Wearing a yutaka at a ryokan

hello everyone......

I've been putting this question off for a while now - but need to ask it!!! I'm off to Kyoto next month and for a couple of nights my husband and I will be staying in a traditional Ryokan in Takayama. My worry is about the Yutaka ..... I am a BIG girl (approx size 24 UK) and I am worried the Yukata will not fit.

I'm sort of OK about it but I don't want to cause any embarrassment to the Ryokan owner. What do you think?? Will a Yutaka fit me???

Thanks x

No problem large size stocked usual.
Maybe you didn't understand about Summer Yukata(for local fes) and Ryokan Yukata different.

Ryokan Yukata is simple design no fat large belt(obi) wearing ownself easy
and just comfortable room wear for after hot bath (onsen) body cooling down
also walk out possible at Onsen town as traditional custom.
http://livedoor.blogimg.jp/yoitokonet/imgs/a/3/a3fe9cdd.jpg
http://urx.nu/daER
http://urx.nu/daF1
http://urx.nu/daH7

Summer Yukata are fashionable
with stylish hear wearing ownself hardly and you want one.
http://urx.nu/daFm
http://www.waso-net.com/waso-blog/906
Long obi works is key of wearing.
http://www.yukatamusubi.com/contents_03_01.html

The width isnt going to be a problem, because they kind of wrap around. I've been to some ryokans where the yukata has been very short on me, but most of the ones that are used to westerners have big sizes.

I find that the trickiness is in finding a way to sit down without exposing myself.

(Perhaps that's just me....when they were giving out gracefulness, I must have been in another queue!)

Just to chime in, if you put it on and feel uncomfortable in it, it is absolutely your choice to wear it or not, so don't feel like you have to! But I think you will be fine :) Have a great trip!

My solution was to buy one and bring it with me. I shirt size is 4XL-Tall, and none of the Yukata's fit me at the Ryokan. I went to this site:

http://www.japanesestyle.com/catalog/clothingaccessories/yukatas

I purchased the Blue Koi Yukata, and you will find that there are several different sizes for larger people in that style. I will tell you that the fabric in the Yukata that I purchased was not as nice as the ones supplied at the Ryokan. While in Japan, I went to Fabric Town In Nippori (in Tokyo) amd purchased some nice cotten fabric. My wife then made a Yukata from that, and that is what I now use, along with a summer men's OBI that I purchased in Asakusa.

I never wear yukatas at ryokans any more. I'm fairly big myself, and the large size ones they provide are always too long, actually. Plus I hate fussing with them to get them all tied properly, and tucked and pulled neatly. To heck with that.

Probably you do want to try one just for the experience (and if they provide geta for strolling around outside, try those too). If you like it, then fine. But I have gotten so I am much more comfortable wearing street clothes and/or loungewear, and I've found in ryokans with restaurant-style dining there are usually a lot of Japanese people who aren't wearing yukata either.

I always pack some clothing that is suitable to wear to the baths (easygoing casual loungewear) and/or restaurant (usual the same; I pick items that are slightly dressy looking). For dinner served in the room I always wear loungewear.

Ryokans do not have strict dress codes, so it's okay to dress fairly casually even if you opt not to wear a yukata. Of course, Japanese women tend to put a lot of energy and money into their wardrobes, so even at their most casual they are usual quite well presented.

Ryokans where welcome international visitors normally equip small to extra large size Yukata. There is no difference between male and female yukata at Ryokan so if it is too small for you, ask the staff at Ryokan you need larger size.

No one will care if you don't wear a yukata.

Bying one and bringing it is also not a bad idea. Yukatas are not expensive (30 - 50 USD) and they pack tightly.

Awww - thanks everyone for taking the time to answer my question . . . I really appreciate it. You've all put my mind at ease and I'm feeling a lot more comfortable about it now. I'm will go to the Ryokan relaxed and enjoy the surroundings (and the hot springs). I'm really looking forward to it now.

Thank you again . . . .

Speaking of yutakas....can anyone suggest a good place to buy a nice yutaka in Tokyo or Osaka? I'm sure there are countless places to get them, but would like a recommendation for someplace where a first-time visitor can find a good quality yutaka, with a good selection, at a reasonable price. Thanks!

We bought a nice yukata at the Oriental Bazaar on Omotesando in Tokyo a couple of years ago. They have a nice collection of well made Japanese souvenirs, pottery, woodblock prints, yukata, kimono, etc....

Note that it is a yu-ka-ta