Visited: March 1, 2026 (Sun)
Before heading to Ginkaku-ji, I stopped by a small vintage kimono shop in Higashiyama, Kyoto.
It was the same shop where I had once bought a hanhaba obi.
The entrance was so quiet and understated that I first wondered if it was even open.
The weather was sunny but chilly.
At Higashiyama Station, my winter clothes felt just right.
But once I started walking, it became warm.
Many people tied their coats around their waists.
Some even wore coats while carrying parasols.
Kyoto’s changing seasons make clothing choices difficult, even for Japanese people.
Inside the shop, I bought an obijime for 800 yen.
The owner explained that credit card payments cost 10% extra.
She also told me:
- The shop opens from noon to 5 p.m.
- There are no fixed holidays, but rainy or snowy days are often closed
- Wet umbrellas can damage silk items
“Pure silk loses value if it gets wet,” she said.
That made me realize something.
Perhaps Japanese people dislike getting caught in the rain not only because of colds, but also because traditional clothing has long needed protection from weather and moisture.
The owner also said the shop stays open during New Year holidays while cleaning.
It felt like a very Kyoto way of running a business — quiet, practical, and continuous.
After leaving the shop, I walked along the Philosopher’s Path toward Ginkaku-ji.
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Later, I showed the obijime to my kimono teacher.
She smiled and said:
“That color is for younger women.”
For a moment, I wondered if I should not wear it myself.
But she laughed and added:
“Only people who really know kimono rules care about that. You should wear what you like.”
The color may have been a little young for me.
Still, it somehow felt right.