In northern Kyoto Prefecture, in the town of Yosano in the Tango region, people have long been producing Tango chirimen silk crepe for high-grade kimonos. Nowadays "Tango chirimen" itself is almost a synonym for luxury kimono. Along the Chirimen Kaido (or chirimen silk road), which flourished as a distribution center for the textile industry, there are still merchant family homes from the Meiji (1868-1912), Taisho (1912-1926), and Showa (1926-1989) eras. In particular, the Former Bito Family Home combines traditional styles with modern ones, leaving a strong impression of the city's prosperity from ages past.
You can experience wearing a kimono at the Former Bito Family Home, strolling streets from a different era (guide included) in a luxurious silk kimono. All the kimono here are made from Tango chirimen, and you get to choose the kimono of your liking. Lunch is served with the same cutlery used by people from bygone eras, and includes seasonal food, with a traditional main dish of bara-zushi (a type of traditional sushi made with rice, seafood, and vegetables). After lunch, you can take part in a series of classes, including wrapping items with a furoshiki (traditional wrapping cloth), tea ceremony, handweaving, bracelet braiding, and a tour of a Tango chirimen factory.