Ad disclosure: This article contains ads (affiliate links). If you book through some of these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Want something a little different from the classic kimono look? Try Taisho Roman — the romantic, retro style named after Japan’s Taisho era (1912–1926), when Western and Japanese fashion mixed for the first time.
The signature look is a bold-patterned kimono with a hakama (a long pleated skirt), often with a big hair ribbon and boots or sandals. It’s the style you’ll see in many anime and period dramas — and it’s very photogenic.
🎀 Quick answer
- What it is: a retro kimono worn with a hakama (pleated skirt), inspired by 1910s–1920s fashion
- Price: wargo’s Taisho Roman plan from ¥5,500 online
- Included: hakama, kimono, obi, undergarments, sandals, bag, tabi and a hair ornament
- Where: wargo Kyoto Gion, Kyoto Station and Tokyo Azabu-Juban list the plan
Taisho Roman vs Standard Kimono
| Taisho Roman | Standard kimono | |
|---|---|---|
| Main feature | Kimono + hakama skirt | Kimono + obi belt |
| Look | Retro, playful, bold patterns | Classic and elegant |
| Walking | Easier — the hakama gives more room to move | Small steps |
| wargo online price | From ¥5,500 | From ¥3,300 |
A practical bonus: a hakama is easier to walk in than a standard kimono, which makes it great for hilly areas like Higashiyama in Kyoto.
wargo Taisho Roman Plan
- Price: from ¥5,500 online (higher in store); prices can rise on peak days
- Included: hakama, kimono, obi, undergarments, zori sandals, bag, tabi socks and a hair ornament
- Time: about 45–90 minutes to choose and get dressed
- Stores listing the plan: Kyoto Gion, Kyoto Station and Tokyo Azabu-Juban
Check the store page when booking — included items can differ slightly by location. For other plans and extra costs, see our wargo guide and kimono rental cost guide.
Book the Taisho Roman plan at wargo →
Best Places for Taisho Roman Photos
Kyoto
- Gion Shirakawa and Hanamikoji: traditional wooden facades suit the retro look.
- Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka: the hakama makes the slopes easier to walk.
- Retro cafés: Kyoto has many old-style coffee shops — perfect for a “Taisho era” photo.
More in our Kyoto kimono rental guide.
Tokyo
- Azabu-Juban and Zojoji Temple: close to the Azabu-Juban store, with Tokyo Tower in the background.
- Tokyo Station’s red-brick building: a classic early-20th-century backdrop.
Compare Tokyo stores in our Tokyo kimono rental guide.
Tips
- Add a hair ribbon: it completes the retro look — ask what’s available at the store.
- Choose a bold kimono pattern with a plain hakama for the classic contrast.
- Book early in March: hakama are traditionally worn at Japanese graduation ceremonies, so stock is busy around graduation season.
FAQ
Q. Can men wear a hakama?
A. Yes — hakama are traditional menswear too. Ask the store about men’s options.
Q. Is it okay for tourists to wear Taisho Roman style?
A. Absolutely. It’s a popular sightseeing style with Japanese visitors as well.
Q. Is a hakama hot in summer?
A. It adds a layer, so on very hot days a cotton yukata may be more comfortable.
Summary
- Taisho Roman = retro kimono + hakama, inspired by 1910s–1920s Japan
- wargo’s plan starts from ¥5,500 online, with the hakama included
- Available at Kyoto Gion, Kyoto Station and Tokyo Azabu-Juban
- Easier to walk in than a standard kimono — great for hilly Kyoto
Book the Taisho Roman plan at wargo →
More Japan Travel Guides: see all English articles →
日本語の記事はこちら：O-talk（日本語サイト）
*Information in this article is as of October 2026. Plans, prices and included items may change and vary by store. Please check the official website before booking. This article contains affiliate links.
