Kimono & Portrait Experience

Nagaoka Tenmangu Shrine, in Nagaokakyo west of Kyoto City, is dedicated to the deity of learning. A salon and photography studio specializing in kimono dressing stands within its grounds. For years, its professionals have provided services ranging from dressing to hair and makeup, preserving precious moments through photography. Kimono come in many styles, and the appropriate patterns, accessories, obi knots, hair, and makeup vary with the occasion and season. Dressing in kimono, particularly for formal events, demands extensive knowledge and technical skill. This experience offers the opportunity to wear ceremonial kimono under the guidance of seasoned professionals and appreciate the cultural richness of traditional Japanese attire. Once dressed, participants have a professional photo session amid the beautiful surroundings of Nagaoka Tenmangu Shrine.

Although Western clothing is now common in Japan, the custom of wearing kimono for major life events, including weddings and graduation ceremonies, remains strong. Traditional Japanese weddings call for formal attire: men wear montsuki hakama bearing a family crest, while women wear either a pure white shiromuku or a colorful iro-uchikake. In this Japanese wedding-dress experience, participants may wear montsuki hakama or iro-uchikake according to their preference. Many people in Japan still choose the elegance of kimono for their wedding ceremonies. Japan also observes Shichi-Go-San, a ceremony celebrating children at the ages of three, five, and seven. Children wear kimono and visit a shrine to pray for their continued growth and well-being. Kimono remain deeply cherished for life's significant moments, and the skilled professionals who support this custom play an essential role in preserving it.