How to Order a Kesa or Buddhist Robe from Outside Japan

Can I order from outside Japan?

Yes, please contact us. Naoshichi Houiten is a Kyoto shop that has worked with Buddhist robes and kesa since 1920, and our customers include temples in Japan and abroad. International shipping may be available depending on the item and destination, so please contact us before ordering so we can confirm availability, shipping charges and payment arrangements. Because most of our items are made to order and our product pages are written in Japanese, we recommend that you contact us first, tell us what you are looking for and let us guide you.

How does ordering work, step by step?

1. Tell us what you need. Write to us by email, the shop’s contact form or LINE. Tell us the item, the quantity, your school or tradition (it affects the specification) and your country.
2. We reply in English with details. We confirm the specification and the price in yen and tell you how long the work will take. Many items are made to order, so please allow time, and tell us early if you have a date to meet.
3. You place the order. The order is placed on our online store, where prices are shown in Japanese yen. Available payment methods are shown at checkout and may vary by destination; if your usual method does not work, tell us.
4. Shipping is billed separately. At checkout, the shipping line for destinations outside Japan may show ¥0. This is because the real cost depends on size, weight and destination. We calculate it after your order and bill it separately; we will confirm this with you when we reply.

What should I include in my first message?

• The item you are looking for (for example: seven-strip kesa, wagesa, a black robe) and the quantity.
• Your school or tradition, and the occasions you will wear it.
• Your height and, if you know them, your measurements. We will tell you how to measure if not.
• Your country, and the date you need the item by.
• Photographs of what you have now, or of something similar. They help a great deal.

How are shipping, customs and lead time handled?

Shipping cost

Shipping outside Japan is quoted individually, based on the destination, size and weight, and billed after the order. It is not included in the price shown at checkout.

Customs duties and import taxes

Depending on the rules of your country, customs duties or import taxes may be charged when the parcel arrives. These are not included in our prices. Please check the rules of your country for religious clothing. We can provide available product information for customs clearance; additional documentation may need to be checked separately.

Lead time

Many items are made to order by tailors in Japan, so the production time depends on the item and on how busy the workshop is. We advise the estimated production time in our reply. International transit and customs clearance require additional time. If you are ordering several pieces, we can look at sending them together.

Payment and returns

Available payment methods are shown at checkout and may vary by destination. Please read the shop’s policies on the online store before ordering. Repair options depend on the condition of the item; please send photographs before arranging shipment to Japan.

How much does a kesa cost?

Prices range from tens of thousands of yen for a wagesa to several hundred thousand yen or more for a handmade five- or seven-strip kesa, and some items are priced on request. A few examples that were listed on our shop on 25 October 2026 (prices in yen; they may change, so please check the product page):

These are shop prices in yen. Shipping and import duties are in addition. Exchange rates and the final amount are decided by your card or bank at the time of payment. Many items can be made in several price ranges; if your budget is fixed, tell us and we will propose something that fits.

How do I contact you?

Written by Kengo Kawakatsu (“Naoshichi”), fourth-generation owner of Naoshichi Houiten, a Kyoto maker of kesa and Buddhist robes since 1920.