We continue a regular column from Bolton lass Danielle Hayes who lives in Japan. She was born in Bromley Cross and attended Turton High School – class of 2008. She now lives in the beautiful city of Kyoto and spends her days teaching English, writing, and exploring!

WHEN you think about Japanese fashion, what comes to mind?

The first thing for most is probably the iconic image of a kimono.

Walking around modern day Tokyo, you are unlikely to find many women displaying these beautiful, traditional garments.

But, travel to Kyoto — Japan’s tourist hotspot — and you’ll see them dotted around the popular shopping streets.

In fact, Kyoto actually offers a ‘kimono passport’. This card allows users to gain discounts at a variety of traditional Japanese stores when they are wearing their kimono!

This has been created by Kyoto’s tourism board in the hopes of maintaining the traditional ‘feel’ of the city. But the kimono is not just for women.

Although the style varies, men also often wear kimono on the streets.

While women’s kimono are usually very decorative, and are coloured to match each season (reds in autumn, pink in spring, dark in winter, and bright in summer), men’s kimono are much plainer and usually darker, muted colours.

While kimono may be popular to wear around Kyoto; more modern styles of dress are more common across the country — especially among young people.

One of the most common trends you will see amongst Japanese women is “Kawaii”which means ‘cute’ in English, and is how many Japanese women strive to appear.

This style involves lots of pastel colours, frilly and floaty garments, and a close detail to hair and make up styles.

This style of dress also carries over to how these women conduct themselves in their daily lives. Many will be quite soft spoken and will do all they can to appear as “Kawaii” as possible!

If cute isn’t your thing, Japan is home to such a wide variety of fashion that anyone can feel comfortable and accepted.

Japan is the indisputable home of ‘cos-playing’— when you dress as your favourite character from comics, games, TV shows, movies etc.

Often, many ‘cos-players’ make their own costumes from scratch, and are very proud of them. Travelling through Tokyo, a stop in Harajuku on a Sunday will reveal a great peek into this world.

Many ‘cos-players’ like to gather there to socialise and pose for photos with passers-by. Even though ‘cos-playing’ has now spread across the world and encompasses many different genres, the Japanese still hold top place for many.

Every year, in Nipponbashi, Osaka, there is a huge cosplay festival that covers the streets in this popular shopping area.

Here, you will find some of the most amazing costumes, and the people wearing them will often be surrounded by a mob of photographers wanting to capture the moment.

The best thing about Japanese fashion, is that anything goes. Whatever your style, you can find like minded people here.

Walking through a crowded train station, you will see such a wide range of clothing styles, and no-one even bats an eyelid. From kimono to kawaii; cos-play to Lolita; acceptance is the true style of Japan.

Follow Danielle's blog at kinkigeek.wordpress.com