Enjoy Kimono Even in Winter: A Guide to Cold-Weather Accessories

If you want to enjoy wearing kimono even during the colder months, this feature is just for you. Here,we introduce essential cold-weather items that help you stay warm and comfortable in winter kimono style.
Keep the elegant look of kimono intact while staying cozy—and enjoy winter-exclusive kimono coordination with the right cold-weather protection.

Going out in a kimono is beautiful, but during the colder seasons, the neck and shoulder area can easily feel chilly, which can be a concern. That’s why we recommend elegant items that not only look refined but also provide effective warmth around the neck and shoulders. These accessories help you stay cozy while preserving the graceful appearance of your kimono style.

Simply draping one softly over your shoulders adds elegance to your look while keeping your neck warm.
For formal occasions, silk or faux fur works beautifully, while wool or stole-style fabrics are ideal for casual walks around town. Choosing the material to suit the occasion is key.
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A classic cold-weather item—wool and cashmere are especially popular for their warmth.
At Rental Kimono Okamoto, we recommend casually layering a large stole over your shoulders for both warmth and style ✨

As winter winds begin to feel chilly, staying warm while maintaining elegance becomes essential when going out in kimono.
At such times, kimono-specific capes and coats are a reliable choice.
Unlike Western outerwear, these items are designed to preserve the kimono’s silhouette while allowing ease of movement and gently wrapping the body in warmth.
You may often hear the term haori, but it was originally intended not for warmth, but as a protective layer to keep dust off the kimono. In recent years, however, it has increasingly been worn as a cold-weather garment.
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Traditional Japanese outer coats such as Michiyuki and Dōchūgi are considered classic and formal choices. Today, modern designs made from wool or cashmere are also available, offering excellent warmth as they cover the body from shoulders to hips.

When wearing kimono in winter, it’s often your hands and feet that feel the cold first as they are exposed to chilly winds The key is to incorporate warming items that protect you from the cold without disrupting the elegance of your outfit.

For your hands, arm warmers or gloves are highly recommended.
Choosing wool or cashmere materials will keep you warmly insulated while also blocking cold air from entering through the sleeves.
If you’d like to add a touch of elegance, fur-trimmed hand warmers are also a great option.
Their soft texture brings a seasonal feel and beautifully enhances your kimono look with a refined charm.
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Lace styles that cover the fingertips or leather gloves are especially popular ✨
Neutral colors such as black, gray, and beige are easy to coordinate with any kimono.

During seasons with large temperature differences between indoors and outdoors, layering with tabi inner socks or double-layer tabi is very effective.
To block the cold rising from the ground, pairing them with tabi covers or boot-style tabi when going out is a reassuring choice ◎
They keep your look neat while balancing warmth and style perfectly.
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Fleece-lined or heat-retaining tabi inner socks help keep your toes warm.
On rainy or snowy days, water-repellent tabi covers or winter tabi with kohaze fasteners are also recommended.

To protect your zori sandals from rain or snow, simply attach a clear vinyl cover.
Some types come with non-slip soles, making them especially convenient for winter outings.

Long hours outdoors can really make the cold feel harsh.
That’s when thermal innerwear designed for kimono becomes especially helpful, keeping you warm without disrupting the elegant kimono silhouette.

Innerwear designed for kimono is different from regular Western clothing, featuring wider necklines and sleeve openings.
This prevents it from showing at the collar or cuffs, and even when layered, it keeps the silhouette neat and elegant.
Recently, innerwear made with heat-retaining or moisture-activated warming fabrics has become available. These thin yet warm materials make it much more comfortable to enjoy wearing kimono even in the colder seasons.
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Nowadays, it’s common to use Western-style heat-retaining innerwear (such as “Heattech”) as kimono innerwear. Choosing styles with a wide neckline and shorter sleeves helps keep them hidden under the kimono and is highly recommended.

Steteco may be more commonly associated with men, but they are actually a lightweight and comfortable cold-weather item.
Designed not to interfere with movement or disrupt the clean lines of a kimono, they offer excellent ease of movement and comfort.
Leggings-style innerwear wraps warmly all the way down to the ankles, keeping your feet nice and cozy.
They are especially recommended for those who are sensitive to the cold, and when combined with double tabi or tabi inner socks, they make winter outings much more comfortable.
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If you choose to wear tights, it can be difficult to put on tabi. In that case, we recommend skipping tabi and pairing them with boots or footwear that does not have a separated toe.

Adhesive heat packs gently warm the body when placed directly on areas that tend to get cold, such as the back, lower back, or around the shoulder blades.
Thin types do not disrupt the silhouette of the kimono and allow for easy movement.
They are especially reassuring on days when you plan to be out for a long time or when the wind feels particularly cold, providing warmth from the inside out.
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Placing them on the lower back, shoulders, or between the shoulder blades works efficiently when combined with layered kimono clothing to retain heat.
Recently, kimono-specific heat packs designed with optimized shapes and placement have also become available, making winter kimono outings even more comfortable.
One important caution: if applied to areas that cannot be easily removed, there is a risk of low-temperature burns, so please use them with care.

Kimono worn against the crisp winter air create a truly beautiful scene and look stunning in photos.
At Rental Kimono Okamoto, we offer styling suggestions that take the cold into account, as well as rental items designed to keep you warm—so you can enjoy your winter kimono stroll with peace of mind ✨
All of our staff look forward to welcoming you!
From retro styles to classic, timeless designs, Rental Kimono Okamoto offers a wide variety of kimono to choose from.
They are sure to make your Kyoto sightseeing experience even more memorable ✨