Kimono time in Asakusa feels effortless. Makigawa puts you 1 minute from Asakusa Station and a short walk from Senso-ji, and the professional dressing service gets you into a comfortable fit fast. I also like the range of styles, from komon and furisode to lace kimono, plus kids 753 options. The main thing to plan around is weather, since the experience requires good conditions.
What makes it work well for real travel days is how guided it is. You check in on time, choose your outfit and accessories, get basic hairstyling (with upgrade options), and then you’re set up to explore the classic Asakusa sights with photo props. The team supports Japanese, Chinese, and English, and they keep it simple with luggage storage and a return at the end.
In This Review
- Key highlights at Makigawa Kimono Rental in Asakusa
- Entering Asakusa in a kimono: Location you’ll actually use
- What’s included in the kimono rental price (and why it adds up)
- Choosing your kimono: more than just one look
- The dressing and hair part: fast, comfortable, photo-ready
- Accessories, geta, and props: how you get better Asakusa photos
- Your time on foot: Senso-ji, Kaminari-mon, and Nakamise to Sumida Park
- Luggage storage and return: keep your day flexible
- Who should book this kimono rental (and who should consider alternatives)
- Price and logistics: the real cost question
- Quick decision: Should you book Makigawa Kimono Rental?
- FAQ
- Where is the meeting point for Asakusa Kimono Rental Makigawa?
- How long does the experience take?
- What is included in the $31.30 price?
- Are hairstyles included, and can I upgrade them?
- Can I choose my kimono style?
- Are there kimono options for children, including 753?
- Is there luggage storage?
- Do they support multiple languages?
- Is the rental near public transportation?
- What happens if weather is poor?
Key highlights at Makigawa Kimono Rental in Asakusa
- 1-minute proximity to Asakusa Station for an easy start, even if you’re juggling trains and plans
- Choice of kimono styles, including traditional options, furisode, hakama, lace looks, and kids Shichi-Go-San/753 styling
- Basic hairstyling included, with optional upgrades such as an elegant hairdo with cherry blossom accessories
- Photo-friendly extras like traditional props, plus accessories you can add to your look
- A prime walkable route toward Senso-ji, Kaminari-mon, and Nakamise
- Small group feel with a maximum of 20 travelers, plus multilingual support and mobile tickets
Entering Asakusa in a kimono: Location you’ll actually use
Makigawa Kimono Rental (Asakusa Kimono Rental Makigawa) is set up for convenience. The meeting point is in Taito City, Hanakawado, at Satellite Fujibiru (111-0033 Tokyo, Taito City, Hanakawado, 1-chōme 52 サテライトフジビル), and you’re close to the action before you even put on the kimono.
From here, it’s about a 3-minute walk to Senso-ji Temple and near the classic photo pinch points like Kaminari-mon and Nakamise. That matters because kimono days can turn into time-killers if your rental place is far from your sightseeing area. With this one, you lose less time to transit and start snapping photos sooner.
You’ll also get a simple, low-stress flow: arrive at your reserved time, check in, and then the staff helps you move from outfit selection to styling without you needing to figure out the complicated parts alone. The shop is set up for Japanese, Chinese, and English speakers, so language won’t be the bottleneck.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Tokyo.
What’s included in the kimono rental price (and why it adds up)
The price is $31.30 per person, and on average it gets booked about a month ahead. That tells me this is a popular “do it right” activity, not a last-minute gamble.
Here’s what you get for that cost:
- Kimono rental
- Professional kimono dressing service
- Basic Japanese hairstyling
- Japanese props for photos
Two big value wins jump out.
First, the dressing is handled for you. A kimono isn’t like grabbing a costume off a hook. The obi fit has to be right or you’ll spend your walk fussing with it. Having someone adjust it so it’s comfortable is the difference between a relaxing stroll and an annoying one.
Second, you’re not just renting fabric—you’re getting styling and photo support. Traditional props and the option to add accessories help your photos look intentional instead of like you put on clothing and wandered off.
What’s not included:
- Additional photography services
- Personal expenses
- Other unspecified costs
There is also a pro photography upgrade option, but since it’s not included, treat it as a choice rather than part of the base value.
Choosing your kimono: more than just one look
The whole experience starts with choice. You arrive, and then you select your kimono style and move into the fitting process.
Makigawa offers a diverse lineup:
- Traditional kimono options like komon
- Formal styles like furisode
- Hakama
- Trendy lace kimono that are very “social-friendly” for photos
- Kids options including Shichi-Go-San (753)
- Special styling like Geisha/Maiko makeup for the kids’ theme
For me, the key is that you’re not locked into only one traditional look. If you want a classic silhouette, you can go that route. If you want something with a softer, modern twist (like lace), you can steer your look that way. And if you’re traveling as a family, kids don’t get stuck with a single generic option.
You’ll also pick accessories. You can select traditional items such as handbags and wooden sandals (geta) to finish the look.
The dressing and hair part: fast, comfortable, photo-ready
The fitting is where Makigawa earns trust. The flow is designed to get you into the right shape quickly:
- You arrive on time for your reserved slot.
- You pick your kimono.
- A dresser helps you put it on and adjusts the obi belt so the fit is comfortable.
- You get basic hairstyle styling included.
- You finish with accessories and props.
- Then you head out for exploring and photos.
What I like about this approach is that it doesn’t pretend you can do this alone. A proper kimono fit is more about adjustment than talent. The staff does that work so you can spend the day looking around.
Hair is also handled with an eye toward how you’ll photograph in the outfit. Basic hairstyling is included. There are upgrade options too, including an elegant hairdo with cherry blossom accessories. And for kids doing 753, the styling can include special hairstyles and Geisha/Maiko makeup (depending on the look you choose).
One practical point: if you’re sensitive to heat, remember kimono fabric can feel warm. You’ll be comfortable if the obi and fit are done right, but it’s still a textile layer on a warm day. Plan around the weather as you would for any outdoor walking-heavy day.
Accessories, geta, and props: how you get better Asakusa photos
Once your kimono is on, Makigawa sets you up to look like you belong in old-town Tokyo.
You’ll select accessories, and you’ll have access to photo props. These props are included, and they help you make the shots feel connected to Asakusa’s atmosphere, not like a generic outfit change.
Here’s what you can expect to use as part of your look:
- Handbags
- Traditional sandals (geta)
- Free Japanese photo props
And this matters because your outfit is only half the photo. The other half is what you do with it—where you stand, how you frame your shots, and how well you match the environment.
With the rental starting near Senso-ji, you’re set up to photograph the temple approach and the surrounding streets without hauling extra gear or changing clothes again later.
Your time on foot: Senso-ji, Kaminari-mon, and Nakamise to Sumida Park
After dressing, the experience turns into your walk.
You’re encouraged to explore around:
- Senso-ji Temple
- Kaminari-mon
- Nakamise (the shopping street area)
- Sumida Park
Not every kimono rental is truly designed for sightseeing. This one is. Once you’re dressed, you can stroll around the old-world streets and take photos as you go.
A small tip from real-world pacing: start with the temple-area photos first, then drift toward the shopping street and keep your pace comfortable. If you’ve chosen geta, treat them like sandals with personality: go slowly on uneven surfaces.
Also, make time to pause. Kimono photos look best when you’re not constantly moving. Take a few minutes to stop near good backdrops, then keep walking.
Some people in family groups also mention having enough time in the afternoon to keep enjoying the kimono look before the day wraps up. Your exact timing depends on your slot, but the big idea is that Makigawa isn’t just a quick change-your-clothes-and-leave setup.
Luggage storage and return: keep your day flexible
A kimono day can get complicated if you arrive with a full bag. Makigawa keeps that part manageable.
You’ll have luggage storage, and the experience ends back at the meeting point. That structure helps you move around the Asakusa area without dragging everything with you.
This is also where small logistics matter. When you don’t have to carry your entire travel kit, you can spend more time enjoying the streets and less time wrestling with bags while adjusting your sleeves or obi.
Who should book this kimono rental (and who should consider alternatives)
This is a strong choice if you want:
- A guided, easy kimono day with professional dressing
- Multiple style options, including trendy lace kimono
- A place that handles kids well, including 753-style hair and makeup
- Multilingual support in Japanese, Chinese, and English
- A rental starting right where sightseeing happens
It’s especially good for families. One parent shared that the experience worked beautifully for a 12-year-old daughter, with staff letting them choose kimono, accessories, and hair style before going out together for a longer stroll.
It’s also a nice fit for couples and solo travelers who want photos that look integrated with the surroundings instead of staged somewhere random.
If you’re the kind of traveler who hates waiting around for any reason, you might find the dressing and styling time a little structured. But with the included fitting and hairstyling, the trade-off is you get a polished look without needing to learn the steps yourself.
Price and logistics: the real cost question
At $31.30 per person, the question isn’t just affordability. It’s what you’re buying with that price.
You’re paying for:
- Kimono rental
- Professional dressing and obi adjustment
- Basic hairstyling
- Included props
That combo is where the value lives. If you’ve ever tried to rent a kimono and figure out the dressing yourself (or pay extra for someone to do it), you’ll understand why the included service matters. Here, the setup is all packaged so you get a complete look.
Two costs to keep in mind:
- The pro photography upgrade is available, but not included
- Additional photography services and personal expenses aren’t included
Weather is also a factor. The experience requires good weather, and if it gets canceled because of poor conditions, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Quick decision: Should you book Makigawa Kimono Rental?
Book it if you want an easy kimono experience in Asakusa with professional dressing, a wide style selection (including lace and kids 753 options), and a starting location that puts you near Senso-ji, Kaminari-mon, and Nakamise almost immediately.
Skip or consider another option if:
- You’re traveling in a period where weather is unpredictable and you can’t flex your schedule
- You only want a quick photo with no interest in choosing a kimono, accessories, and hairstyle
- You’re expecting the experience to include paid add-ons like extra photography automatically
With a 5/5 rating and strong recommendation rate, plus a setup that focuses on comfort, styling, and location, this is the kind of activity that turns Asakusa into more than just sightseeing. It becomes part of the photos, part of the mood, and part of the memory.
FAQ
Where is the meeting point for Asakusa Kimono Rental Makigawa?
The meeting point is at Satellite Fujibiru, Hanakawado, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0033: 1-chōme52 サテライトフジビル.
How long does the experience take?
It’s listed as about 2 hours.
What is included in the $31.30 price?
Included are the kimono rental, professional kimono dressing service, basic hairstyling, and Japanese props.
Are hairstyles included, and can I upgrade them?
Basic Japanese hairstyling is included. Upgrades are available, including an elegant hairdo with cherry blossom accessories.
Can I choose my kimono style?
Yes. You choose your kimono from styles including komon, furisode, and lace kimono, and you can also select accessories.
Are there kimono options for children, including 753?
Yes. The shop offers special 753 kids’ hairstyles, and Geisha/Maiko makeup is available for that theme.
Is there luggage storage?
Yes, luggage storage is available.
Do they support multiple languages?
Yes. Support is available in Japanese, Chinese, and English.
Is the rental near public transportation?
Yes. It’s near public transportation, with Asakusa Station very close.
What happens if weather is poor?
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.























