Experience Tokyo Old and New: 3 Spots to Visit While Wearing a Yukata!

Hello! I am Elisa, a second year university student from Tokyo. 

When thinking of Tokyo, you might think that there is a stark contrast between the old and new. However, I believe these elements coexist harmoniously, enhancing the city’s unique character. 

In this article I will talk about where to go to experience this contrast of the city and how to better experience it. 

Explore Tokyo by foot

Shibuya Crossing. | ©Pixabay

One of the best ways to experience Tokyo is on foot. While Tokyo is famous for its ease of connectivity by public transportation like trains, subways, and buses, the city’s unique balance between tradition and modernity can be best enjoyed with a stroll. 

What can truly elevate this experience to another level is by walking around the city wearing a kimono/yukata. There’s no better way to experience Tokyo than wearing traditional attire and feeling the history while looking at the amazing innovated city. 

Difference between yukata and kimono

Kimono (left) is considered formal while yukata (right) is considered for daily use. |  ©Pakutaso / ©Pixabay

The distinction between a kimono (着物) and a yukata (浴衣) goes beyond their appearance, it also involves the timing and occasion for wearing them. 

Generally, a kimono is worn all year around and is often chosen for formal events. However, not many people wear it in the summer as the fabric is thick. Or if worn, it is a thinner-fabric kimono. Its intricate layers and designs make it a symbol of Japanese elegance and tradition. 

On the other hand a yukata is worn only in the summer, it is a lighter and more casual garment. What people wear to a traditional Japanese festival or “omatsuri” (お祭り) is a yukata. So if you are coming to visit Japan in the summer, I recommend renting a yukata, as the weather is hot and a kimono will overheat you. 

Let’s take a stroll in a yukata!

All dressed up in yukata! | ©Elisa

Tokyo is full of places where the old and new coexist in harmony, making it the ideal city to explore while dressed in traditional attire. Here are some spots that I highly recommend: Nihonbashi, once the heart of Edo; Omotesando, where there are cafes aplenty; and Asakusa, where a traditional atmosphere still remains. 

Nihonbashi: The centre of Tokyo

Walking in Nihonbashi. | ©Elisa

Nihonbashi (日本橋) is a business district, where you can see towering skyscrapers and buildings along the streets. Yet, amidst the modern cityscape, there are still old architectures to discover. 

For example, the Nihonbashi Bridge has been standing for over 100 years and is still in use. The original bridge made out of wood was built in 1603. It was then rebuilt in stone in 1911 to the current bridge that we see today, making it a testament to the area’s old and new architecture coexisting. 

In the shopping mall COREDO (コレド), there is a charming lantern-lit street where you can feel like you are transported back to Edo. 

Nihonbashi Bridge (日本橋)
Address: 1-8, Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Access: 3-minute walk from Nihonbashi Station (日本橋駅)

Omotesando: Harajuku’s stylish neighbour 

Omotesando from an overhead bridge. | ©Pixabay

Next, I would recommend going to Omotesando (表参道) to go to cafes that serve “wagashi” (和菓子) traditional Japanese sweets with a touch of modernity. Omotesando is considered a trendy yet sophisticated neighbourhood at the same time. 

To experience eating wagashi in a kimono/yukata is an elevated experience. The first shop I would recommend is Sahsya Kanetanaka (茶洒 金田中). There is a small Japanese-style garden in this cafe where you can look out while eating. They also serve Japanese-style set lunches. 

The next cafe I recommend is Funabashiya (船橋屋).They serve “kuzumochi” (葛餅), a traditional Japanese sweet. Enjoying these delicacies while dressed in a yukata or kimono adds an extra layer of cultural richness to your experience.

Sashya Kanetanaka (茶洒 金田中)
Address: 2F Oak Omotesando, 3-6-1, Kitaaoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0061
Access: 1-minute walk from Omotesando Station (表参道駅)

Funabashiya (船橋屋)
Address: 3-14-6, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001
Access: 7-minute walk from Omotesando Station (表参道駅)

Asakusa: Where you can experience history

Senso-ji. | ©Elisa

Finally, Asakusa (浅草) is a neighbourhood where you can fully immerse yourself in Japan’s traditional culture. The area is home to Senso-ji (浅草寺), Tokyo’s oldest temple, and walking through the temple grounds in a yukata or kimono is a truly unique Japanese experience. With several kimono and yukata rental shops located around Asakusa, this will be the most common place where you will see other people, both Japanese and international tourists, wearing kimonos or yukatas. 

Senso-ji (浅草寺)
Address: 2-3-1, Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0032
Access: 5-minute walk from Asakusa Station (浅草駅)

Walking through the streets of Asakusa. | ©Elisa

The streets surrounding the temple are filled with shops selling traditional crafts, snacks, and souvenirs. Here, you can experience the essence of Tokyo’s past while being surrounded by the vibrant energy of the present. Even if you don’t have time to check out a traditional Japanese festival, in Asakusa, you can feel that vibe anytime. 

Tokyo has many other places to offer

In addition to these spots, Tokyo offers countless other locations where the new blends in with the old. Each district has its own unique character, and wearing a yukata or kimono allows you to connect with the city on a deeper level.

Whether you’re exploring the historical roots of Nihonbashi, the fashionable streets of Omotesando, or the spiritual sites of Asakusa, walking in a traditional Japanese attire will enhance the experience, making it both a memorable and meaningful trip.

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Header image credit: Elisa

Writer’s profile: My name is Elisa. I am a student at Rikkyo University in Tokyo and I major in tourism. I am currently an intern at JR East Singapore. I love travelling!