Planning A Destination Wedding In Japan: A Step-By-Step Guide

Planning a destination wedding in Japan requires extra attention to detail, but the country's diverse landscape offers a backdrop for every vision. From mountaintop shrines to serene lakeside settings, Japan has it all. Getting to Japan is simple, with many airlines offering direct flights, and a Japan Rail Pass will help you get around once you're there. English-speaking wedding planners can help you book and communicate with venues and vendors from afar.

How to get a marriage license in Japan

Planning a destination wedding in Japan requires extra attention to detail. Japan offers a diverse landscape, from mountains to cityscapes, gardens and beaches, and is accessible via most airlines.

To get married in Japan, you must prepare the following documents and submit them to a Japanese city office:

• Marriage registration form (kon-in todoke)
• Valid ID (passport, driver's license, etc.)
• Family register (if you are Japanese)
• Certificate of no impediment (for foreigners)
• Birth certificate

You will also need to fill out a Kon-in Todoke (request of registration of marriage) with two signatures from witnesses of any nationality who are over 18 years old. Once you have your affirmation or affidavit and Kon-in Todoke, you should submit all the necessary documents to the municipal office.

A marriage is legally recognised once a couple has successfully submitted the required documents to the city hall registrar to change their status in their koseki (family registration sheet). The family registration sheet serves as a birth certificate, proof of citizenship, marriage license and death certificate.

Transport and travel arrangements

Japan is a far-flung destination, but transport and travel arrangements are simple to navigate. Many airlines offer direct flights to Japan, especially Tokyo, and you can also fly into Osaka, Sapporo, and Okinawa. Once you're in Japan, a Japan Rail Pass will help you get from A to B. You can also consider inviting a destination wedding travel expert to join your vendor team. They can help with planning expertise, group hotel blocks, flight arrangements, and more.

If you're looking for a more intimate wedding, the Grand Prince Hotel has wedding packages that accommodate 10 to 50 guests. The hotel is nestled by a hillside and is less than three miles from Kiyomizu-Dera, a Buddhist temple atop a hill. The Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto is another option, located steps from local restaurants and shops and also close to Kiyomizu-Dera.

For a truly unique destination wedding, you can say your vows atop a mountaintop shrine or alongside the serene beauty of Lake Fuji. Or, envision a wedding beneath a canopy of wild cherry blossoms in the tranquil countryside. Whatever your dream wedding entails, Japan offers a diverse landscape to make it a reality.

Choosing a venue

Japan is an ideal location for a destination wedding, with its diverse landscape offering a backdrop for every vision. When choosing a venue, you can opt for a waterside, bright and airy whitewashed chapel or a cypress-scented one with a wooden, umbrella-like ceiling. The reception can take place in a mansion-style or villa setting.

If you're looking for something more intimate, the Grand Prince Hotel offers wedding packages for small groups of 10 to 50 guests. For a serene setting, consider the Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto, which is nestled by a hillside and just steps away from local restaurants and shops. It's also less than three miles from Kiyomizu-Dera, a Buddhist temple atop a hill.

For a truly unique experience, you can say your vows atop a majestic mountaintop shrine or alongside the serene beauty of Lake Fuji. Envision a wedding beneath a canopy of endless wild cherry blossoms in the tranquil countryside.

Keep in mind that you'll likely be booking and communicating with Japanese wedding venues and vendors from afar. Japan destination wedding planners can be a great help in this regard, offering bilingual support to bring your vision to life.

Wedding packages

Japan is a far-flung destination, but it's accessible via most airlines. Once you're there, a Japan Rail Pass will help you get around. The country's diverse landscape offers a backdrop for every vision, from mountains and cityscapes to gardens and beaches.

There are several wedding packages available in Japan. The Grand Prince Hotel offers wedding packages that accommodate intimate affairs of 10 to 50 guests. The Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto is another option, nestled by a hillside and just steps from local restaurants and shops. It's also less than three miles from Kiyomizu-Dera, a Buddhist temple atop a hill. The hotel offers an on-site garden, 800-year-old pond, and spa for couples to relax and unwind.

When planning a destination wedding in Japan, it's important to consider the marriage license requirements and navigate transportation and communication with local vendors. A destination wedding travel expert or a bilingual wedding planner can help with these efforts.

To help with budgeting, you can use a spreadsheet to calculate the costs in your home currency using the latest exchange rate.

Currency exchange rates

Japan is a far-flung locale, but transportation is simple to navigate. Most airlines fly to Japan, especially Tokyo, and a Japan Rail Pass will help you get around once you're there.

Japan's diverse landscape offers a backdrop for every wedding vision. You can choose between a waterside, bright and airy whitewashed chapel or a cypress-scented one with a wooden, umbrella-like ceiling. The reception can take place in a mansion-style or villa setting.

English-speaking wedding planners in Japan can help you bring your vision to life.

Frequently asked questions