“Is rain a reason to give up on wearing kimono?” Not at all. With a few simple items on hand, you can still enjoy going out in kimono even during the rainy season. Today, let’s go through the items that offer peace of mind on rainy days, together with Iroha.

🌸 Start here (for those in a hurry)

At minimum, it’s worth having these three things ready: a rain-cover layer to stand in for a rain coat, a zori (flat kimono sandals) cover, and a spare pair of tabi. Even without a dedicated rain coat, everyday substitutes can see you through.

No rain coat? No problem

Even if you don’t own a dedicated kimono rain coat, a vinyl poncho or a water-repellent stole can stand in for one. Choose a style that fully covers you from over the kimono, and you can protect the hem and obi (the wide sash tied around a kimono) area properly. A wrap-skirt-style rain cover is also handy for keeping everything below the obi dry.

For your feet, a zori cover is your best friend

An essential item for rainy-day footwear is the zori (flat kimono sandals) cover (tsumakawa). It serves two main purposes.

  • Guarding against mud on rainy days — it covers the front and sides of the zori, shielding against splashes of water and mud
  • Keeping things clean on sunny days too — it’s actually useful not just in the rain, but also whenever you want to protect white tabi from street grime

There are also “rain zori,” which come pre-treated with waterproofing or water-repellent finishing. Some already have a clear cover attached, while others let you attach a removable cover afterward, so choose whichever suits you.

🌸 One thing worth remembering. Zori covers tend to be thought of as strictly for rainy days, but they’re also useful for keeping things clean on sunny days. Owning just one means it can serve you all year round.

Always carry one spare pair of tabi

Even when using a zori cover or rain zori, your tabi can still get wet on days of heavy rain. Keeping one spare pair of tabi on hand means you can change into dry ones once you reach your destination, for extra peace of mind. They’re small enough to fit in a bag, so they won’t add much bulk to your luggage.

If you want extra protection for your feet

On days of heavy rain, some people choose to travel in mid-calf waterproof boots and change into zori once they arrive at their destination. If you have a day with a lot of walking ahead of you, this combination is worth considering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I don’t own a rain coat. What should I do if it suddenly starts raining?

A. A vinyl poncho or a water-repellent stole can serve as a substitute. It’s reassuring to choose one large enough to cover the whole kimono.

Q. Can a zori cover be used with any zori?

A. As long as the size matches, it can be attached to most zori. It helps to check the size of your own zori before purchasing one.

Q. Is it better to avoid wearing kimono on rainy days?

A. Not at all. If you prepare a zori cover, a spare pair of tabi, and a rain-cover layer, you can still enjoy going out in kimono even in the rain.

Summary

  • Even without a rain coat, a vinyl poncho or water-repellent stole can serve as a substitute
  • A zori cover is useful not only for guarding against mud in the rain, but also for keeping things clean on sunny days
  • It’s reassuring to always keep one spare pair of tabi on hand
  • On days of heavy rain, there’s also the option of waterproof boots, changing into zori once you arrive

For the full picture of what to bring, please also take a look at this checklist 🌸