[Snap Special] Infiltrating #TokyoKimonoShow! A collection of kimono styles captured by the camera, from elegant to unique: "Kimono is expression!"

Tokyo Kimono Show 2025 is an event that promotes the charm of kimono in the wholesale district of Nihonbashi and Ningyocho. With this year's theme being "Kimono is expression!", I looked forward to covering the event and seeing the unique coordinates, works, and the kimono styles of the visitors, ranging from traditional to innovative!

In this article, I have compiled snapshots of various kimono enthusiasts that I met during the three days of the Kimono Show, related projects, and in the neighborhood. Please take your time to look through them. You can also jump to sections that interest you using the table of contents.

Tokyo Kimono Show 2025 Event Overview

Dates: April 18 (Fri) – April 20 (Sun), 2025
Venue: Nihonbashi Ningyocho Wholesale District Area, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
<Main Contents>
Kimono Style Exhibition, Wa-Marche, Stage Programs, Japanese Culture Enjoyment Area, Workshops, (and many other related events)

Sankatsu Yukata Museum "Moving Kimono" Exhibition - Sheila Cliffe and others

On the first day, in front of the Antique Kimono Suzaku exhibition, I was able to meet kimono researcher Sheila Cliffe for the first time! I am looking forward to the talk show held the next day.

Here is the scene from the day of the talk show!

Encounters at the Sunrise Building

I was allowed to take photos of some stylish people waiting in the lobby of the main venue, the Sunrise Building, while they were waiting for their friends.

Since the reporting team was also able to meet up with friends, we took individual photos and a group photo!

The timeline jumps a bit here... but this is hossy-san, whom I met at the Sunrise Building after the curtain closed on the third day!

During the event, our photographer also happened to run into a kimono-wearing friend,

and it turned out later that this super impressive goldfish bag was also a work by hossy-san!

Wa-Marche venue exhibiting artists and others

Now, let's go meet the exhibiting artists and their works!

Since I went to the Tokyo Kimono Show every day, I was able to photograph all the outfits of the NEO KIMONO ObideBoots official ambassador who was also helping out at the exhibition booth every day!

Another official ambassador. Caught a nice shot just as she left the building! The balance of the boots is amazing.

The following are visitors I met at the Wa-Marche!

Wonderful foreigners...! I also had the chance to photograph these two, whom I had been admiring from across the road.

After leaving the Wa-Marche, which was overflowing with unique items and outfits, I spotted a lovely young lady in a kimono.

While heading to the next venue, I discovered a wonderful kimono outfit at a charming eel restaurant in Ningyocho! I couldn't help but ask to take a photo.

Over these three days, I met many people wearing kimonos on every street in this area and even at the cafes where I went to take a break.

At the Horidome Children's Park Wa-Matsuri

Near the Blooming Nakanishi Building, where the show stage was held, a refreshing dining space was set up under the blue sky at Horidome Children's Park!

Our reporting team also had lunch. It was a rich, high-energy meal!

Extra Edition: Kimono Men's Cafe Kizaemon

Four stops from Ningyocho Station on the Hibiya Line, in Ueno, is Kimono Men's Cafe Kizaemon, operated by men's kimono shop Fujikiya. In April, it was open for three days, coinciding with the Tokyo Kimono Show. After leaving the Tokyo Kimono Show, I slipped in just before closing time.

This time, the special project menu created by university students was just too interesting!

That concludes our snap special, filmed from 4/19 to 4/20, 2025!

From beautifully polished, orthodox kimono styles to free and unique ways of wearing them, the space was overflowing with various ideas regarding kimono-related items, including materials, colors, patterns, and how to utilize them.

There were so many moments I still wanted to capture: people gathering and enjoying themselves in their own chosen outfits, people standing in the venue or on the streets in cool coordinates, those riding rickshaws, and the staff members.

It left an impression on me when a friend who attended the Tokyo Kimono Show for the first time said, "If the Kimono Show had such a free atmosphere, I wish I had come sooner!"

Perhaps some of you are reading this article before the 2026 Kimono Show. As featured in this article, there were many people at the venue, from those wearing kimono traditionally to those with casual styles, and even those with quite creative looks.

I hope this encourages those who think, "I love kimono, but I'm hesitant about whether I should go..."

When I spoke with people, I felt that while everyone had different ideas about kimono and Japanese attire, what they all had in common was that they "love kimono." Expressing themselves through kimono and using kimono to express themselves. It was a three-day festival where such people gathered. I, the author, was inspired by everyone I met, and I want to continue going out, learning more, experiencing more, and sharing it with you all.

To everyone I photographed and to the organizers, thank you so much!

Finally, a word from Zipangu Gate!

We are a team that handles photography (portrait/product), video production, media management, and event management (including 'Osha-kai', etc.).
We welcome inquiries from companies and brands, and estimates are free. (Product photography for kimono and accessories, model photography, key visual photography, YouTube video production, event planning and management, etc.)

We are also on the executive committee for the "Kimono meets you Festival" to be held in Asakusa on 5/31 (Sat), and we will be exhibiting as an "Osha-kai Photo Booth."
We will be conducting on-site studio photography using multiple lighting sets and background paper. Whether you are alone or in a group, or a first-timer, please feel free to stop by! (The photographer is Eisuke Hasegawa, who handled the photos for this article, and the reception will be managed by the author Ayumimu and other staff.)
For information about the Kimono meets you Festival, please see the website below, X, and Instagram.

Thank you for reading to the end this time as well!

In this note, I will be sending out reports and columns related to kimono and Japanese culture. Please follow this note as well!

[Japanese Culture Specialists]
Photography, Video Production, Event Management, Media Management Zipangu Gate
X is here! -> https://twitter.com/ZipanguGate

Text: Zipangu Gate Ayumi Haraguchi (Ayumimu)
Photography: Zipangu Gate Eisuke Hasegawa

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