-NC-SA by Fumi

They might teach you how to dance "Bon-odori" a Japanese dance.

CC-BY-NC-SA by Fumi

BTW, if you are buying a yukata, I highly recommend you get someone to teach you how to wear a yukata or get them do it for you, but for your reference this is a nice site that has animations on how to wear yukata, how to do the obi, etc. They also have a section for men's yukata.

OH I almost forgot to post this photo :P

Hello Kitty wearing Kimono!


Photo CC-BY-NC by micamica