Vow Renewals
Vow Renewals in Japan
Renewing your vows in Japan is a deeply personal way to celebrate your journey as a married couple — whether you’re marking an anniversary, embracing a new chapter, or simply reaffirming “I still choose you.” Our vow renewals are designed specifically for couples who want an intimate experience that focuses on connection rather than recreating a wedding day.
At Elope in Japan, we specialise in private, meaningful ceremonies for overseas couples seeking something calm, beautiful and culturally respectful. As an English-friendly, full-service team with deep Japanese roots, we take care of every detail — from venue coordination and cultural rituals to ceremony design and photography — so you can enjoy a completely stress-free experience.
Our vow renewals aren’t performances or productions. They’re quiet moments of truth, held in handpicked locations chosen for their privacy, authenticity, and sense of place. Whether you prefer a traditional villa with a serene garden, or a local shrine tucked into a residential neighbourhood, we curate settings that honour both your story and the spirit of Japan.
Standard Package
¥200,000
Our Standard Vow Renewal plan offers a simple, intimate way to celebrate your love in a beautiful setting. You'll enjoy a one-hour rental of a charming private house and garden—perfect for a peaceful, romantic moment together. A photographer will capture the magic as you exchange heartfelt words in a custom-designed, officiant-free ceremony, followed by a photo-shoot around the venue. Whether you're marking a special anniversary or rekindling your connection, this plan creates a relaxed, meaningful experience surrounded by nature and beauty. It's a lovely way to say “I still choose you,” with all the warmth and romance your story deserves.
Venue:
A private traditional villa hidden in the heart of Tokyo:
Standard Package Includes
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One hour Venue Hire
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Photography
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Personal Vow Exchange
Standard Package Does NOT include
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Hair & Makeup
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Dress or Kimono
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Videography
Optional Extra
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Post Venue city shoot, starting from ¥50,000
NB: Only available during off-peak times.
Peak Seasons: End of March (Cherry Blossom) /April/May and October/November/Early December
Standard Plus Package ¥250,000
Our Standard Plus Vow Renewal plan offers a beautifully balanced celebration of your enduring love. Set in a private house and garden reserved for two hours, you’ll enjoy a peaceful, romantic atmosphere perfect for reconnecting. An officiant will guide you through a heartfelt 10–15 minute ceremony, while a photographer captures every meaningful moment. After your vows, share a traditional sake toast—an elegant touch to honor your journey together - and venue photo-shoot. Thoughtfully designed to be both intimate and memorable, this plan invites you to slow down, reflect, and celebrate your love in Japan.
Choose from one of two venues:
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A private traditional villa hidden in the heart of Tokyo
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A tranquil shrine tucked within a quiet residential area near the heart of Tokyo
Standard Plus Package Includes
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Two hour Venue Hire
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Photography
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Officiant
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Japanese Themed Ceremony
Standard Plus Package Does NOT include
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Hair & Makeup
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Dress or Kimono
Optional Extras
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Post Venue city shoot, starting from ¥50,000
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Videography
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Tea Ceremony
NB: Only available during off-peak times.
Deluxe Bespoke Option
from ¥350,000
The Deluxe Vow Renewal is a fully personalized celebration that brings all the elegance and care of our signature elopements to your vow renewal experience. With complete choice of venue and vendors, you can exchange vows anywhere from a tranquil shrine to a modern rooftop garden. You'll enjoy full planning support, access to our curated pool of trusted venues and vedors, and the option to include professional hair and makeup services. For a touch of tradition, you can also choose from a selection of beautiful wedding kimonos. Every detail is tailored to your story, creating a truly unforgettable day of love and connection.
Costs for the Deluxe Bespoke Option incur the same considerations as a full elopement service. Please see the following blog post for more information: https://www.elopeinjapan.com/post/how-much-does-it-cost-to-get-married-in-japan
Deluxe Package Includes
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A wide choice of venues across Japan
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Photography
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Hair & Makeup
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Officiation
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Japanese Themed Ceremony
Optional Extras
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Post venue city shoot, starting from ¥50,000
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Videography
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Choice of beautiful Wedding Kimonos
Why Work with Us?
We create vow renewals for couples who value privacy, elegance, and authenticity.
No productions, no staging — just a thoughtfully crafted moment that honours the life you’ve built together.
Our bilingual team blends international experience with deep Japanese cultural understanding, guiding you through a seamless, concierge-style process from first inquiry to final photograph. Every element is handled with discretion: venue coordination, symbolic rituals, timing, etiquette, and communication.
We work only with private, permit-secured heritage locations that are not open to the public — chosen for their atmosphere and exclusivity. These are places perfectly suited to an intimate reaffirmation of vows.
For couples travelling from abroad, the experience is effortless.
For couples seeking meaning, it is profound.
For couples who want something quietly luxurious, it is exactly enough — nothing more, nothing less.
Beautifully curated.
Culturally grounded.
Unmistakably Japan.
How does it work?
Contact us
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Initial inquiry
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Set up meeting
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Decide date; sign contract; pay deposit
Planning
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Invitation to project planning board for Deluxe plans
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Planning Calls
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Pay final balance
In Japan
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Check in on WhatsApp; let us know that you have arrived.
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The big day!
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Enjoy your stay!
Photos
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These are digitally delivered up to one month after the wedding; longer for videography.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a vow renewal in Japan legally binding?
No. Vow renewals are fully symbolic and do not involve legal paperwork. You remain legally married in your home country, and the ceremony here is a personal celebration of your journey together.
Do we need to already be married?
Yes. Our vow renewals are designed specifically for couples who are already married and wish to honour an anniversary, milestone, or quiet reconnection.
How far in advance should we book?
We recommend reaching out 3–6 months in advance. Earlier inquiries give us more flexibility with private venue options and timing. That said, don't be afraid to reach out if this is a last minute thing, we may still have slots available.
Can we bring guests?
Our vow renewals are designed as intimate experiences. For the one- and two-hour plans in particular, we recommend keeping guest numbers to a small, meaningful group — ideally no more than five or six people. This allows the ceremony to remain calm, unhurried, and respectful of the private venues we work with.
If you’re considering a larger gathering, we would recommend the Deluxe Bespoke package which offers more flexibility in terms of venues and timing.
What locations do you offer?
For our Standard and Standard Plus Vow Renewal Packages we work exclusively with private, permit-secured venues — a traditional villa or a neighbourhood shrine in Tokyo. These are both quiet, culturally respectful settings, not public tourist sites.
For our Deluxe Bespoke Option we have a wider variety of venues, including Temples, Gardens and Villas in outside of Tokyo.
Can we have our vow renewal anywhere else in Japan?
The Standard and Standard Plus Vow Renewal packages are designed for our private venues in Tokyo.
If you are hoping for a ceremony in Kyoto, Nara, the Mount Fuji region, or another part of Japan, we can certainly explore this with you as part of the Deluxe Bespoke Option. This involve the same level of planning, coordination, and permissions as a full elopement, so a broader budget is required.
If you’d like an overview of cost considerations for events outside Tokyo, you can find more detail here:
How Much Does It Cost to Get Married in Japan?
What happens during the ceremony?
Your ceremony is fully symbolic and tailored to you. You may exchange vows, revisit your rings, or include Japanese-inspired rituals such as:
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San-san-ku-dō (sake sharing)
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Unmei no Akai Ito (the red string of destiny)
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A private tea ceremony
We will guide you through the options to ensuring the moment remains true to you.
What should we wear?
Most couples choose elegant, comfortable attire that reflects the tone of the day.
Can we wear a kimono in the standard or standard plus package?
A full formal wedding kimono requires up to two hours of dressing, which isn’t compatible with the one- or two-hour venue hire included in these packages.
If you would like to arrive in a more casual, tourist-style kimono prepared off-site, we’re happy to recommend reputable vendors. For couples wishing to wear formal wedding kimono, the Deluxe Plan offers the time and flexibility required.
What if the weather is bad?
We plan with contingencies in mind. Many private villas include indoor options, and we can adjust timing when possible. For those opting to renewal their vows in a shrine, we’ll discuss realistic alternatives ahead of time so the experience remains relaxed and enjoyable.
How long does a vow renewal take?
The standard and standard plus plans take one and two hours respectfully. The Deluxe plan typically takes four to five hours, from start to finish.
Can we customise the ceremony?
Yes. Every ceremony is personalised. You can include your own vows, choose the tone of the script, and add optional rituals. We help you shape something that feels authentic and grounded.
Do we need an interpreter?
No. Our team is fully bilingual. All communication and ceremony guidance are provided in English, with any required Japanese handled seamlessly on your behalf.
What’s included in the photography?
Professional photography by Ross Harrison Tokyo is included in all plans. You’ll receive a curated gallery of beautifully edited, high-resolution images delivered within 4–6 weeks.
How long do post venue photo-shoots last?
Our post-venue photo shoots can be tailored to the pace and atmosphere you’d like. The ¥50,000 rate includes one hour of photography, and extended sessions are available for couples who wish to explore additional locations or create a more expansive collection of images. Additional time is arranged on a bespoke basis.
Do you offer hair and makeup?
For the Standard and Standard Plans, the limited venue time is not compatible with on-site styling. Couples who wish to enjoy professional hair and makeup may either arrive fully prepared or select the a plan with greater flexibility.
How do we get started?
Simply send us an inquiry with your preferred date, location, and any initial ideas. We’ll guide you through the options and begin shaping a ceremony that feels elegant, effortless, and uniquely yours.