What a hoot.  When you go to Japan and Korea, you can expect to see lots of people in their native costumes.  In Japan, that’s a kimono and Korea a hanbok. 

I loved it.  Having a degree in Clothing and Textiles and a history in the fashion industry I’m always interested in what people wear.  

BUT SURPRISE….SURPRISE!   Often the folks I saw in native dress were not locals, but tourists  like me. 

Yep, in both these countries a whole new business is flourishing where tourists rent traditional garb to wear while sight seeing……..of course…..and while taking lots of photos to post on Social Media.  

Our first encounter was with these two lovely ladies.  They were taking photos of each other so my husband, Jack, offered to take a photo of the two of them on one of their cameras.  The beauty on the left happily handed  over her phone and while he was snapping that photo I took one with my camera.

 Imagine our surprise, when he handed back the phone, the “Thank you” had a definite American accent.  We inquired and learned that these beautiful gals were from California.  We laughed and chatted a bit, while they explained abut renting the kimonos and how much fun they were having.  They recommended we try.  

We learned that it is  both a cultural experience and an Instagramable moment.  

In both countries, wearing the traditional garb has faded while people have adopted Western style dress.  These rental businesses are a revival of sorts.  

And sometimes wearing a costume allowed one to enter the venue for free as was the case in the big palace in Seoul. 

I loved seeing the beautiful kimonos and actually bought a used one on this trip.  They go back to the Heian period of Japan.  Now they are reserved for special occasions.  

The Korean hanbok is also traditional, with its beautiful colors, volume and curved lines, very different from the Japanese Kimono.  One writer who said that a hanbok points to the Korean’s desire “to be close to nature and to keep life in balance. “  I’m not sure how you get that out of a dress, but it sounds good. 

Hanboks date back to the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) and is distinctly Korean.  I got a kick out of the hanboks worn with modern shoes.  

What I like is that the costumes are reasonably authentic and worn with respect.  In Japan they are particularly evident in Kyoto, an ancient city with more than 2,000 temples and shrines.  No shortage  of Instagram opportunities. 

There’s even an app titled “Kyoto Kimono Passport” to help tourists to find stores with discounts for renting Kimonos.  There’s also a list of places if you need help  with your kimono, traditionally a difficult garment to wear. 

To see on line search #Hanbokstagram, #HanbokDate, #WearingHanbok, #wearingkimono, or #kimonorental 

We traveled to Japan with TinyWorldTours. http://www.tinyworldtours.com  

I hope you enjoy images of tourists in traditional attire.  I had a bunch of fun taking pictures of people enjoying their cultural moments.  

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