MaikoTaiKensutajio yumekouboukyoutoekimaehonten’yoyakusentā

This place is great! Check out details on its website and reservation is a must! Expected to spend 1.5−2 hours for entire process.
Most importantly they are not as crowded as other regular kimono rental place we been to. The dressing up area is clean and lockers are available. I had way more enjoyable dressing up experience there. The staff didn’t rush me, they even have a cheat sheet to track each customer’s dressing up + photo shooting in their studio.
The staff was also very attentive to apply makeup on me and help with picking the Kimono. The clothes there are higher quality so the staff almost followed me around occasionally to make sure I didn’t walk with the train down. Only issue was the wig was a bit dirty but lucky you can’t notice that in the picture.
Regarding the indoor photo shooting, the photographer spoke simple English and guided me how to pose for Maiko and Geiko. The entire process was very smooth and fun. But one key thing is you can’t smile (especially not teeth showing) for most picture or they will look weird. The studio also has a small traditional Japanese area near the reception we can take pics in the kimono freely.
Finally, the staff showed me my photos sample for choosing the final print. The shop offers so many final photo products like wallet cards, key chain, various size of final print. It was annoying to wait for almost 2 months to get mine in the mail from Japan (you can track progress on its Japanese website) but they are very nice.
Honestly the photo plan there starts at $ 9,500 yen which is close to 2 – 3 times than normal kimono rental (no photography no makeup/​hair-​do) elsewhere in Kyoto. The quality speaks for itself and it is truly unique KYOTO thing to do.
Save your kimono rental elsewhere in Japan. They are really everywhere IMO.