Hokuriku's first! Ayano Fukushima navigates the high-end kimono subscription service of "Kanazawa RakuRaku".

[What is a luxury kimono subscription?]

"I often hear about kimono rental services, but this is the first time I've heard of 'kimono subscription,'" says Fukushima. First, we asked about the details of the service at "Kanazawa Kirara" Kanazawa Ekimae store on the B1 floor of the Live One Building, a 5-minute walk from the east exit of Kanazawa Station.

The rental kimono service allows you to borrow everything you need to put on and have them put it on for you. You will need to bring your own undergarments, collars, tabi, and other items. It is recommended for those who enjoy tea and flowers, and those who want to use different kimonos depending on the season and location, such as those who work in the hospitality industry such as restaurants and shops.

[Two sheets per month can be borrowed for 12 months]

Choose a course on the official website. A trial course is available as a trial, and you can borrow a total of three times. In addition, there are 3 courses, casual, formal, and premium, with different contents depending on the kimono class, and the contract period is 12 times in total. You can choose 2 of your favorites every month on the web or in stores. Of course, you can also choose while consulting at the store. You can choose two new cards for the next month, but you can also keep the one you like and change the other one.

[The class of kimono that can be selected in the course changes]

The kimono you can borrow varies depending on the course. For the 22,000 yen monthly casual course, you can choose komon, for the 33,000 yen monthly formal course, you can choose komon and Houmongi, and for the 55,000 yen monthly premium course, you can choose anything from about 50 items, including luxury kimonos such as long-sleeved kimono. The type of kimono changes.

[You can also choose Kaga Yuzen or Furisode]

When there is a special event such as Shichi-go-san or attending a wedding ceremony, even if you usually use the casual plan, you can change the plan only for that month. By the way, this Kaga Yuzen is one of the premium courses for 55,000 yen per month. There are high-class kimonos such as black kimono and colored kimono, so even if you don't have many opportunities to wear them, you can feel that it is a great deal.

[Returning kimono is easy with a special bag]

All you have to do to return the kimono you are interested in is to put it in the special bag at the time of delivery and return it with the included reply slip. Since the cleaning fee is included, you can rest assured that there is no additional cost for normal stains (foundation, rain, mud splashes, light food spills, etc.). “It doesn’t require cleaning or other care, and it’s very helpful to be able to return it as is after using it.”

[The 13th time, the one you like is yours]

In addition, after the contract period of 12 times is over, you can make your favorite kimono set your own by paying the course fee for +1 time. For the 30,000 yen monthly formal course, you can receive a set of Homongi, Obi, Obijime, and Obiage. “All of the kimonos, such as Kaga-Yuzen and Oboro-zome Houmongi, are of high quality. I am happy that I can actually try on various kimonos for 12 months and buy the one that suits me best.”

Kimono is more expensive than clothes, and the cleaning fee is also expensive, but with this subscription service, you can rest assured that it will be a fixed monthly fee. What's more, in the end, the one you like will be yours, so it's a perfect service for those who want to live a more fulfilling kimono life.

■ Kanazawa Araku Raku Kanazawa Ekimae Store

Address: 3-2 Konohanamachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture

Phone: 076-275-1165

Business hours: 9:00-18:00

Closed: Wednesdays, New Year holidays

Parking: None

Menu: Trial course 11,000 yen/month (3 times in total) *Komon/casual course 22,000 yen/month (12 times in total) *Komon/formal course 33,000 yen/month (12 times in total) *Komon, Homongi/Premium course 55,000 yen/month (12 classes in total) *Komon, Homongi, Yuzen, Irotome, Kurotome, Furisode

*Ownership of casual, formal, and premium courses will be transferred for +1 time after the end of the subscription contract period. The kimono set will be yours.

■ Ms. Ayano Fukushima, a hands-on model

Official site