Yukata (æµ´è¡£) is the simple model of Kimono, Japanese Traditional Dress.

The yukata is a japanese summer kimono worn by both men and women. The name yukata comes from the word “yu” (bath) and “katabira” (under clothing ). Thousandsof years ago, Court Nobles wore linen “yukatabira” which were draped loosely after taking a bath. It gradually became worn by japanese warriors and then by the general public when the sophisticated japanese public bath became popular. Today, the traditional japanese yukata is widely used for everything from festivals, ryokan, summer daily wear to simple night attire. In Japan, the yukata is the most popular daily clothing wear and is beloved for its 100% lightweight cotton fabric. The fabric designs vary from the traditional plain cross hatch pattern to more colorful scenery designs.

People wearing yukata are a common sight in Japan at fireworks displays, bon-odori festivals, and other summer events. The yukata is also frequently worn after bathing at traditional Japanese inns. Though their use is not limited to after-bath wear, yukata literally means bath(ing) clothes.

Japanese yukatas are one size fits all and measured in length. Length is measured from shoulder to the yukata bottom. Our beautiful yukata make wonderful robes and great japanese gifts!

How To Wear Yukata :
To wear a yukata pull the right side of the material around your body from right to left, then pull the left side of the yukata around your body from right to left and over the right side. Wrap the sash-style belt around your waist and tie in a bow. You’re done!

There are various style of Yukata. Yukata Princess Robe, Yukata Plum Blossom, Yukata Sumo Design, Yukata Crane Stream. Photos of Yukata, Japanese Traditional Dress here :

Yukata Japanese Traditional Dress

Yukata Princess Robe
This cotton kimono is light and comfortable. Size: Length 137 cm (54 in.); width: 62 cm (24.5 in.)

Yukata Plum Blossom

Made from the finest cotton and lovingly designed, yukata are Japan’s summer kimono. They are easy to wear and comfortable and come complete with a cotton sash. Size: length 142 cm (56 in.); width: 62cm (24.5 in.)

Yukata Sumo Design

Yukata are easy to wear, light and comfortable for both men and women – complete with a cotton sash. Size: 152 cm (59.8 in.); width: 69 cm (27.2 in.)

Yukata Crane Stream

Made from the finest cotton and lovingly designed, yukata are Japan’s summer kimono. They are easy to wear and comfortable and come complete with a cotton sash. Size: length 142 cm (56 in.); width: 62cm (24.5 in.)

Watch How to wear a yukata, Japan Traditional Dress like Kimono, Video here

Japan is a country with strong culture and still holding the traditional culture although also open with high techonology.

Celebrating a local event or festival is a must in every city in Japan. Every local district has it own festival, and celebrated annually altough may be different on date.

Matsuri (祭) is the Japanese word for a festival or holiday. In Japan, festivals are usually sponsored by a local shrine or temple, though they can be secular. There are countless local festivals (matsuri) in Japan because almost every shrine celebrates one of its own. Most festivals are held annually and celebrate the shrine’s deity or a seasonal or historical event. Some festival are held over several days.

Japan Matsuri Festival in Indonesia

Japan Culture is not a new thing for Indonesia Country. Many Japanese ideas are well accepted in the country which has Islam as a majority religion. Let’s say japan dorama, japan anime, japan manga, japan songs, japan cosplay, japan food with its sushitei, japan hairstyles, japan fashion, until japan costumes.

Japan Matsuri will take place in several places in Jakarta city from Oct. 3 to Oct. 11, and will feature various Japanese cultural performances, as well as exhibitions, seminars and contests.

Head of the organizing committee, Kuroda Kenichi, said the festival was held to gather the efforts of stakeholders who had frequently hold forums here to maintain the two countries’ relations.

“At this festival, we will gather the Indonesian and the Japanese communities through a series of events that will allow them to interact.

“We hope the festival will become an annual event in Jakarta and can be expanded to other cities in Indonesia in the future.”

The festival is supported by Jakarta-based groups, including the Jakarta Japan Club, Jakarta Shimbun daily and Jakarta Matsuri Noai.

Photos of Jak Japan Matsuri 2009, contains Japan cultures, japan customes, Japan Hero in Manga or Anime :

Watch KOMUTOKU @ Jak Japan Matsuri 2009, Monas Jakarta Video here

Japan is famous for its manga, anime and games characters. A lot of japan mangas now are really popular all over the world. Who don’t know Naruto, Death Note, Bleach, Soul Eater, One Piece, or Games such as Final Fantasy, Devil May Cry, until some old manga characters like Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, Saint Seiya, Kamen Rider Series, Gundam, etc.

However, Japanese is such a creative and full of ideas peoples. They will imitate their manga or anime idols by wearing their costumes and accessories, to feel and act just their hero. Gradually becoming a signature style for the very fashion-conscious Japanese teens, Anime also launched a new craze in the hairstyle domain, just like the famous Harajuku hairstyles, this trend also spreads its ‘animated’ atmosphere all over the world.

The anime fashion is called cosplay. Cosplay fashion has evolved over the past 10 years or so: when I first arrived in Japan over 5 years ago, `gyaru` or `yomamba` fashion was still popular- a range of bizarre and fetishized takes on a blank canvas of an ultra-dark tan, bleached hair, and intense black and white face-paint, as popularized by J-pop idol Namie Amuro in the 90`s. This style evolved through chic, gothic lolita, hawaiian, and many other permutations. Some of them looked elaborately beautiful, like the voodoo `Calypso` from Pirates of the Caribbean, while others were just the opposite, bordering on the disturbing.

Besides Cosplay, there are still some style that evolved very well in japanese teens nowadays such as Harajuku Style, Gothic Lolita, Visual Kei, Kawaii, Decora.

Here are some photos of japanese men or girls in cosplay fashion. They are like a real hero from their idol character.

Watch he International Cosplay Convention in Nagoya in 2008. We dressed up as a Power Ranger (Lee) and a Batman/Kuala-bear type thing (Lindsay) and took part in a parade of 100′s of Cosplay peeps from all over the world.