Is Renting a Kimono on a Rainy Day a Waste? How to Enjoy the Rain
Rain forecast for the kimono day you had been looking forward to. Before you feel let down, take a look at photos of Asakusa in the rain. Lantern light reflected in wet stone paving is not something you can shoot on a clear day.
Wagasa umbrellas are free to borrow
HANAYAKA lends out photogenic wagasa (traditional Japanese umbrellas) free of charge (excluding the basic plan). A red wagasa with a kimono is a standard shot that actually works better in the rain.
The practical side
Staff adjust for the weather: footwear you do not mind getting wet, whether zori or geta, and the hem dressed a little shorter. If you are on a photo plan, ask about moving to the indoor studio. In a season when the weather is hard to read, it is sensible to pick a shop that will discuss changes even the day before. To talk it through, call the number on our access page.
Adjusting the outfit for rain: what we actually do
We dress you slightly differently in the rain. The hem a little shorter, geta or zori you do not mind getting wet. We protect the shoulders with a haori (short kimono jacket) or a stole, and sometimes hand you a spare pair of tabi socks. You barely have to think about any of it. Adjusting is our job.
Three spots that photograph well in the rain in Asakusa
1. The covered arcade at Nakamise: you can walk without getting wet, and the wet stone reflects the lanterns. 2. Under the eaves on Denboin-dori: Showa-era streetscape plus the texture of rain looks like a scene from a film. 3. The corridor of the Sensoji main hall: the best seat in the house for shooting the five-storey pagoda in the misting rain while you shelter.
The moment you open a red wagasa (free to borrow, excluding the basic plan), rain turns from a handicap into a prop.
Cancellations and changes in practice
In severe weather at the level of a typhoon or heavy rain warning, we are flexible about changing your date. Call us first. Light rain, on the other hand, is a good bet: it is quieter and the photos are lovely. If you are on a photo plan you can switch to the indoor studio, so a rainy forecast does not have to wreck your plans.
Frequently asked questions
- Q. Can I cancel in severe weather such as a typhoon?
- Call us and we will talk it through. We are flexible, including changing the date.
- Q. If the kimono gets wet, do I have to pay for it?
- We do not ask for compensation for ordinary rain. No cleaning needed, just bring it back as it is.
- Q. Is there a discount on rainy days?
- We do not discount for weather, but we lend wagasa free and adjust the dressing for rain.
- Q. I am worried about my feet getting wet.
- We give you footwear you do not mind getting wet, and we have spare tabi socks. You can also bring your own boots.
- Q. What happens in a thunderstorm?
- Safety first: we will have you wait inside the shop or switch to a studio shoot. You can also ask to change the date.
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