Only in Japan: Playing dress-ups with a difference

During summer festival season on Japan's Shikoku island, the streets are alive with the colours and patterns of the traditional Japanese dress, the kimono. At Takamatsu's famous Ritsurin Gardens, on the island's north-eastern coast, a dresser is on hand for visitors wishing to hire a kimono for their stroll around the paths, ponds and bridges. Visitors can pose for photos in a beautiful robe, complete with parasol and fan, against the pretty backdrop of the ancient gardens.

Kimono means "wearing thing" in English and was thought to have been worn in Japan as far back as 792. The fabrics are decorated with an endless variety of colours, designs and motifs - some even bearing poems.

The director of kimono Dressing FUJI, Chizuru Fujii, helps visitors of all ages, shapes and sizes choose from her range (her kimonos go up to size XXL). Ms Fujii said people are often surprised at how comfortable the elaborate-looking dress is to wear. "Once they get dressed in their chosen kimono I take them out for photo shoots for a few minutes as I know good spots in Ritsurin Garden," she said.

Visitors can pose with the brilliant russet leaves in autumn, the blossoms in spring, and the waterlilies and lotuses blooming against the still water of the ponds. A kimono is also perfect for relaxing on a boat cruise along the garden's south pond or taking a break in the traditional tea house.

Ms Fujii also loves to tell her customers about the cultural importance of the kimono, which was once only worn by commoners. As kimonos became more elaborate they have become increasingly expensive and for most Japanese are now only worn on special occasions.

Ms Fujii said her main customers are non-Japanese, particularly tourists from Asian countries, but when cruise ships dock there are plenty of Western tourists wanting to look the part. She is also an international sake sommelier and conducts sake pub crawls around the city. "I take tourists to places where the locals go. I can explain about the different flavours of sake, introduce the local sakes brewed in this area, the history and how it is made."

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In Takamatsu, Udon noodles are the local specialty. "I love Udon noodles so I talk to visitors about the good Udon restaurants they should go to. Also people ask me about other nearby must-go restaurants, shops and bars," she said.

Ms Fujii, like so many people we meet on Shikoku, is excited to share the history and colour of the island's ancient traditions.

"I hope more and more non-Japanese visitors will come to Takamatsu and enjoy the experience of wearing kimono and stroll the traditional Japanese garden - just like in the olden days!"

Where: Ritsurin Gardens are in the city of Takamatsu, in Kawaga prefecture on Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's main islands.

How much: Admission to the gardens, open daily year-round, is 410Y ($4.30) an adult 170Y for a child. Kimono hire is 6000Y for three hours.

Explore more: my-kagawa.jp/static/en/ritsurin/

The writer travelled courtesy of JNTO.