Japan's diverse clothing culture primarily consists of traditional wafuku (Japanese clothing), famously including the kimono, and modern yōfuku (Western clothing). Wafuku boasts a rich history, evolving from Heian period color palettes and Tang dynasty silhouettes, with styles largely established by the end of the Edo period, alongside distinct regional attire like the Ainu's attus and Ryukyuan ryūsō. While yōfuku has become the predominant everyday wear, influential designers such as Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, and Rei Kawakubo have globally showcased traditional Japanese aesthetics in high fashion.

Following World War II, wafuku largely transitioned from daily attire to special occasions like summer festivals (with the yukata) and professional use by geisha or sumo wrestlers, due to the increasing availability and affordability of Western clothing. This traditional attire has long fascinated the Western world, sparking the Japonisme movement in the 1860s, though this interest has also ignited discussions around cultural appropriation and stereotyping in more recent times.