Online kimono and japanese clothing shop

Fans of Japanese culture, people who want a kimono as a robe or jacket, gift buyers, cosplayers, martial arts and tea ceremony students, and wedding or event guests.

You buy stock at a trade or vintage price and sell at a markup. Vintage pieces are one-offs, so each can carry a higher price. Add-ons such as obi belts, accessories and care guides raise the value of each order.

• Knowledge of kimono types and how they are worn
• Good product photography and descriptions
• Customer service and handling returns
• Basic stock and order tracking

• Customs duty, import VAT and shipping costs on goods bought from Japan, check the current rules with HMRC before buying stock
• Online selling rules on refunds, cancellation and clear product descriptions, check Trading Standards guidance
• Clothing sold new needs correct labelling, check what applies to textiles
• Vintage silk can be delicate or marked, so describe condition honestly to avoid returns
• Public liability and product insurance, and VAT registration if your turnover grows

Startup costs are typically around £800 to £5,000, depending on how much stock you buy, your website and photography setup, and shipping supplies. Treat this as an estimate and check import costs before buying stock.

Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £3,000, depending on your range, the quality of your photos and descriptions, and how much time you spend. Describing condition honestly helps you avoid returns on vintage silk.

Check customs duty, import VAT and shipping costs on goods from Japan with HMRC, Trading Standards guidance on refunds and cancellations, textile labelling for new clothing, insurance, and VAT registration if your turnover grows.