M Kimono Rental – Ferry to Miyajima in Kimono

M Kimono Rental offers a kimono day trip rental package that includes round-trip ferry service to Miyajima.

Explore Hiroshima City and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Miyajima Island in full kimono without worrying about transportation. M Kimono Rental, a kimono rental shop since 1959, offers a wide selection of kimono for women and men, adults and children, individuals and groups, as well as those with Western body sizes. Guests can stay and explore the city or add a round-trip ferry pass to Miyajima to their trip.

Get Dressed to Impress a Samurai

Convenience For Travelers

Kimono Rental is located a seven to ten minute walk from Hiroshima Station on the sixth floor of the Beauty Salon W building in Matobacho. There is an elevator for easy access, and visitors can store luggage there until they return their kimonos.

Getting Dressed in Kimono – an Experience in Itself

The full experience includes traditional Japanese undergarments called juban; the kimono; an obi, a traditional sash providing corset-like structure; and hair styling with all necessary accessories. 

Getting dressed in a kimono is not easy. It is an elaborate style of dress similar in complexity to 18th-century Western ballroom gowns. While the details differ, both require specialized knowledge and assistance to wear properly.After guests choose a kimono, it takes about 30 minutes to put it on correctly with the help of the staff. 

Get Styled & Ready to Go

They can also style hair and decorate it with traditional kanzashi, typically floral hair ornaments.

Matching traditional Japanese bags are also available to carry items such as phones, wallets, and makeup. 

If there are questions, the staff are on hand to answer, help with photos, and provide advice.

Before stepping out, guests receive a round-trip ticket to Miyajima via Aqua Net Hiroshima, located in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

“It took two people to help us get dressed. We didn’t do anything to get dressed.” – Mika Edwards, a teacher at Hiroshima International School, who enjoyed the experience with her friend Netanya Fink.

Mika Edwards and Netanya Fink, teachers at Hiroshima International School, pose for a photo in Miyajima wearing kimono from M Kimono Rental. (Joy Photo / Michael Farrell)

The Six-Hour Day-Trip Schedule

For the six-hour rental, the ideal schedule starts at 9:30 a.m. to choose a kimono and get dressed.

• 10:00 leave for Peace Park.
• 10:30 explore Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
• 11:30 leave Aqua Net Hiroshima’s wharf bound for Miyajima
• 12:15 p.m. explore Miyajima
• 14:00 leave Miyajima for Hiroshima
• 15:00 return your kimono.
• 15:30 return to a normal clothes life

Please note, ferry times can change dramatically because of the tides. Consult with M. Kimono Rental for up-to-date ferry times and rental scheduling.

“I felt lovely. I felt very lady-like. I felt like I was in the culture.” – Mika Edwards

Customize Your Rental Package

Almost every aspect of the rental plan can be customized. M. Kimono Rental offers options based on formality, group size, and rental duration.

The standard rental includes yukata, a lighter kimono commonly worn at summer festivals—the least formal option. The middle tier features kimono, heavier and more elaborate. The high-grade plan includes hakama, traditional pants historically worn by samurai, and furisode, a formal kimono with long, hanging sleeves traditionally worn by girls and single women.

Rental packages accommodate individuals, couples, and groups of three or more, with rental periods of four, six, or 24 hours.

Optional add-ons include hair styling, Japanese undergarments, and round-trip ferry transportation to Miyajima.

“My favorite part was when a little old lady came up to us and thanked us for wearing the kimonos because we were representing Japanese culture and enjoying Japanese culture.” – Netanya Fink

Common Questions

How do I use the bathroom in a kimono?

Lift the ends of the kimono and juban and roll or tuck the excess fabric into your obi. Make sure it is evenly lifted all around your waist. After using the bathroom, carefully untuck the fabric, taking care not to crush the obi or turn up the hem.

Can I wear my own shoes?

Yes. M. Kimono recommends bringing your own shoes if you plan to walk far. The provided zōri are delicate and can break under strain.

What happens if I get a stain on the kimono?

Even rain can leave permanent water marks or distort dyes. M. Kimono will advise guests if rain is expected, but visitors must bring their own protection. Stains from rain, food, mud, makeup, or other sources incur a charge of ¥5,000 per spot, plus tax. Lost or damaged items are charged at the actual replacement cost.

Can they store my luggage?

Yes. Luggage and bags can be stored for free, though valuables remain the guest’s responsibility. Matching bags are available for carrying items such as wallets and phones.

Is there a late fee?

Yes. Late returns incur ¥1,100 per hour, starting after a 10-minute grace period.

What if the ferry is late, a ticket is lost or I miss it?

Ferry tickets are tied to scheduled times, which vary with the tide. Guests should monitor the schedule closely. If a ferry is missed, it may be possible to board a later one if seats are available. However, during peak season (Spring and Fall), empty seats are rare. If you lose your ticket, you can still board if you have a receipt. In extreme cases they may need to talk to staff and review camera footage.  M Kimono Rental does not charge for lost time if the ferry is late.

How to Get There

The Aqua Net Hiroshima ferry only runs between Hiroshima and Miyajima. It does not stop at other places. (Joy Photo / Michael Farrell)

Kimono has two locations. The Matobacho location, currently offering the ferry package, is a seven to ten-minute walk from Hiroshima Station. The second location inside Hiroshima no Yado Aioi Ryokan sits next to Peace Park with views of the A-Bomb Dome.

From Matobacho to Aqua Net Hiroshima: exit M. Kimono and turn right. Walk about four minutes to a large intersection. On the far side is Hiroden Inarimachi Station. Take Hiroden tram No. 2 or 6 for seven stops (approx. 13 minutes) to Genbaku Dome-mae Station. Cross the street into Peace Memorial Park, pass the A-Bomb Dome along the river, and continue about five minutes to Motoyasu Bridge and Café Ponte. Aqua Net Hiroshima is across the river from the café.

More Ways to Explore Miyajima in Style

Limited time on the island makes exploring distant sites shuffling along in zōri challenging. Consider a rickshaw from Ebisuya Miyajima, offering tours in multiple languages to reach locations like Daisho-in Temple and Momiji-dani Park.

For a historical twist, Miyajima Momiji-no-Ga rents out Heian Period costumes (8th to 13th century) for select locations of the island. However, guests must arrange their own transportation.

Netanya Fink and Mika Edwards pose in rental kimono for a photo outside Omotesando shopping street on Miyajima Island in Hiroshima, Japan. (Joy Photo / Michael Farrell)