Kyoto Kimono Rental Wargo, operated by Compass Corp. (Head office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Fumito Sasaki), offers various services in the tourism and inbound domains to realize its mission and vision of "leading Japanese tourism and connecting culture to the next generation." Compass has registered its two large stores in Kyoto City with “HANDS FREE KYOTO,” a program promoted by the Kyoto City Tourism Association to address overtourism, on Monday, July 1st, 2024.
The Kyoto Station Kyoto Tower Sando store, located on the 2nd floor of the Kyoto Tower Building, will expand to the 3rd floor within the same facility, adding approximately 222 square meters of space. This store will become one of the largest stores in Kyoto City, following the Kyoto Gion store with over 231 square meters. With this expansion, the store will secure space to store customers' luggage in order to support hands-free sightseeing in Kyoto.
In Kyoto, many tourists from both Japan and abroad visit, and bring large luggage such as suitcases onto public transportation that causes congestion, often preventing passengers from boarding. The Kyoto City Tourism Association promotes "hands-free sightseeing" as a measure against such overtourism issues.
Kyoto Kimono Rental Wargo has been highly regarded for its free luggage storage service, which allows customers to enjoy sightseeing without carrying their belongings. By starting the luggage storage service with HANDS FREE KYOTO, the company aims to add to the overtourism countermeasures in Kyoto City. As part of this initiative, Kyoto Kimono Rental Wargo has registered its two large stores, the Kyoto Station Kyoto Tower Sando store and the Kyoto Gion store, with HANDS FREE KYOTO on Monday, July 1st, 2024.
HANDS FREE KYOTO is an official site operated by the Kyoto City Tourism Association, providing services such as transporting luggage from Kyoto Station to accommodation facilities within Kyoto City, introducing facilities and coin lockers that store luggage.
The site recommends the use of "hands-free sightseeing" to prevent issues caused by bringing large luggage onto buses and other public transportation, ensuring a comfortable experience for all users.
HANDS FREE KYOTO Website: https://hands-free.kyoto.travel/?lang=en
The Kyoto Station Kyoto Tower Sando store, located on the 2nd floor of the Kyoto Tower Building, will expand to the 3rd floor, adding approximately 222 square meters of space. This store, directly connected to Kyoto Station via an underground passage and situated in front of Kyoto Station where Shinkansen trains also stop, has always been popular for group use. However, the previous store size could only accommodate about 50 people per day, making it difficult to accept groups of more than 20 people.
With the expansion, the store will be able to accommodate more than 200 people per day, allowing for large groups of over 20 people, including school trips and tours, for events like the Gion Festival and fireworks displays, as well as strengthening partnerships with nearby hotels and tour companies.
Wargo’s two Kyoto City stores provide kimono rental and dressing services for groups such as students on school trips and cultural learning tours. On Wednesday, May 15th, 2024, the store began to also handle summer-only yukata, which can be used for events like summer parties and company or regional events.
Three Recommended Points for Group and Corporate Kimono Rentals:
1. 10% off for groups of 20 or more, starting at 2,970 yen (tax included) per person (some periods excluded).
2. A large inventory of 50,000 kimonos and yukatas for men, women, and children.
3. Professional dressing service by skilled dressers, allowing customers to comfortably experience traditional Japanese culture for a day.
Exclusion periods: Year-end and New Year holidays (12/31-1/4), fireworks display days, Golden Week, and Silver Week.
Kyoto Kimono Rental Wargo has seven stores in major tourist destinations across Japan, including Kyoto, Osaka, Kanazawa, Tokyo, and Kawagoe, all of which can accommodate groups and corporate customers.
Group and Corporate Page: https://kyotokimonorental.com/en/group
Any travel bag or trunk within a total of 160cm for height, width, and depth will be stored for 550 yen per item. (during busy seasons, Mar-May, Jul-Sep, and Nov: 1,100 yen per item)
One bag is free for kimono rental customers. (43cm x 37cm x 22cm)
Large bags, with whatever you are able to fit in them (40cm x 25cm x 47cm) will be stored for free.
Reservation: https://kyotokimonorental.com/en/shop/area/kyoto
Note:
・After the store closes at 17:30, an additional fee of 1,100 yen per day will be charged.
・If you fail to pick up your items after one week, we will dispose of them.
・Valuables will not be accepted.
Baggage storage service page: https://kyotokimonorental.com/blog/article/id/info-kyoto-teburakankou?hl=en
○ Address: Kyoto Tower Building 2nd and 3rd floors, 721-1 Higashishiokoji-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City
○ Hours: 10:00-17:30 (rental items must be returned by 17:30)
○ No regular holidays, open all year round
○ Area: Approximately 300 square meters (2nd floor: 80 square meters 3rd floor: 220 square meters)
○ Website:https://kyotokimonorental.com/en/shop/5
○ Address: Gion OKI Building 2nd floor, 216 Nakanomachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
○ Hours: 10:00-17:30 (rental items must be returned by 17:30)
○ No regular holidays, open all year round
○ Area: Approximately 238 square meters
○ Website:https://kyotokimonorental.com/en/shop/6
● Phone: 03-4582-4864
● Email: kyotokimonorental@compasscorp.jp
● Frequently Asked Questions: https://kyotokimonorental.com/en/faq
● Name: Kyoto City Tourism Association
● Representative: President Seiji Tanaka
● Location: 384 Ichino Funairicho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
● Activities: As DMO KYOTO, the Kyoto City Tourism Association plays a central role in promoting tourism policy projects, aiming to lead the world in tourism expertise.
● Website: https://www.kyokanko.or.jp/
Kyoto Kimono Rental Wargo offers a wide range of modern kimonos for men, women, and children. Customers can rent their favorite kimono starting from 3,300 yen, with all dressing and accessory fees included. Various accessories, such as bags and hairpins, can be freely selected to enjoy a total kimono coordination. Starting Wednesday, May 15th, 2024, summer-only yukatas will be available, perfect for summer dates, trips with friends, and events like fireworks displays and festivals.
Website: https://kyotokimonorental.com/
