Okinawa: Kimono & Ryuso Rental Walk with Hair Set on Kokusai St

Summary

Choose your favorite kimono and walk Okinawa’s lively streets

You’ll choose your favorite kimono or Ryuso in Okinawa, get dressed by friendly locals with hair set and lipstick included, then wander Kokusai Street or Shuri Castle for photos and real moments with people passing by. It’s easy to join—even if you come empty-handed—and you might find yourself feeling unexpectedly at home in all that color.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the soft rustle of fabric as we shuffled around racks of kimonos—over 500, they said, but honestly it felt like more. Hana-san, who runs the place with her mom, kept pulling out colors I’d never even seen before. I hesitated between a deep blue yukata and this wild Ryuso pattern that looked almost too bold for me. “This one suits you,” she said, patting my shoulder. I just went with it. The air smelled faintly of hair spray and something sweet—maybe the lipstick they dabbed on after pinning up my hair (which took longer than I expected, but somehow made me feel lighter).

There was a moment when I caught my reflection in the studio mirror—layers wrapped tight, hair full of little flowers—and almost didn’t recognize myself. My friend Li tried to say “arigatou” to the staff and got a laugh from everyone; apparently her accent is worse than mine. We took some photos inside first (they have these tiny props—umbrellas, fans), then stepped out onto Kokusai Street. The city felt different from inside all that silk: people smiled at us, a few tourists asked for pictures (awkward but kind of fun). The sun was bright but not too hot; there was this salty breeze coming off the sea if you paid attention.

I thought three hours would be too long for a day trip in Okinawa just wearing a kimono around town, but time slipped by while we wandered past shops and old houses near Shuri Castle. A little girl waved at us from a bakery window—her mom gave us this knowing nod like she’d done this before herself. By the end my feet were tired in those wooden sandals (I’m not used to them), but honestly? I still think about how calm I felt walking slow through all that color. We handed everything back at the shop and changed into our regular clothes again—it felt strange to leave it behind so quickly.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Kimono rental and city walk

• Visit the kimono rental store
• Choose a kimono from 500 pieces
• Hair set for women with accessories
• Apply lipstick for women
• Dress in chosen kimono
• Take commemorative photo with staff support
• Walk around Naha city in kimono
• Return kimono and change clothes
• Make payment and end tour

Top questions

Can I choose any kimono or yukata style?

Yes, you can pick from over 500 kimonos, yukatas, and Ryuso styles available at the shop.

Is hair styling included in the rental?

Yes, women’s plans include hair set and accessories along with dressing.

How long can I wear the kimono during the day trip?

You can walk around town for up to 3 hours; next-day return is possible for an extra fee.

Are children allowed to participate?

Yes, infants and small children are welcome; prams or strollers are allowed.

Where can I take photos while wearing the kimono?

You can take photos inside the studio and outside at places like Kokusai Street or Shuri Castle.

Do I need to bring anything with me?

No need to bring anything; all clothing layers and accessories are provided.

What’s included

Your experience includes choosing from hundreds of traditional Okinawan costumes—kimono, yukata, or Ryuso—with full dressing service by experienced staff. Women get a complete hair set with accessories and lipstick application. You’ll also receive footwear and a rental bag so you can walk comfortably through town before returning everything at the shop when finished.