Pop Japan

Have you spotted a number of girls walking down the city wearing something like a bath robe? You've probably seen a yukata.

Yukata is a casual type of kimono made of cotton, making it more comfortable to wear. The word yukata was derived from the word yu (bath) and katabira (under clothing). It was originally meant to be worn after bathing for it absorbs moisture easier and faster than the regular towel. But not long ago, it became the traiditional wear during summer events like fireworks displays or bon-odori dance festivals.

While you might find it confusing to differentiate kimono from yukata, the difference between the two is that kimono is an expensive kind of traditional garment made of silk and worn by the Japanese people way back in the old times of Muromachi Period (1392 - 1568). It is more formal and delicate.

Yukata, on the other hand, is an inexpensive kind of garment with numerous colors, styles and patterns that you can experiment, it is less formal compared to kimono. But unlike kimono that you can wear all-year round, Yukata can be mostly seen during summer only and in the onsen towns. For that matter, more Japanese people now prefer to wear yukata especially during summer because it still gives you the traditional vibe without worrying about its price and comfortability.

In case you are wondering, men also wear Yukata but theirs is in dark color and simpler in style. Most of the time, you’ll see women wear yukata than men. Here’s a tip to appear more graceful in wearing yukata: women must act in a behaved manner and refrain from doing awkward gestures. Pair your yukata with an obi (sash), geta (sandals made of wood) and a purse and you can now enjoy walking around the city in your yukata.

Photo by Corpse Reviver. Licensed under Creative Commons. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en)