Creative Portraits brings together three signature photo series from across our studios: the Cyberpunk Portrait at ESPERANTO Kyoto, the Hyakki Yagyo (Night Parade of a Hundred Demons) series at Studio Kokoro Arashiyama, and the Seasonal Flower series at Kokoro Hanashizuku. Rather than recreating one historical figure, each series has its own fully developed world — you choose the one that speaks to you, and our stylists bring it to life.
Book a Creative Portrait Session
Three Signature Series, Three Studios
While experiences like our Maiko, Oiran and Samurai sessions recreate a specific historical figure, Creative Portraits works from a different set of concepts: three signature photo series, each developed in-house by a different KOKORO studio. Rather than describing your own idea from scratch, you choose one of these existing worlds and our stylists recreate it for you.
Before your session, our team walks you through the series available at that location so you can see the styling, colors and mood in advance. Because each series already has a fully developed look, there's nothing to invent on the spot — you're stepping into a concept our stylists have already perfected.
Cyberpunk Portrait — ESPERANTO Kyoto
At ESPERANTO Kyoto in Okazaki, the Cyberpunk Portrait pairs neon-toned makeup, sculptural hair and futuristic styling for a look far removed from traditional Kyoto imagery — a favorite for guests who want something bold and modern.
Hyakki Yagyo — Studio Kokoro Arashiyama
At Studio Kokoro Arashiyama, the Hyakki Yagyo (Night Parade of a Hundred Demons) series draws on Toriyama Sekien's classic Edo-period yokai illustrations. Each yokai has its own dedicated hair, makeup and costume, styled from beauty rather than fright.
Seasonal Flowers — Kokoro Hanashizuku
At Kokoro Hanashizuku in Gion, the Seasonal Flower series changes with the calendar, styling hair and dress around the flower in bloom that season.
Because each series belongs to a specific studio, the options available to you depend on where you book — ask when reserving if you have a particular series in mind.
What to Expect
Your session includes professional hair and makeup styled to match the series you've chosen, a wardrobe fitting, and a guided photo shoot with our in-house photographer, who suggests angles and poses rather than leaving you to figure it out alone. Basic retouching is included in the finished images.
Because each series has its own established look, you'll know in advance what to expect from your finished photos — while still getting the full transformation and guided styling that makes it a memorable way to celebrate a special occasion or simply try something new.
Experience it yourself
