Culture Corner
When summer arrives in Japan, many people enjoy wearing a yukata (浴衣), a light cotton kimono perfect for warm weather. Yukata are commonly seen at summer matsuri (祭り) and hanabi (花火) displays, along with other seasonal events.
A traditional yukata outfit includes several beautiful accessories. The obi (帯) is the wide belt tied around the waist, while geta (下駄) are traditional wooden sandals worn on the feet. Many people also carry a small traditional pouch — such as a drawstring kinchaku (巾着) — along with an uchiwa (うちわ) or sensu (扇子), traditional fans that help keep cool on hot summer evenings.
Wearing a yukata is a wonderful way to experience Japanese culture while enjoying the beauty of summer.
A traditional yukata outfit includes several beautiful accessories. The obi (帯) is the wide belt tied around the waist, while geta (下駄) are traditional wooden sandals worn on the feet. Many people also carry a small traditional pouch — such as a drawstring kinchaku (巾着) — along with an uchiwa (うちわ) or sensu (扇子), traditional fans that help keep cool on hot summer evenings.
Wearing a yukata is a wonderful way to experience Japanese culture while enjoying the beauty of summer.
Vocabulary
Adjectives below can describe the yukata scene above — try using them to describe what you see.
浴衣（ゆかた）
yukata
light summer kimono
noun
帯（おび）
obi
belt / sash
noun
下駄（げた）
geta
wooden sandals
noun
巾着（きんちゃく）
kinchaku
drawstring pouch
noun
うちわ
uchiwa
flat round fan
noun
扇子（せんす）
sensu
folding fan
noun
祭り（まつり）
matsuri
festival
noun
花火（はなび）
hanabi
fireworks
noun
きれい
kirei
beautiful, clean
na-adjective
かわいい
kawaii
cute
i-adjective
鮮やか
azayaka
colorful, vivid
na-adjective
涼しい
suzushii
cool, refreshing
i-adjective
軽い
karui
light (weight)
i-adjective
着る（きる）
kiru
to wear (upper body)
verb
履く（はく）
haku
to wear (footwear)
verb
結ぶ（むすぶ）
musubu
to tie (an obi)
verb
持つ（もつ）
motsu
to carry, hold
verb
歩く（あるく）
aruku
to walk
verb
扇ぐ（あおぐ）
aogu
to fan oneself
verb
Have you ever worn a yukata?
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