Japanese kimono robe - Yukata

Yukata - Japanese kimono robe

In Japan, the yukata is an informal cotton kimono robe worn to the bath or in summer. People wearing yukata are a common sight at fireworks displays, bon-odori festivals and other summer events. The Japanese yukata is a casual form of kimono that is also frequently worn after bathing at traditional Japanese inns.

The name yukata comes from the word ‘yu’ (bath) and ‘katabira’ (under clothing). Unlike traditional kimono, Japanese yukata is casual and comfortable kimono robe, and is not supposed to be worn on formal occasions.

Yukata outfits

A yukata is a cooling garment to wear. Like other forms of clothing based on traditional Japanese kimonos, it is made with straight seams and wide sleeves.

Unlike formal kimono, yukata are typically made of cotton rather than silk or synthetic fabric, and they are unlined. Traditionally yukata were mostly made of indigo-dyed cotton but today a wide variety of colors and designs is available.

Like the more formal kimono, the general rule of is the younger the person, the brighter the color and bolder the pattern. A child might wear a multicolored print and a young woman, a floral print, while an older woman would confine herself to a traditional dark blue with geometric patterns.