"ZEN: A Unique Kyoto Rental Service Offering Beautiful Color Uchikake and White Wedding Kimonos at Affordable Prices for Brides from All Over Japan"

2022.01.17 published

A Traditional Kimono Shop in Kyoto＊

Let me introduce you to a wonderful kimono rental shop I discovered in Kyoto!♡

It is called 【ZEN Kyoto】, located between Shijo and Gojo, near the intersection where Matsubara Street and Karasuma Street cross.

The shop has a beautifully renovated traditional machiya-style appearance, very characteristic of Kyoto.

I was really curious, so I decided to drop by!

Upon entering, the place is filled with national treasure-level outfits.

The spacious, two-story interior feels like a home, with kimonos displayed like art in a gallery, creating an atmosphere that evokes a sense of Japanese tradition.

It feels like you’re visiting an art museum, allowing you to enjoy the ambiance of Kyoto tourism.

The manager, Mr. Inoue, and the coordinator, Ms. Takami, kindly guided me through the shop!♡

Discussion Highlights♡

ZEN opened in Kyoto five years ago and is relatively new in the costume exhibition field.

While Kyoto is often associated with traditional clothing, kimono rental shops are quite rare in the city, it seems.

Moreover, ZEN specializes in unique and precious items that you won't typically find in regular costume shops or salons.

✅ A bridal kimono supervised by the Living National Treasure, "Hōshō Kō"

✅ "Ryūmura Bijutsu Orimon," favored by the imperial family

✅ A bridal kimono made from "Tomioka Silk Mill silk," which has even been presented to Izumo Taisha Shrine.

✅ Works by Yuzen artist, Mr. Akiyama Akira,

and many other exquisite and valuable items are lined up.

(All these names sound like something you'd learn in a history textbook....!)

I was shown antique one-of-a-kind kimonos that have been preserved from the Edo period, which were worn by princesses.♡

(Here is a bridal kimono featuring the unique "Rakuchu Rakugai-zu" folding screen art!)

The accessories were fashionable as well.♡

The surprising affordability of the costumes!

The bridal kimonos and shiro-muku categorized as high-end wedding attire at ZEN can be rented for more than 100,000 yen less than the average market price... this is an excellent piece of information I want to share with everyone.

Particularly, the Yuzen kimonos, which can cost around 1 million yen at other salons, can be rented at ZEN for several tens of thousands yen less.

Therefore, although the shop is located in Kyoto, many brides visiting are actually from outside Kyoto, attracted by the reputation from all over the country.

I was amazed to hear that even after paying for the round-trip Shinkansen fare of 35,000 yen from Tokyo, customers can still feel like they have saved money with their pricing!

The incredible selection of national treasure-level kimonos that can only be rented at ZEN, alongside their pricing structure and the beautiful atmosphere of the shop.

They also offer photo plans!♩

Be sure to take a close look at this unique traditional wedding attire shop in Kyoto, where you can select rare and distinctive kimonos♡

Highlights from their lovely Instagram posts♩

Here are some beautiful posts from the official ZEN Instagram account that you don’t want to miss♩

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Store Information＊＊＊

ZEN Kyoto（ゼンきょうと）

〒600-8427

301 Tamatsushima-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

➡️ Click here for Google Maps＊＊＊＊

About a 5-minute walk from Gojo Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway (Exit 2)

Phone Number: 075-354-0003

Business Hours

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Regular Holidays

Every Tuesday and the second and fourth Wednesday of each month