Three people wear colorful Japanese traditional clothing, featuring kimonos with patterned obi belts. One holds a decorative mask, and another carries a folding fan. Only their torsos are visible.

Your Complete Guide to Traditional Japanese Clothing: Kimono, Yukata, Hakama and More 

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Japan is a country where tradition and modernity exist and excel simultaneously.

Although Japan is renowned for its big bustling cities, cutting edge technology and futuristic robotics, it still manages to hold on to its ancient heritage. 

This duality of tradition and novelty can be seen especially through the traditional clothing of Japan. If you were to visit Japan, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a kimono-adorned lady casually riding the train or grabbing a snack from a convenience store. 

Japan’s traditional identity remains so strong that even without too much knowledge about Japan or Japanese culture, most people outside of Japan have heard of a kimono. That is a real testament to the prevalence of traditional customs in Japan!

Japanese people are rightly proud of their traditional wear and are very welcoming of tourists who come to Japan and wish to try them on and step into Japan’s rich culture and history.

Keep reading to find out all about the most common traditional garments of Japan – you could even rent one out if you ever visit. 

Table Of Contents
  1. Kimono
  2. Furisode
  3. Hakama
  4. Yukata
  5. Happi
  6. Haori
  7. Hanten
  8. Kariginu
  9. Fundoshi
  10. Japanese traditional clothing: visual guide

Kimono

着物

A woman in a light coloured kimono, showing Japanese traditional clothing, stands gracefully in front of a glass entrance labeled "Fukuoka City Hall.
A traditional, formal kimono, such as might be worn to attend a wedding or other ceremony. Image source: Geraldshields11, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kimono (着物 / きもの) literally translates as ‘thing to wear’. Simply put, a kimono is an ankle length t-shaped robe, which is secured by a sash and characterized by its straight silhouette. Though, if only it were so simple…

In fact, putting on a kimono is almost like an art form. There are many layers and particular ways of folding and tying each layer, it mustn’t be too tight or too loose, the patterns and colours of a kimono must be correctly displayed, and so on.

Not only is the garment itself very elegant, but the thought and precision that goes into putting one on makes it all the more beautiful.

Elements of a kimono:

  • Obi (帯 / おび) – The obi is the belt-like sash which goes around the waist holding the kimono in place. 
  • Obijime (帯締 / めおびじめ) – An obijime is a thin decorative rope that is tied around the obi to secure it and add a decorative touch. 
  • Geta (下駄 / げた) – Geta is a type of wooden sandal often worn with a kimono. They are slightly raised by two wooden platform ‘teeth’ to ensure that the kimono does not drag along the ground and pick up dirt. 
  • Zori (草履 / ぞうり) – Zori is a more casual choice of footwear that one can pair with a kimono. They are more flat to the ground and usually made out of leather, rubber or more traditionally, straw.
  • Tabi (足袋 / たび) – Tabi are split-toe socks worn so that the geta or zori fit comfortably. 

Kimono can be worn by both men and women and for a multitude of different occasions such as tea ceremony, visiting a shrine or attending a traditional style wedding.

Download a FREE printable workbook to learn the Japanese scripts hiragana and katakana here.

Furisode

振袖

Three women wearing colorful japanese traditional clothing—furisode kimonos with floral patterns—stand on a sidewalk, viewed from behind, with a crowd and modern buildings in the background.
Young women wearing furisode on their coming of age day. Note the long sleeves.

Furisode (振袖 / ふりそで) is a formal kimono which is characterised by its distinct long sleeves, rich colours and intricate design details. Furisode literally translates to ‘swinging sleeves’. 

This is generally reserved for the more special celebrations in life, such as one’s coming of age ceremony, or seijin shiki in Japanese.

Seijin shiki takes place on seijin no hi, ‘coming of age day’ in Japan, a holiday which honors the young adults who have turned 20 that year and are about to embark on their journey to adulthood. In turn, the furisode has a real youthful feel to it!

Hakama

袴

Two Shinto priests in hakama, a type of japanese traditional clothing, rake gravel in a zen garden, carefully creating intricate patterns in the ground.
Shinto priests wearing hakama as they tend to a gravel garden at Kasuga-Taisha shrine in Nara.

Hakama (袴 / はかま) are a type of wide, loose, pleated pant worn over a type of short kimono called hakamashita (袴下 / はかました) which directly translates as ‘under hakama’. 

They are also a type of formal wear often worn for special ceremonies such as graduation or coming of age ceremony, or seijinshiki in Japanese. As opposed to a kimono, hakama tend to be more loose-fitting and therefore allow for more mobility.

Hakama are also often worn by Shinto priests and shrine attendants, and in martial arts such as kendo.

Yukata

浴衣

Two people wearing Japanese traditional clothing, yukata, sit together in front of a wooden wall, looking slightly to the side.
Yukata are popular outfits for attending summer festivals.

Yukata (浴衣 / ゆかた) is regarded as a casual kimono. It is an unlined, lighter robe that is commonly worn during summer events such as summer festivals or as loungewear at a hot spring. They are usually made of cotton for breathability. 

The colours and designs of the yukata tend to be more toned down, highlighting its laid-back vibe in comparison to the kimono.

Yukata are often provided in traditional Japanese inns, called ryokan. So, if you have the chance, definitely try it on during your stay!

Happi

法被

Two people in happi jackets - a type of japanese traditional clothing worn at festivals - perform a dance with hand fans outdoors, while a crowd watches in the background.
Dancers wearing happi to perform at an Awa Odori summer festival

Speaking of summer festivals, happi (法被 / はっぴ) are a staple of festival clothing in Japan! They are a sort of loose-fitting, light coat decorated with a symbol or kanji character on the back, usually depicting the name of the festival being celebrated.

Happi is the go-to uniform for groups performing traditional taiko drumming and soran bushi (traditional Japanese song and dance performance).

Haori

羽織

Two people wearing Japanese traditional clothing - yukata with haori jackets - sit side by side in a room with tatami flooring and shoji screens.
Haori jackets worn over light cotton yukata, such as you might find in your room at a traditional ryokan inn.

Haori (羽織 / はおり) is a short, light coat that can be worn over a kimono. It resembles the form of a kimono, but stops at about hip length. As it is worn open, it does not require the meticulous wrapping, folding and tying that a kimono does.

It was traditionally reserved for men, however these days there are no such strict rules. A haori is mostly worn for protection from the cold, but also serves as a fashion accessory.

Hanten

半纏

A red plaid quilted kimono-style jacket called hanten, a type of Japanese traditional clothing, with black trim is displayed on a hanger against a beige curtain background.
A padded hanten jacket, layered in winter over kimono or other clothes. Image source: Nesnad, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A hanten (半纏 / はんてん) is another type of traditional Japanese short coat, though it is more suitable for the winter months as they are made from thicker and warmer material. 

Although traditionally worn in accompaniment of a kimono, these days both haori and hanten are fashionable statement pieces themselves. They can be paired with modern casual clothing like jeans to add a traditional touch.

Kariginu

狩衣

A group of men in kariginu, the Japanese traditional clothing for Shinto priests, walk in a line during an outdoor procession, surrounded by onlookers and trees in the background.
Shinto priests wearing kariginu in a procession at the Jidai Matsuri. Image source: Corpse Reviver, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kariginu (狩衣 / かりぎぬ) is not a piece of clothing you would see as often on the streets on Japan as the previous items. It is worth a mention because it is one of the staples of traditional clothing in Japan. 

If you are a fan of historical Japanese dramas, or have come across woodblock art prints of ancient Japan, you are sure to recognise this garment. It is easily identifiable by its bulky fit, rectangular shoulders, wide long sleeves and long black hat, called eboshi.

The kariginu rose to popularity during the heian period (794 – 1185), being the clothing of choice for noblemen and Shinto or Buddhist priests.

In the modern era, Shinto priests still wear a version of kariginu for rituals and ceremonies.

Fundoshi

褌

A group of men wearing Japanese traditional clothing, including fundoshi loincloths and headbands, celebrate together at a festival, some with arms raised and others smiling or laughing.
Men wearing a form of fundoshi at the hadaka matsuri in Okayama. Image source: CES, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Fundoshi (褌 / ふんどし) is, or was, a type of traditional Japanese undergarment for both men and women. It resembles what we call a ‘loincloth’ in English. With the introduction of modern boxer briefs and panties after WW2, fundoshi quickly fell out of use. 

These days, they are mostly reserved for traditional events such as festivals or sumo wrestling practices.

There is even a Japanese festival which takes place around February called hadaka matsuri, meaning ‘naked festival’, the perfect occasion to adorn a fundoshi! 

Japanese traditional clothing: visual guide

Illustration of a woman in a pink kimono, with descriptive text explaining the kimono as Japan’s national dress and highlighting its significance in traditional Japanese clothing.
An illustrated young woman wears a red furisode kimono with floral patterns, representing traditional Japanese clothing for special occasions.
Illustration of a girl wearing a blue floral yukata, with informative text explaining its use as lightweight, informal traditional Japanese clothing commonly worn during summer in Japan.
Illustration of a girl wearing a blue happi jacket, a piece of traditional Japanese clothing, with text describing its cultural use at festivals and performances.
Illustration of a woman wearing a haori, a short, open-front coat over a kimono, with explanatory text about its role in traditional Japanese clothing.
Illustration of a girl wearing a green kimono and a yellow-brown hanten coat, with text explaining that a hanten is a short, padded Japanese winter coat.
Illustration of a person wearing a green kariginu robe and traditional headwear, with text describing it as historical Japanese clothing now used by Shinto priests for ceremonies.
Illustration of a man wearing a traditional Japanese fundoshi loincloth, with text explaining its use in festivals and sumo practice. Other men and a festival float are in the background.

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Collage showing people wearing traditional Japanese clothing such as kimono, hakama, and happi, with a text overlay highlighting the beauty of traditional Japanese clothing.
Illustration of six people in traditional Japanese clothing—yukata, kariginu, hakama, kimono, haori, and happi—each outfit clearly labeled with descriptions.

Hannah Stafford

Hannah is a half Irish/half Japanese girl living in Ireland. Her love for Japan and the Japanese language led her to studying languages and translation in university where she specialised in Japanese. She spent a year studying abroad at Rikkyo University in Tokyo. In her free time, Hannah enjoys using her sewing machine to upcycle clothes and create new pieces!

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