The yukata (浴衣) is a casual version of the kimono. It is a robe usually made of cotton or synthetic fabric, wrapped around the body and fastened with a sash (obi). Yukata literally means "bathing cloth", and it was originally intended to be just that. Traditionally, the garment is worn after bathing in a communal bath, functioning as a quick way to cover the body and to absorb remaining moisture.
Fittingly, the yukata is often worn in onsen towns. In particular, the garment is the typical dress code for guests at ryokan. Visiting an onsen town can provides the enjoyable experience of strolling the streets in yukata and geta (wooden clogs), producing scenes reminiscent of past centuries.
Recently, the yukata has also become a way of dressing for summer festivals. Increasingly fashionable designs have surfaced to a degree that it is sometimes difficult for the untrained eye to discern between a yukata and a kimono. Yukata for men generally have darker or more subdued colors, while that for young women are usually bright and colorful, often with floral designs. Yukata for matured women tend to be less flashy.
Wearing Yukata
Staying at a ryokan, especially one in an onsen town, is a recommended way of getting the yukata experience. Most ryokan provide yukata to their guests to be worn during their stay inside the ryokan and for walks out on the streets. Note that some Western style hotels also provide yukata on their rooms; however, the yukata at hotels are usually only intended as room wear and should not be worn outside the hotel room.
In some tourist destinations, yukata are available for rent at kimono rental shops. Such shops are most numerous in Kyoto, where you can explore the city dressed in yukata for an authentic Japanese experience.
You can also purchase yukata at the above-mentioned shops or at department stores. Some tourist locations have cheap versions of yukata for sale, making them candidates for the stereotypical Japanese souvenir. The price of a yukata ranges from a thousand yen to a couple of ten thousand yen.
See also our page on how to wear a yukata.
