This summer, I was given the chance to participate in Edo Week at Ueno Park. I wore the yukata at the Tokyo Culture Centre (Tokyo Bunka Kaikan). Afterwards, on the stage, I introduced myself alongside fellow representatives from other Asian countries such as Hong Kong and Thailand. We also had fun trying out various food from the stalls nearby such as rice cracker art and shaved ice.
It’s a Japanese custom to dress up in yukata during the summer. Commonly mistaken as a kimono, a yukata is a casual wear which is often seen during summer festivals (夏祭り, natsu matsuri), and also firework events (花火大会 hanabi taikai). Unlike a kimono which is made from silk, yukata is usually made of cotton and you can simply wear it over your undergarments.
Yukata
This was the blue yukata with a traditional design I wore. The pattern was a simple white and blue stripe and lilies patterns are scattered across the fabric.
The way to wear the Yukata is simple, but when it comes to the obi which is tied at the waist, it gets a little complex. Unless if you bought a pre-made ribbon, the obi is like a necktie, except for the waist. I practiced a simple knot and tied it twice before I could get it right. There are tons of videos you can watch and learn from YouTube. I would recommend the chouchou-musubi (butterfly knot). You can probably buy the ribbon for the obi at Don Quijote in summer.
Japanese Edo-Style Hair
I also had the opportunity to have my hair put up in the old Edo style by a kamiyuishi, a traditional Japanese hair stylist. When asked if I wanted to keep the front bangs or sweep it to the back, I said no. They probably didn’t hear it and placed it up in a marumage-style, it was so weird, I laughed.
My hair was combed and pinned till it looked like I was a girl from the Edo period. A few Japanese hair pins called kanzashi were used to enhance the appearance. The blue cotton scrunchie is placed behind to keep the hair there. This hairstyle is actually rather cooling since all of your hair is pulled on top.
Overall, it was a fun experience to look like a local in Japan and tottering around in a yukata.
Don’t forget to grab a bite at the stalls!
Spot information
- Spot name: Tokyo Bunka Kaikan
- Street address: 5-45, Uenokoen, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-8716, Japan
- Access: Walk for 5 minutes from Ueno Station. Take the Park Exit which is the nearest to the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan.
Spot information
- Spot name: Ueno Park
- Street address: 5-20 Uenokoen, Taito 110-0007, Tokyo Prefecture
- Access: Walk for around 8 minutes from Ueno Station, Yamanote Line. Take the Park Exit.
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