Hello! I am Misa Endo, the manager of Nikko Kimono Rental COCON NIKKO.
We hear the words “Sustainability” and “SDGs” everywhere these days. Protecting the global environment is a wonderful and necessary goal, but at COCON NIKKO, I cherish a deeper kind of sustainability.
I call it “The Sustainability of Heart and Happiness.”
The kimono culture I love so dearly is rooted in the beautiful Japanese wisdom of “Mottainai”—cherishing things, using them for a long time, and passing down memories from one generation to the next, even if their form changes.
Today, I want to share with you the sustainable initiatives we’ve been quietly and steadily building here at COCON NIKKO.
1. Breathing New Life into Stories: Upcycled Kimono and Obi
Every kimono and every obi (sash) has its own story. Some were custom-made for a special day, some were worn with pride, and some were kept with care for decades. However, over time, some become too fragile to be worn as a full kimono anymore.
But I cannot simply say “goodbye” to them. Why? Because the “soul” of the maker and the previous owner still lives within the fabric.
Turning “Yesterday’s Treasures” into “Today’s Kawaii”
At COCON NIKKO, we pour our hearts into upcycling these precious fabrics.
• Obi to Bags: Luxurious, embroidered obi are transformed into one-of-a-kind clutch bags and handbags, utilizing their unique thickness and luster.
• Kimono to Hair Ornaments: Delicate silk remnants are reimagined as Tsumami-zaiku (folded fabric) hair clips, sash ornaments, and drawstring pouches.
We offer these to our guests as part of their rental. When a guest picks up one of these bags, they don’t see “old junk”—they see “overwhelming cuteness reborn for a new era.”
“I wonder what kind of story this obi had?”
The moment a guest thinks this, the old story of the kimono intersects with the new story of their journey. This is my philosophy of “The Beauty of Not Wasting.”
2. Passing the Baton of Happiness: The Heritage of “Kanzashi”
One initiative particularly close to my heart is how we welcome children for their Shichi-Go-San (7-5-3) celebration.
Shichi-Go-San is a once-in-a-lifetime milestone. To brighten this special day, I personally lend out the Kanzashi (hair ornaments), Kanoko, and Chinkoro (hair ribbons) that I and my own daughter once used.
A Wish for “Everlasting Happiness”
These items are my personal treasures, filled with memories of watching my own daughter grow.
By placing one of these ornaments on a nervous child as they prepare for their big day, it feels as though the “happiness” my family experienced is being handed down to that child.
“Passing the Baton of Happiness.”
This isn’t just a rental service. It is the transmission of the beautiful Japanese spirit of “caring for others.” I hope that when these children grow up, they remember: “That ornament I wore was someone else’s precious memory.” This is how the Japanese spirit stays sustainable across generations.
3. Kindness to Earth, Cleanliness for You: The Choice of “Washable Kimono”
We cannot talk about sustainability without addressing maintenance and energy.
Most of our rental kimonos at COCON NIKKO are made from high-quality “washable” materials. This is a very deliberate choice on my part.
Minimizing Energy for Maintenance
While traditional Shoken (pure silk) kimonos are magnificent, they require immense labor, specialized solvents, and high energy for cleaning.
By choosing high-quality “washable” kimonos, we achieve:
• Maximum Cleanliness: We can provide the highest standard of hygiene to every guest through water-washing.
• Energy Reduction: We minimize the environmental burden of specialized dry cleaning.
• Accessibility: Guests can enjoy Nikko—its nature and its “street food”—without worrying too much about stains, even on a rainy day.
“Uncompromised beauty with a reduced footprint on the Earth.”
This is our responsibility as a modern kimono shop, and I want our global guests to know the “why” behind their beautiful attire.
Kawaii & Fun & Happy: From Nikko to the World!
My motto has always been “Kawaii, Fun, and Happy!”
Sustainability shouldn’t be about endurance or being plain.
• An old obi becomes a bag: “Kawaii!”
• Wearing a heritage hair ornament: “Fun!”
• Walking in an eco-friendly kimono: “Happy!”
This positive energy is the engine for “From Local to Global.”
• Nikko Again: “I want to come back to that warm, sustainable shop.”
• Nikko is beautiful: Protecting the nature of Nikko for the next generation.
• Kimono is beautiful: Showing the world the strength and beauty of kimono as a living culture.
My Sustainability Declaration
I am grateful every day to run my business in a place as majestic as Nikko. When we reached 900 5-star reviews, I realized one thing: guests aren’t just looking for “things,” they are looking for “heart.”
Giving new life to old fabrics, sharing family treasures with the next generation, and making eco-friendly choices—these may be small steps. But I believe they create a massive “Cycle of Happiness.”
“I will give everything I have!”
That is my promise to you and to this sustainable journey. I will continue to protect the beauty of Nikko, spin the tales of the kimono, and share “Happy” with guests from all over the world.
Thank you for being part of COCON NIKKO’s small but passionate challenge!
Misa Endo
Manager, Nikko Kimono Rental COCON NIKKO
The Experience of “Wearing a Kimono”
Wearing a kimono gives your daily life an extraordinary sparkle. It is like magic that liberates your heart and helps you discover a new version of yourself.
Through the filter of a Yukata or Kimono, Nikko shows a completely different expression—drawing your eye to architectural details or the beauty of nature you might have missed. The memories of that day will become a treasure deeply engraved in your heart, not just “tourism” to be consumed.
We want to be your “Travel Partner.”
COCON NIKKO is not just a rental shop. We are here to support your “best memories.”
Why Choose COCON NIKKO?
- Prime Location: Only a 5-minute walk from Tobu Nikko Station. You can get dressed immediately after arrival and start sightseeing light!
- Hassle-Free: Come empty-handed! We have everything you need.
- Professional Service: Our professional staff will dress you carefully so you stay beautiful and comfortable all day long.
- Full Support: From hair setting to coordination, we support you fully even if it’s your first time.
- Extensive Selection: We offer many retro-modern kimonos that match the seasonal colors and streets of Nikko.
Make your trip to the World Heritage city of Nikko unforgettable.
Whether for an anniversary, graduation trip, date, girls’ trip, or family vacation, we promise a special experience.
Reservations & Access
[Reserve Here]
We accept reservations 24 hours a day via our website.
Next-day return is available for an additional 1,650 yen (please indicate in the message box when booking).
Check out our Guest Gallery!
See the smiles of our customers on X, Instagram, and TikTok.
Nikko Kimono Rental COCON NIKKO
- Address: 425-1 Ishiya-cho, Nikko City, Tochigi Pref. 321-1405
- Tel: 0288-25-6625
- Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Closed Wednesdays)
- Access by Train: 5 min walk from Tobu Nikko Stn / 8 min walk from JR Nikko Stn.
- Access by Car: Approx. 8 min from Nikko Interchange.
We are waiting for you with a smile to open the door to your “extraordinary” experience!