About Serendipity
Bi-lingual husband and wife elopement planners, based in Tokyo, devoted to helping couples like you plan the perfect elopement in Japan.
Concept
Why Work with Us?
An elopement in Japan should be more than a ceremony in beautiful surroundings. It should feel personal, considered and true to the two of you.
At Elope in Japan, we specialise in intimate elopements shaped around each couple’s priorities. That might mean a ceremony at a historic Shinto shrine, exchanging vows in a private garden or incorporating kimono and other cultural experiences into the day. Our role is to help you understand what is genuinely possible and bring the different elements together thoughtfully.
With over a decade of experience and a trusted local network, we coordinate the planning, venues and permissions, photography, florals, kimono and other experiences involved. This allows you to remain present for the occasion rather than managing its logistics.
Relationships built through trust
Many of the places where we work were not designed as wedding venues. They are private homes, historic gardens and cultural spaces whose owners and caretakers are understandably selective about how they are used.
Elope in Japan arranged the first weddings at several of these properties. In other cases, owners have approached us because our small, carefully managed elopements felt appropriate for the setting. These relationships have developed through experience, respect and an understanding that a venue is never simply a backdrop.
This allows us to introduce couples to distinctive places while protecting the qualities that made them special in the first place.
Our aim is not to impose a standard wedding format on a Japanese setting. It is to create an occasion that reflects you while respecting the history, culture and people connected to the places where it unfolds.
Your Day. Your Way. In the heart of Japan.
What we do:
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Organize distinctive elopement ceremonies in Japan.
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Offer exceptional experiences to a select few instead of a lackluster experience for many.
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Eliminate uncertainties associated with marrying in Japan: no surprises; no stress.
How do we do it:
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We offer a range of venues and locations available for booking to create the ideal setting for your ceremony.
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We have gathered a talented selection of photographers, videographers, hair and makeup stylists, and cultural experts to provide the best experience on the big day!
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We handle the acquisition of permits for ceremonies and photo shoots.
How Can We Help?
Planning an elopement in Japan can feel overwhelming: the language barrier, cultural differences, and complex bureaucracy can make it challenging. Without local support, navigating these hurdles can seem nearly impossible.
That’s where we come in.
With Ayako’s expertise as a Japanese wedding planner and travel consultant, combined with Ross’s customer service background in both the UK and Japan, we make the planning process smooth and stress-free. After all, that’s why so many couples reach out to us!
Elopements should be about joy, not logistics. Hiring an experienced wedding planner removes the stress of coordinating details, allowing you to focus on what truly matters—your special day.
Beyond planning, Ayako’s background as a florist and Ross’s photography mean we are able to offer a one-stop elopement experience. Whether you dream of an intimate ceremony or a larger celebration, we can tailor a team to bring your vision to life.
With over a decade of wedding experience, including six years dedicated exclusively to international couples, we have the expertise to make your elopement seamless, personal, and unforgettable.
Whether you envision a traditional Japanese wedding or something simple and intimate, we’d love to help. Get in touch, and let’s start planning!
But don’t just take our word for it—see what our couples have to say on TripAdvisor!
Our Personal Mission:
You may have guessed: we are animal lovers!
Our dogs are our lives and we are sure that anyone who owns pets can also agree. Ever since we got Miles in spring 2016 and Chick, by rescue, in summer 2017, we have wanted to give back.
By working with us you are helping us to support local animal charities to raise awareness of rescue services for abused and abandoned pets, and animals in general.
Our Story
When we got married, we didn’t have a clear vision of what we wanted—but we knew what we didn’t want. We didn’t want to be locked into a rigid, one-size-fits-all plan. We wanted a wedding that felt authentic and personal, where we had the freedom to shape our day.
But when we met with various agencies, we realized how inflexible the industry could be. Their focus was on fitting couples into a pre-designed template—not on creating a unique experience.
Frustrated, we decided to forgo a formal wedding. Instead, after registering our marriage at city hall (technically, in a basement bicycle shed because the office was closed for a holiday!), we celebrated with a small home gathering surrounded by close friends and family. It was simple, meaningful, and most importantly—it was ours.
That experience shaped our philosophy. We believe that every couple should have the freedom to write their own story, whether that means an elaborate celebration or an intimate, minimalist moment. Your wedding should reflect you—not someone else’s idea of what it should be.
That’s why we created Elope in Japan—to give couples the flexibility, creativity, and support to design a wedding that feels right for them, hence: Your Day. Your Way!