The Kimono, Japan's Pride of Traditional Culture, Refined over a Long History

The name "Kimono," also known as "Japanese clothes," originally came from the word "kiru mono," meaning something to be worn, or clothing.

To distinguish it from Western-style clothing from other countries, it came to be called "Kimono," which means "Japanese" clothing.

Today, when Western-style clothing has become the clothing of the general Japanese, the perception of kimono has changed to Kimono = Japanese clothes.

Nowadays, kimonos are generally considered to be "formal wear" worn on ceremonial occasions such as weddings and funerals.

In addition, the custom of wearing a kimono for traditional Japanese events such as "coming-of-age ceremonies" and "Shichi-Go-San" ( Seven-five-three : festival to celebrate the growth of children, for boys aged three and five, and girls aged three and seven ) still exists.

In Europe, the word "Kimono" was already used to refer to Japanese clothing around the 16th century.

Today, kimonos are commonly used abroad as Japanese garments under the proper noun "Kimono".

The kimono is a condensed version of the unique Japanese culture that follows the four seasons and adopts a lifestyle according to the seasons.

The kimono is a traditional culture that has been refined over a long history and is the pride of Japan.

In today's global society, why don't you try wearing a Japanese kimono?

"Itohiko", now in its third generation as a kimono wholesaler in Kyoto, the home of kimonos, knows the culture of both Kamakura and Kyoto, both historic capitals of Japan

"Itohiko" is now in its third generation as a kimono wholesaler in Kyoto, the home of kimono.

Yoshie Ito, the proprietress of the Kamakura store, was born and raised in Kyoto, but now she is in charge of the Kamakura store, which is her main base of operations, traveling back and forth between Kamakura and Kyoto.

She says, "When I go back and forth between the four seasons in Kamakura and the four seasons in Kyoto, I can truly see the four seasons of Japan."

" The happiness of being wrapped in a kimono is exceptional. An encounter with a kimono is also an encounter with a new you."

" With the theme of "more accessible and more fun," our goal is to encourage as many people as possible to wear the kimono, which is the heart and soul of the Japanese people."

Ms. Ito shares her passion for the culture of both Kamakura and Kyoto, as well as her love for the kimono.

Learn about the charm of "real" kimonos and the interesting story of kimono, while actually viewing "real" kimonos in front of your eyes

A traditional Japanese culture that has been refined over a long history and is the pride of Japan

You can learn about the charm of "real" kimonos and interesting stories of kimonos, a traditional culture that Japan is proud of and that has been refined over a long history, by viewing them in front of your eyes, with the sense of style of "Itohiko" .

"Itohiko" has a long history and experience as a kimono wholesaler in Kyoto, the home of kimonos, and also knows the cultures of both historic capitals of Kamakura and Kyoto.

The glossy kimonos, which are instantly recognizable as high quality, are moist and breathtakingly beautiful in your hands, and all are masterpieces of craftsmanship.

You can also have a rare opportunity to select a "real" kimono from a quality assortment with a professional selection at a genuine kimono wholesaler

If you wish, you can choose a "real" kimono from a high-quality assortment that only a kimono wholesaler with a long history can offer, with a professional selection at a genuine kimono wholesaler.

Selecting a kimono at a kimono wholesalers is a very rare opportunity even for Japanese people today.

This is a rare opportunity to select your favorite kimono from a professional's selection, based on your taste and appearance, with a sense of authenticity and quality that comes from knowing the culture of the historic capitals of both Kamakura and Kyoto.

Please enjoy this rare opportunity to view "real" kimonos in front of your eyes, learn about their charms in depth, and then select a "real" kimono from a professional's selection at a genuine kimono wholesaler.

Experience "dressing" in a "real" kimono with full knowledge of its charms

A rare opportunity to be photographed by a professional photographer in "Kimono Wedding Attire", which is the formal attire for weddings

You can have a rare experience of "dressing" in a Kimono just right after you have learned about the charm of the "real" kimono and the interesting story of the kimono, a traditional Japanese culture that has been refined over a long history and is the pride of Japan.

The Kimono dressing experience also provides a rare and precious opportunity to have a professional photographer take photos of you in a "Kimono Wedding Attire", the formal attire worn during a wedding ceremony.

The opportunity to wear Japanese "Kimono Wedding Attire" is now a very rare opportunity even for Japanese people.

Why not take advantage of this opportunity to have a rare experience?

Learn more widely and deeply about the charm of kimono

Experience a rickshaw ride in a kimono around the ancient capital of Kamakura, or an authentic tea ceremony in a kimono

We offer additional optional experiences that allow you to experience the breadth of the kimono's appeal.

You can choose to experience a rickshaw ride in a kimono around the ancient capital of Kamakura, or an authentic tea ceremony experience wearing a kimono, allowing you to experience the charm of the kimono to the fullest extent possible.

The sightseeing tour of Kamakura on a rickshaw is a special one-hour private experience.

Enjoy quality time with the refined and professional skills of the rickshaw drivers, who are meticulous and attentive.

The bustling Komachi Street and the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.

The quiet and elegant temples and shrines where you can almost hear the breath of the warriors.

The contrast between "bustle" and "quietness" is one of the charms of Kamakura.

If you tour around Kamakura wearing a kimono and listening to the sound of the wheels of a rickshaw, you will feel a different flavor to the scenery of the historic capital of Kamakura.

Another experience that will allow you to experience the wide range of charms of the kimono is a real tea ceremony experience wearing a kimono.

This is not an experience for usual tourists, but an authentic tea ceremony experience packed with time condensed into a real tea ceremony, and you cannot truly experience the charm of the tea ceremony unless you experience it wearing a kimono.

The tea master who will guide you through the profound world of tea ceremony is a "Urasenke" Tea Master, who has been involved in international projects for over 35 years with the motto "to be a bridge between Japan and the rest of the world," and speaks English like a native, and is a "Kamakura Local", who has settled in Kamakura because of his love for Japanese culture.

In a tea room full of Japanese flair, built in the architectural style of the traditional Japanese tea room, you will follow the flow of a real tea ceremony and taste both thick and thin tea, along with delicious traditional Japanese sweets, both soft sweets and dry sweets.

Not only that, but you will be fully supported in English for the entire experience, including how to receive the tea and how to make tea in a simulated experience of a tea master.

The meaning behind each procedure, the history of the tea ceremony, its relationship with Zen, the tea ceremony as a social activity of the Samurai, and other interesting stories of the tea ceremony are also explained to you in English in detail without language stress.

Please spend a rich time in a beautiful kimono, a traditional culture that Japan is proud of, refined by its long history, touring around the historic capital of Kamakura on a rickshaw, or experiencing authentic tea ceremony at a traditional tea ceremony room.

A delightful limited offer. An exclusive souvenir for the Waka An Plan

All available experiences include an exclusive souvenir of the Waka An Plan.

A beautiful "Tenugui", which is a traditional Japanese Hand Towel.

And a beautiful "Furoshiki" , which is a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth, for the "Kimono Wedding Attire" Dressing Experience.

After you return home, it should be a pleasure to use these beautiful traditional "Tenugui" hand towels or "Furoshiki" wrapping cloth, calling back your memories of this precious experience in which you learned the full charm of the traditional Japanese kimono.

Enjoy the whole experience in stress-free English

Limited to the Waka An plan, all experiences, including the explanation of the charm of the "real" kimono and the interesting story of the kimono, and everything else, will be fully supported in English by a " Kamakura Local ", with native-like English ability, and is a lover of Japanese culture,

and has been involved in international business for over 35 years with the motto "to be a bridge between Japan and overseas".

Of course, you will also receive support for all the interpretation throughout the entire experience,

 allowing you to fully enjoy the experience without language barriers.

Enjoy the stress-free experience without the language barrier, that only Waka An can offer.

・The types of bowls, utensils, and Japanese sweets will change depending on the season and other factors. The pictures shown is only a sample.