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This Tokyo City Vow Renewal ceremony was special. Of course, all our vow renewals are special, but this one marked a new chapter in our business. Up until now, we have held all our vow renewals in beautiful Japanese gardens, and couples had opted to wear kimonos for that unique Japanese experience. We love doing those, and will continue to do so, but it was fun to try something new this time. Following hot on the heals of our recent Tokyo City Elopement ceremony, this event also had a unique story. People renew their vows for a whole host of reasons including: celebrating a special anniversary; reconnecting after a rocky patch or honoring a tradition. For this couple it was a birthday and anniversary surprise rolled into one! We love surprises vow renewals, they are the best kind. After having had a small intimate civil ceremony in New York city, three years before, the groom wanted to do something special for his special bride. A trip to Japan and a vow renewal cermeony: it doesn't get more special than that! Evening Ceremony Unlike the garden elopements, which we typically do in the morning, this vow renewal ceremony was held in the evening. The groom decided on an evening ceremony in the hopes of getting the lights of the city across the bay. This is always nerve wracking, because we simply can’t control the weather! But we couldn’t have been luckier. After a lot of cloudy days, it finally cleared up to present this lucky couple with clear blue skies. This made conditions perfect for a “golden hour” ceremony. As the daylight turned to night the lights of Tokyo city and Rainbow Bridge came on. This transformed an already awesome view into one of romance and magic! It was like a fairy tale! This Tokyo city vow renewal was truly magical: neither the couple the photographer nor I could keep our eyes off the skyline for very long, but long enough for some cool pics, courtesy of Simon Bonny. Following the photoshoot, the couple wrapped up their magical evening with a special tempura meal in the Odaiba Hilton overlooking Tokyo Bay. Wishing the happy couple continued happiness and hope to see them again on their next trip out to Tokyo – the dogs and we miss you! Pictures What did the couple say? Quote taken from TripAdvisor: “My husband surprised me with a trip to Japan for my birthday (which is the day after my anniversary). On our anniversary, he had a second surprise – a vow renewal by Tokyo’s Rainbow Bridge with Serendipity! Ross and Ayako are two very special people, and they made our day truly unforgettable. They took care of every detail – even making our dinner reservations for us – and put us at ease from the moment we met them. Ross and Ayako did an amazing job communicating and coordinating with my husband before our trip so that the surprise was pulled off effortlessly. The best part of all is that we now have two friends in Tokyo :)” Feeling inspired? Contact us today and let's start talking!

Visiting a city like Tokyo for the first time can be daunting. There is so much to do, see and experience. And these days with people planning their trips around what they see on instagram, it can be hard to reconcile all those ideas into a cohesive travel experience. So, as a resident of Tokyo for the past 18 years, here are my five things to do in Tokyo on your very first day. This is a mini-tour I personally went on when I was in Japan for a week back in 2001. It gave me a great overview of the city, one that I have never forgotten. And, when I moved here permanently in 2003 I did it again to help get me oriented and settled. From personal experience, I can highly recommend this to anyone who is over here on a flying visit or even anything longer. In fact, I still take visitors on a similar tour whenever I am lucky enough to host friends and family from home. Purpose of this mini-tour Get an overview of the city, literally, by bookending the day with aerial views from high vantage points. Experience both the modern and the traditional in equal measure, and with a bit of luck, see Mount Fuji! NB: Feel free to access and save our Google My Maps of this tour for your visit to Japan: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1l05U8Zl-L9OlEySHEVhbTaLSxyXBiLTl&ll=35.71600228456001%2C139.81030365544336&z=12 First - Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Shinjuku This relatively new building in Sky Scraper district will give a great first impression the city and help you find your bearings as you prepare for he day(s) ahead. Built in 1995, the whole complex consists of three buildings which house the Tokyo Metropolitan Government which is responsible for all 23 wards (districts) of Tokyo. The building we are interested in is the tallest of the three, a 48 floor skyscraper that splits into two towers from the 33rd floor. On the 45 floor of each tower, named North Tower and South Tower, there is a panoramic observation deck that is free of charge to the public with gift shops and cafes. From the observation deck you will get a sense for how dense the city is, and even pick out some of the other famous locations, such as Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Sky Tree, Roppongi Hills, Meiji Shrine, and of course, weather permitting, Mt. Fuji. They are open from 09:30 until 23:00, however please note, North and South towers of the Metropolitan Government Building are open on alternating days. Second - Meiji Shrine, Harajuku If this is your first day in Japan, this will be your first truly Japanese experience. Get in touch with old Japan by visiting the emperor's shrine, Meiji Jingu. It is located just three stops from Shinjuku on the Yamanote Line. After walking through the gigantic tori gate you will soon forget that you are in the heart of one of the biggest metropolises in the world. The walk along the path through the man-made forest is supposed to cleanse and prepare the mind to be in inner sanctum of the shrine. Despite its appearances, it is merely 100 years old. Next to Harajuku station, it is an incredibly beautiful example of Shinto Architecture and was dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife Shouken. Following the emperor's death in 1912 the government of the time wanted to do something to honor his role in the Meiji restoration, which saw the end of the shogunate and a full restoration of political power to the emperor of Japan. The shrine sits in the heart of a large evergreen forest complex that covers an area of 70 hectares. The trees of the forest, some 120,000, were donated by people from all over Japan when the shrine was constructed. This perhaps indicates the high regard that the people of the time held for Emperor Meiji and his wife. Once you enter Torii gates and make your way through the forest you will start to see why even today, many Japanese like to come here for a bit of respite from the modern world. Third - Omotesando, Oriental Bazaar After you come out of Meiji Shrine (the same way you went in), you will be almost rudely awakened by the throngs of people going about their daily business. Walk through the crowds, an experience in itself, along Omotesando Avenue towards the oriental Bazaar. The mission of Oriental Bazaar is to "introduce Japanese culture to the world,” and they do a great job. It is very popular with tourists, and a few locals, for good reason: the goods are of high quality, yet at a very reasonable (some might even say cheap) price, making Japanese culture more accessible than it otherwise might be. The shop sits on three floors, two above ground and one below, and they sell, among other things, the following: Basement - Kimonos, Yukitas, T-shirts, Fancy Goods, chinaware, books 1st Floor - Japanese porcelain, washi paper, fabric bags and teddy bears, Japanese prints of the ukiyo-e style 2nd Floor - antiques, furniture, antique kimonos, screens, ornaments, vases, lamps Get your souvenirs on the first day otherwise you may never get a chance! Alternatively, if you are organized, take stock of where it is for a later visit. Just note, it is closed on Thursdays - you have been warned! When you come out of the Oriental Bazaar, continue up Omotesando in the same direction. You are looking for the Ginza subway line, to take you across town to the next stop of this tour. Editor's note: the operation of the shop has been scaled back somewhat in response to COVID. Please check the website before venturing out. Fourth - Sensou-ji, Asakusa This beautiful temple shows yet another side to Japan, quite different from anything else you will have seen this day. While the Mieji Shrine pays homage to shinto, this temple pays homage to buddhism; the religion of Asia in general. Sensou-ji is the oldest temple in Japan, making it one of the most significant. Legend has it that a statue of the Kannon was found in the Sumida River by two fishermen. They then took the statue to the village chief who, upon recognizing its significance, converted his house to a temple, so the villagers could worship the Kannon. The first true temple was built on these grounds soon after, in 645; making this the oldest temple in Japan. Perhaps the most iconic part for he temple is the huge paper lantern that hangs from Kaminarimon - "thunder gate". This also represents a great photo-opportunity and is pretty much crowded all day! Once you get through the gates you enter Nakamise-dori, a 250m long shop lined street, with 89 separate boutiques leading up to the temple. Here you will find all manner of goods, from the sublime to the ridiculous. Fifth - Tokyo Sky Tree This was not part of the original tour I went on in 2001. (Simply because it wasn’t built until 2012!) However, given its location in relation to Sensou-ji, it would make a great ending to the day. Plus, if the whether and timing is right, you might just see a stunning sunset over this great city. The sun sets behind the mountain range that includes Mt. Fuji, perfectly silhouetting the conical marvel against the bright setting sun. Then, after sunset, stay just a little longer to witness the twinkling lights of the city, which is equally mesmerizing. This is the only sight today that requires an entrance fee. However, you can get your tickets in advance, and skip to the front of the line on arrival. To purchase your Skytree tickets with an 18% discount, click here!

Since March 2020, many of our followers, clients and past clients will be forgiven for thinking we have gone into hiding. And let’s face it, since March 2020 it seems like a lot of people have! We have not uploaded much on social media nor made many fresh blog updates. We have not been very active online, in general... We felt guilty that we were not providing updates on the pandemic situation in Japan, as we originally set out to do. We had set ourselves the goal to give regular updates about the development of the pandemic and its affect on travel. But the fact is, the situation was so fluid - so fast changing - that no sooner would we have given an update than it would have been out of date. We would have been adding to the confusion rather than clearing things up. Each day brought worse news. And, just like many people around the world, we were in danger of becoming depressed. Honestly, it was a battle to stay upbeat in zoom calls with clients, as they either cancelled or postponed. It seemed there was simply nothing to look forward to. But we knew then, and we know now that this pandemic will end at some point. And we need to be ready. At that point, we were determined to come out of the COVID experience better than when we went in. We felt that while the world had thrown us all a curve ball, and it was no doubt going to be difficult on all of us, it was also an opportunity. In short: Ayako Continued to add to her travel certifications, this time learning more about the domestic travel industry. With this we hope to be able to offer clients an arrival-to-departure “concierge” service and help them maximize their time and experience while here. Many of you know that Ayako loves wine. She is currently halfway to becoming a sommelier and looks forward to sharing her knowledge and love of wine, especially Japanese wine, with you all. Check our her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayako.harrison/ Ross Has taken and passed the first of hopefully three Japanese exams. No longer will Ayako be the sole multi-lingual of this partnership. He still has a long way to go, but it is a start! Has continued to travel Tokyo to photograph this great city and update his personal Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/rossharrison_tokyo/ Serendipity This brand-spanking new website, complete with Members’ Forum is probably the most notable change. We hope that we can use this to build stronger relationships with all our clients, before and after their trip out here. This is where we can provide personalized updates and communication with all. Signed clients will have a private category for private chats. This will aid in the planning for now, as we have maximized all available project boards on our planning software due to the backlog of events as a result of the pandemic. Clients can expect an email later in the week on how to set up their membership. Exclusive partnership with a stunning local shinto shrine for our couples who want to get married at a shrine in Tokyo - together with a specialized website (coming soon). Opened up a relationship with a world heritage temple in Kyoto, which can offer couples uniquely flexible options for their special day and inject a bit of history! These are just some of the positives we are making happen, in spite of the challenges. Don’t get us wrong: it has been and still is stressful. We have missed traveling and working with our amazing couples, terribly. But this was the hand we were dealt with and we were determined to see the positives. Even if it was through gritted teeth! We hope that COVID will be defeated sooner rather than later. When it does, we will be ready and raring to go! We look forward to seeing you and welcoming you to Japan. And when you do get out here, it will be all the more special! Stay safe, with our love and affection, Ross and Ayako

This Tokyo city view elopement was one of the coolest things we have ever done. The couple contacted us at the last minute to see about a casual elopement ceremony somewhere in Tokyo with a modern city view. This was exciting for us, for as much as we love gardens and kimonos, it was great to do something different. And it was an opportunity to try something new. Japan has a healthy mix of new and old, and up until now all of our elopements have paid homage to the old. So, it was great to reflect on the modern side of Japan for once. We had often talked about using Odaiba, in Tokyo Bay. To many, it is quintessential, modern Japan. Once we pitched this to the couple they were sold! And, after contacting the local authorities we found out how easy it was to get a permit for small events such as this, we were sold too! We will definitely be using this spot again! Casual Elopement The couple stressed that they didn’t want anything fancy. The bride is a personal chef for a Hollywood producer and is well aware of what it takes to plan big events. Because of this, she wanted to go to the opposite extreme – as casual and low key as possible. They were in Japan for the first time and only for a few days; they just wanted a small event to say their “I dos”. We were only too happy to oblige! We loved their approach to the whole thing. They focussed on the story behind the event, rather than the spectacle of it. “If it rains,” she said, “it rains; it becomes part of the story!” Indeed they do have a story to tell since her dress got lost in transit…! So, dress wise, it was the most casual elopement we had ever done, but no less romantic and special! The Big-Little Day We hired a car and picked them up from their hotel in Shinjuku and drove through the city. I made a wrong turn or two (which added to the story), but they got to see more of Tokyo than they otherwise would have; and we got to drive over Rainbow Bridge twice! Unfortunately the weather was very overcast, so we weren’t able to get the cool glow of the setting sun as we had hoped for, but the ceremony was nonetheless a special moment. We included a small Japanese custom/story into the event, the “Unmen no Akai Ito” – the red string of destiny. The ancient Japanese believed that each person is connected by an invisible red string to one other, with whom they will make their history. This event certainly became part of the couple’s and our collected history: we will all cherish this “story”. To the couple we wish the very best going ahead. And on your return to Japan, we hope to take you out for a drink or two!

*Edit: As of January 2024, due to permit issues, we can no longer do ceremonies in public gardens. We can of course do post-ceremony photo-shoots. However ceremonies must be done in private venues. Simple Elegance at its Best An Elopement in Tokyo and Japan in general is not just about shrines and temples. It's history, culture, beauty and simple elegance. Japanese people love the intersection between art and nature, which is rarely more noticeable than in a Japanese Garden. And so, few wedding experiences feel more uniquely Japanese than a Japanese Garden Elopement. Gardens are well maintained throughout the year and can offer an intimate, romantic elopement setting in Tokyo. We scour the city, searching for the best settings and easiest places to book, for your Japanese Garden Elopement. With their natural and manicured beauty, gardens in Tokyo can easily rival anything found in Kyoto or Nara. These hidden gems in and around the city are located in either residential areas or close to business centers. And since many of them are off the tourist radar they are quiet and intimate. Furthermore, being cheap and rarely crowded, they can offer the perfect setting for couples who want to keep costs down. They great for those wanting to maximize their budget for the rest of the trip. Japanese garden elopements are perfect for couples who want something elegant yet discreet. In their simplest form, garden elopements take just two hours out of your day, leaving you plenty of time to experience other things and explore other parts of the city. Alternatively, they can also be the starting point for something more elaborate. The choice is yours. As we always like to remind our clients: "Your Day; Your Way!" How does it work? That depends on you. Each couple is different and we wouldn't be doing our jobs if we pushed the same plans on everyone. How we use/incorporate the gardens is as varied as the number of couples we work with. Put simply: Tell us what you want to include. We will either recommend gardens we know or scout for new spots and check the permit requirements. We figure out logistics of travel and preparation. Go to a kimono studio to include the traditional, or not! Hire a hair and make up artist to meet us and join us for the day or take you to one of the many local salons at the start of the day. Have a garden ceremony then incorporate a city photo-tour, either by public transport or private car hire. At the end of the the day, we can: drop you off at a recommended restaurant to celebrate in style take you back to your hotel or anything that you want! It's entirely up to you. As we always say: "Your Day; Your Way!" Frequently Asked Questions When's the best time of year for a Garden Elopement? Generally speaking, spring and autumn are considered prime seasons for outdoor weddings. In summer - Mid-July to Mid-September - it can get extremely hot and humid. Mosquitos will be very active during these months. Winter is incredibly cold and dry. Autumn gives you the opportunity to enjoy the changing leaves, but this also brings out the crowds. Peak bloom for plants and flowers tend to be between April and May. Is there any rain cover in the gardens? Some gardens, yes. Not all. Some gardens have gazebos and tea houses. The tea houses may need to be reserved in advanced. It depends on the policy at each garden. Can we live-stream the elopement? This is a common request these days. If we can overcome the technical hurdles, yes. I heard kimonos are very heavy, can I wear a yukata? Absolutely! Yukata's are summer weight kimonos, usually reserved for more casual occasions. But in the vein of Your Day; Your Way a lot of couples choose to do this. See the first photo on this page: the couple standing on the bridge are wearing yukatas. Important Notes: Due to garden policies we have to limit the number of guests to just five people. If you wish to include more than five people, let us know and we can discuss other options. Japanese gardens typically do not usually incorporate cherry blossom trees. These are planted in public parks and alongside rivers. If Cherry blossom is important to you, contact us, and we will recommend other places or ensure we incorporate them on a city photo-tour. Use of gardens is subject to a permit and the ceremony and photoshoot in the garden must usually be completed in an hour. Some gardens can only be reserved two months ahead of time, some even less. The gardens are public and often busy at weekends, so permits are only granted for weekday use.

As a surprise vow renewal in Tokyo goes, this one was up there among the best we have done. This wonderful couple from Canada have been married three years. And, because this was their first trip to Japan, the husband, Paul, wanted to do something special to give this trip greater meaning. He contacted us about 10 days in advance and luckily we were able to accommodate them. And boy, I am so glad we could! Paul chose to surprise his wife, Ana, with a vow renewal on their final day in Japan. As far as she was concerned, this was simply a kimono photo-shoot in a gorgeous Japanese garden. She had no idea what the true purpose of the morning was. On arrival at the park, we went straight to the gazebo over the pond to start the “photo-shoot”. She still had no idea. After setting up a few “test-shots” with the camera Ross pulled out the ceremony script to reveal the true purpose of the morning. Vow Renewal Day As always in late winter, the weather had been quite changeable, with a lot of showers and intermittent sunshine. However on the morning of the ceremony we woke to very heavy rain… We resigned ourselves to the fact that this would be the first ceremony in the rain. But, fortune was on our side. The rain stopped and the skies even started to clear just before the ceremony. Phew! We met them at their hotel and escorted them through the rush hour transit system to Shinjuku, where, as usual we introduced them to our favored kimono vendor for preparation. As soon as they arrived, they got stuck into the task of selecting their favorite patterns. As usual, the choice of kimonos for women was at first overwhelming. However, after a while Ana was able to select a pattern she liked. She chose a pattern with a cherry blossom motive, which was an appropriate nod to the forthcoming arrival of spring. Once all set, we were ready to move to the garden for "photo-shoot." The taxi ride to the venue took about 25 minutes, during which we were able to talk and get to know each other. This is always one of our favorite parts of this job – meeting new people and forging relationships with new friends from around the world. When we do full wedding planning we have months, and sometimes a year or more to get to know one another, but for vow renewals and some last minute elopements, we don’t have that luxury. As the officiant, it is good to use the taxi trip to get a little more information about the couple to slip into the ceremony; while in this case, not giving up the secret that was yet to come! At the Garden Upon arrival at the garden we discovered that the rain of the morning had actually been a blessing. It kept other visitors away! In other words, we had the park pretty much to ourselves! This was going to be as intimate as a surprise vow renewal in Tokyo could get in a public setting. The signs were good! We allowed the couple a few minutes to soak in the atmosphere of the beautiful surroundings, while we set up a few test shots, before springing the surprise. Paul confessed to slight nerves beforehand, and there were one or two knowing glances between us just before we did the deed. However, Ana's reaction was better than he or we could have hoped! Her shock and tears of joy were a lovely indication of the great relationship these two have. It was a truly special moment; one that we were honored to be a part of. Ceremony and Photo-Shoot The ceremony incorporated the Japanese idea of the “unmei no akai ito” which translates to the “red string of destiny”. Many Japanese believe that an invisible red string connects each person to another, with whom they will make a shared history. It is the belief that there is one perfect soulmate for everyone. In effect, a vow renewal serves as a reminder of this unique bond that a man and wife have. After being reminded, the relationship can only get stronger. After the ceremony, we then embarked on a photo-tour of the garden, and I’ll let the photographs speak for themselves! All that is left to say is we wish the couple all the very best wishes as they continue on their marriage journey, all the more so since they are now parents! Congratulations guys, and do come again, next time bring the little fella with you! 🙂 What did the couple say? From Trip Advisor “I wanted to do something different about our trip in Japan and to give my wife a surprise. Then I came across Serendipity Flower and contacted Ross right away. We did our vow renewal and our experience throughout the entire process was so wonderful and worry free. Ross was absolutely fantastic and so thoughtful, answered all my questions very timely and clearly, he was able to accommodate some of my last minute requests and overcame some challenges with brilliant alternatives. On the day Ross met us at our hotel and we went to the kimono rental place together. After my wife and I all dressed up, Ross called a taxi and we came to this hidden-gem like garden, peaceful, beautiful and quiet. We then met with his wife Ayako who was so lovely. My wife had thought this was a garden tour and Ross kept this surprise at the very last moment and my wife was so happy and burst in tears. Ross and Ayako then took tons of great photos of us around the garden and we received them just a few days after via dropbox. I 200% recommend their services! That was our most favorite and memorable moment of the entire trip! Absolutely lovely. Thank you Ross and Ayako!!” To spring your surprise vow renewal in Tokyo email us at info@serendipity-flower.com. Alternatively, you can leave a message on our contact page, and we will get back to you as soon as we can!

Getting married abroad, in a far-flung exotic location is a dream for many couples. It is a chance to forget about everything else and simply focus on the two of you, the most important people in your marriage story. However, is an elopement in Japan legally binding? The answer is yes...and no! The wedding ceremony in and of itself is not legally bonding. Can foreigners get legally married in Japan? A lot of our couples will have their ceremony and photos here and legalize their marriage back in their home country, either before or after the trip. However, for those who want to do it here, it can be done, but there are a few extra steps to follow. We have helped couples from the US, UK, Australia, Germany, Italy and France get married here. The process for each is different and depends on nationality and their country’s diplomatic relationship with Japan. It will be next to impossible to include information on all nationalities here, and so I will speak on the authority of experience as a British national who got married here in Japan. NB: As with all things legal, please be sure to do your own research before deciding to apply for your own marriage here. Laws are subject to change and while we have helped couples, we are not legal experts. We have to refresh our understanding of the process for each couple we help. This post merely serves as a starting point for your own research. How do you get married in Japan? The legal application needs to be done either before or after the wedding ceremony, but not on the same day. In short, the process is as follows: Before you come to Japan, get an original, certified copy of your birth certificate to bring with you. There may be other documents required, e.g. death certificates, divorce papers, naturalization documents, etc. Once in Japan, you will first need to go to your national embassy to obtain a certificate of no impediment or equivalent. Check the embassy website beforehand, as you may need to book this in advance. You may need to pay some money for the documents. For the British Embassy, I had to pay the yen equivalent of £50. With the embassy documents in hand, go to the city hall. You will need to find out which city hall is willing to process marriage applications for non-Japanese couples. At the city hall, you will need to complete a 婚姻届 “Kon-in Todoke” (the request for the registration of marriage). Here you will present your certificate-of-no-impediment, passport and birth certificate. Once the application is made, wait in the city hall for the marriage certificate. Just note, the certificte is not fancy - just a regular A4 piece of paper. Important to note, the city hall is a nondescript, bureaucratic building; nothing romantic about it. For British, Australians and Americans, that is it. Once they have the marriage certificate, and it was applied for within the laws of the land (Japan), the marriage is considered legally binding. Other nationalities, French, Italian and German for example, will need to perform a few extra steps. One of these could be getting the certificate translated by an embassy approved translator. Again: please be sure to check with your own embassy before proceeding. This article merely serves as a starting point for your research. Please note As you can see, we have and can help couples fulfill their dreams of completing the whole process in Japan. However, it is important to note that our ability to do so is very much schedule dependent - it requires one or more days of over and above the elopement day itself and therefore is another cost consideration. During peak-times - Sakura Season and Autumn - we may not have the schedule flexibility to assist you in this particular endeavour... If you want to know more or would like our assistance at the city-hall, please let us know, we will be happy to help you in any way we can. Contact us today!

Where are the best places to elope in Japan? That's a tough question! Japan is a country rich in culture, art and natural beauty. Therefore, anyone thinking of eloping or getting married here is going to be spoilt for choice. There are simply so many places to choose from. It can be hard to know where to start, or even how! Not everyone who wants to get married here wants to do so in a shrine. So, based on our experience helping countless non-Japanese say "I do," we have put together a short list of our five best places to elope in Japan! In short, our top places to get married in Japan are: Fuji View, Yamanashi Kyo-Machiya, Kyoto "Secret Garden" Garden, Nara Various, Hakuba Private House and garden, Kawagoe Please note: We did not rank this list in order, from one to five. It would be impossible to put these in any kind of order. Each is different and well worth topping anyone's list of the best places to say "I do" in Japan. Fuji View, Yamanashi First up in our five best places to get married in Japan is none other than Mount Fuji. No, not on the mountain itself, but one of the lakes in Yamanashi prefecture with killer views of the conical mount: Lakes Kawaguchi and Yamanaka. UNESCO recently bestowed Mt. Fuji with the status of world heritage site. Whether you agree with this or not, there is no denying just how awe inspiringly beautiful the mountain is. (I have yet to meet anyone who was not enamored with this site.) It is therefore not surprising that this is one of our most requested backdrops for weddings and elopements. Where Do You Have the Ceremony? At the foot of the mountain with clear, unhindered Fuji views, lie the two lakes: Kawaguchi-ko and Yamanaka-ko. They both offer something slightly different. Kawaguchi-ko is quite a chic area, with a picturesque town around the lake. Yamanaka-ko, on the other hand, has more of a rustic feel. Furthermore, at Yamanaka-ko it is possible to have a ceremony anywhere on the lakeside, within inches of the water's edge. As well as at the many lakeside parks and beaches, there are several hotels and restaurants in both areas. These are able to host wedding and parties, ranging from very pricy down to very reasonable, and possibly cheap. It is quite easy to hold a wedding ceremony beside Yamanaka-ko, but a little more difficult to get the necessary permits for Kawaguchi-ko, making this the more expensive of the two. There are actually five lakes at the foot of the mountain. Yamanaka and Kawaguchi are the most famous and easiest to get to. However, at the expense of accessibility, the other three offer just as stunning views and perhaps even more intimacy. They are Motasu, Shoji and Saiko. Elopement or Wedding? Our recommendations: if you want to elope, choose a lakeside spot, either right at the water's edge or an adjacent park. if you want a full wedding, choose a hotel or restaurant, many of which will have killer mountain views Fuji View: Summary Cost: ¥ ~ ¥¥¥ Best time of year: Spring and Autumn Number of guests: Up to 15 Privacy: No, but this depends on the exact location of the ceremony Preparation room: No - this needs to be arranged separately Catering: Yes, this can be arranged Kyo-Machiya, Kyoto Kyoto is a small city of just 1.5 million residents. Yet, in spite of this relatively small population, it managed to attract well over 55 million tourist in 2018. This number is set to continue to rise as the government pushes ahead with its goals of achieving a yearly total of 60 million tourists by 2030. That so many tourists choose to come to Kyoto is little wonder; it is stunningly beautiful. And it offers unique, romantic backdrops for wedding photos and ceremonies. However, given that it attracts so many tourists, the crowds are getting unmanageable, and it is very hard for wedding couples to find that intimate, quiet spot to say “I do”. Difficult, but not impossible! For anyone who wants to get married in the ancient Japanese capital, but who doesn’t want to contend with bing crowded out of their own photographs, Kyo-Machiya has the answer! What is a Kyo-Machiya? A Kyo-machiya is a traditional townhouse, the style and layout of which has remained pretty much the same for over 1,000 years. They have a very distinctive style and make up the backbone of the architecture in the city centre of Kyoto. Walking into one is, in my opinion, akin to waking into a shrine: you are walking into history. The construction and style of the house is unchanged since the Heian Period (794 - 1185). And for a history nerd like me that is as exciting as it gets! As you walk into a Kyo-Machiya, away from the street, and towards the heart of the house, you leave the sights and sounds of the crowded city behind and find yourself in a quiet, romantic haven. Many Kyo-Machiya have views of the river or a central garden/courtyard. Both can be the perfect location for many couples, who want a small intimate, ceremony in a traditional setting, away from the gawking eyes of strangers and passersby. Eloping in a Kyo-Machiya Hold the ceremony and have photo-shoot both inside and out, and finish the day with private dining. Any couple that gets married here will start their married life in arguably one of the most romantic settings Kyoto can offer. And the best thing about these places? Once you have had your ceremony and photo-shoot, you can spend the next night or two (or three!) there, to maximize the experience and “live like a local”! Having experienced these places on several occasions, I can attest for the lasting impression they will leave on you. I can’t wait to go back and experience it again! These architectural masterpieces are unfortunately in decline, and so it is possible that within the next several generations they will cease to exist. Because of this, many companies have sprung up in Kyoto with the sole purpose of maintaining these masterpieces of design for future generations. Getting married in one will not only provide a unique link to Japanese history, but help to preserve them for generations to come. Kyo-Machiya: Summary Cost: ¥¥¥¥ Best time of year: Anytime, but especially Spring and Autumn Number of guests: Up to 5 Privacy: Yes Preparation room: Yes Catering: Yes, this can be arranged Secret Garden, Nara Up next in our list of five best places to elope in Japan, is this lovely "secret garden" in Nara. If you take the express train from Kyoto you can be there in 45 minutes. It is a beautiful little town whose significance lies in the fact that it was the capital of Japan long before Kyoto was. However, while Kyoto gets the lion’s share of tourists and is always crowded, Nara is comparatively quiet. Though this is changing. The City It is probably second only to Kyoto as the richest collection of historical sites in Japan, and is home to some of the country’s best temples, shrines and gardens. Read more: https://www.insidekyoto.com/things-to-do-in-nara At the centre of Nara sits the Park from where you can see and access many world heritage and national treasures. While many of these sites are off limits to wedding couples, there is one, slightly-off-the-beaten-tourist-path Japanese Garden that we like to call our "secret garden!" And it is, in our opinion, perhaps the most beautiful example of a Japanese Garden you are likely to see, anywhere in the world! The Garden Because it is hidden behind a high wall, and because you have to scale a mini staircase to enter, it is almost like a secret garden. And, judging by the number of visitors in the park compared with the rest of Nara, it must be the city's best kept secret; making it undoubtedly one of the best places to get married in Japan. So don't go telling anyone!! As with most Japanese gardens, it is well maintained throughout the year, but it really comes into its own in the spring and autumn months, which is when we highly recommend getting married here. You can say your "I dos" in a gorgeous Japanese Tea House in the heart of the garden. This ensures some privacy and intimacy for you and your guest. The tea house can hold up to 40 people, though for the best experience, we recommend no more than 10 . The best thing about this venue, besides the natural and manicured beauty of the garden and the fact that it is slightly off-the-beaten-tourist-path, is that it is very cheap to hire out - less than ¥20,000 (US$185.60 as of the time of writing). This makes it very affordable to all couples, regardless of budget. Extras Because of its location, next to Nara Park, it is possible to have a photo-shoot both in the garden AND in the park, along with the deer and with many of the historical sites in frame. Furthermore, couples can hire a rickshaw for an added element of culture and romance! Secret Garden, Nara: Summary Cost: ¥¥ Best time of year: Spring and Autumn Number of guests: Up to 40, but we recommend no more than 10 Privacy: Semi - private; while the tea room will be reserved solely for the wedding party, the garden will continue to be open to the public. Preparation room: No, but staying in a nearby hotel will solve this problem Catering: No, but it will be possible to reserve some tables at nearby restaurants Hakuba Of these five best places to elope in Japan, this one is perhaps a favorite! Hakuba is in the heart of the Nagano countryside, about 4 hours from Tokyo. It is a village in the Japanese App famous for its onsen and world class is resorts, which hosted some of the 1998 Winter Olympics events. In the spring, summer and autumn months it is on the hiking trail. However, in the winter pristine powder snow turns into a winter wonderland, attracting skiers and snowboarders from around the world. Where do you have the ceremony? For lovers of the outdoors, there are several locations for ceremonies, either on the mountains or in the valleys, and they will make for awesome wedding photos! There are wedding venues capable of holding up to 120 people and even a mountain top ski resort that can be rented out for ceremonies. Imagine the photos you can take from here! For elopements and vow renewals for the couple and a few guests, during the spring, summer and autumn months it will be possible to find a mountain-top spot. So get your hiking boots on! If you love the outdoors and/or powder snow, this is surely the place for you! Hakuba: Summary Cost: ¥¥ ~ ¥¥¥¥ Best time of year: Winter, but honorable mentions to Spring and Autumn Number of guests: Up to 5 ~ 120 Privacy: Yes Preparation room: Depends on the ceremony spot Catering: Yes, this can be arranged Private House & Garden, Kawagoe And finally, in our list of five best places to get married in Japan, we turn to Kawagoe. Kawagoe is a small town in Saitama Prefecture, just 40 minutes north of Tokyo by express train. It is often referred to as “Little Edo” due to the Edo era architecture that is prevalent in the town. Because of this, it is a very popular destination for tourists. However, as with all our venues, we strive to find those places off-the-beaten-tourist-path, and we think we have done that with a private house and garden in Kawagoe. Private House and Garden The house has been in the same family for five generation, covering 150 years, and has been well maintained and cared for. The tea room overlooks a beautiful example of a Zen Garden, and can be enjoyed from a single seated position inside the house, or by wandering among the carefully placed plants, shrubs and rock formations. As historical as the Kyo-Machiya of Kyoto but quite different. The house sits in a quiet residential area and offers complete intimacy and peace from the hustle and bustle of the town. And, being a self-contained little venue, there are rooms on the second floor which can be used by the bride and groom for preparation. Ceremony One of the best things about a venue like this is that there is rain back-up. The majority of people who get married in Japan seem to opt for an outdoor ceremony, which brings with it nerves and anxiety about the weather, especially during rainy season! Therefore, to have a venue with a gorgeous rain alternative makes things a whole lot less stressful for all involved. However, assuming the weather is good, the garden is the perfect location for a ceremony. It even has a little shrine making that the most likely place to say the “I dos”. Although the garden is not as big as public gardens can be, it is still large enough to provide a great variety of photos. On top of that, the venue staff are trained in that quintessential Japanese cultural experience - the tea ceremony. It will make a great addition to the proceedings and add variety to the photographs. Extras Following the ceremony, couples can either have dinner brought in from a caterer in the town, or we can take them to a restaurant nearby. This will also be good opportunity to see and photograph the town, and experience the many tourist delights. Private House and Garden, Kawagoe: Summary Cost: ¥ ~ ¥¥ Best time of year: Spring, Summer and Autumn Number of guests: Up to 8 Privacy: Yes Catering: Yes, this can be arranged If you are interested in planning your own unique wedding, elopement or vow renewal in any of these places, or others, contact us today and let's start talking! 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All elopements are different, after all, they reflect the uniqueness of each couple. That said, one of the most commonly asked questions is “what can we expect at our elopement?” Well, this isn’t an exact science, but using some of our previous elopements as a guide, we can give you an idea of what to look forward to, on your big day. For the purposes of this article, We'll assume the ceremony has been set for 3pm. Elopement Timeline in Summary 13:00 - Ross and Ayako meet the couple at their hotel 13:10 - Ayako takes bride to the hair salon for hair and make up 13:10- Ross takes the groom to the venue, where he can get changed and prepare for the big event 13:45 - The Photographer arrives at the venue or at the Hair Salon 14:45- The bride arrives at the venue, “first-meet” photos ensue 15:00- The ceremony 15:25- Photo-shoot 17:00- Dinner 13:00 Meet the couple Perhaps the most important part of the day! We will arrange to meet, either at your hotel or a convent pick up spot. In some cases, we will drive the bride and groom to the venue. In other cases, this is the last time time the couple will see each other until just before the ceremony. Ideally, however, we will meet the bride and groom before the big day, over a drink and/or a bite to eat. While by this time we will have made a connection with our couples virtually, nothing beats a live meeting! This is all to ensure that every one feels comfortable on the big day. That way our couples simply focus on enjoying and maximizing the experience. More recently, some of our photographers are offering pre-wedding shoots in the town or park. This is another great way to beat those first time nerves and ensure everyone feels comfortable on the day itself. 13:10 Ayako takes the bride to the hair salon This is where the bride and groom usually part ways for a few hours. Ayako will accompany the bride to the hair salon for styling, make up, and to change into the wedding dress. At the same time, Ross will take the groom directly to the venue. There he can wait, get dressed and mentally prepared for a lifetime of happiness!! While there, Ross will take the groom through the procedure for the ceremony. Other than that, the groom can generally just chill, before the bride arrives. Some grooms choose to steady their nerves with a cheeky drink or two! 13:45 Photographer arrives at the venue or hair salon This is where having two photographers is handy. If the venue and preparation space are in two different locations, either Ross (usually the second photographer) or the photographer goes to the salon. One will photograph the bride in the final stages of preparation, while the other will document the progress of the groom. The groom and whichever photographer is present, will discuss and decide on possible first-meet photo locations. 14:45 Bride arrives at the venue Once the bride is finished at the hair salon, Ayako will call Ross or the Photographer (whichever one is with the groom) to let him know that they are on their way. This the cue for the groom to get in position for the first reveal. We work hard to keep the surprise and build the suspense right up to the moment of the “first-meet”. This is always a lot of fun. Everyone is excited to see and document the reactions, and we haven’t been disappointed yet. From whooping and hollering to tears of joy, the moment is always a good one. And with two photographers on hand, we are sure to get multiple angles!! This whole process takes anywhere from 10 minutes to half an hour. There is never any hurry, this is the couple’s time; we just let them savor the moment, and take in every detail. 15:00 The Ceremony This is the heart of the day. Indeed, for many of our clients, it the sole reason of the whole trip. The ceremony takes just about 15 ~ 20 minutes. It will be in English, though if you choose a shrine elopement, it will be in Japanese. Read more about that here! Serendipity’s very own Ross Harrison officiates the ceremony, at no extra cost, and includes a small flavor of Japan in the proceedings. By all means, if you have a friend who would like to officiate, just let us know. During the ceremony, the couple will have a chance to recite their own vows, and inject their own brand of romance or even humor! Shortly after the ceremonial proceedings that couple will be presented with a certificate to mark the occasion, accompanied by a tasty mug of Japanese matcha - green tea, or sake!! 15:25 Photoshoot Now the photographers can have their fun, and explore every nook and cranny of the venue to show the couple and location in the best light. Depending on the venue, for example in Kyoto, we may be able to go out and include some location shots. There is never really a fixed time limit here. We like to let the photographers and couples' imaginations run wild! If you have any ideas about how you want the pictures to turn out, just let us know - all ideas welcome! 17:00 Dinner (Optional) Some couples, especially those who choose to marry in Kyoto, like to round off the day with a romantic dinner for two at a beautiful, romantic restaurant. This is where serendipity will part ways with the couple, but not before arranging to drop off any bags and belongings at their hotel. Obviously, if you choose our Kyo-Machiya plan, you can stay at the venue over night, in which case such arrangements won’t be necessary. Some of our favorite restaurants to recommend are: In Kyoto - Inayoshi or Endo In Tokyo - Ryoutei (in fact we can do the whole thing here. Read More!) To find out more, or to start planning your own special elopement, contact us today!

Preparing to travel to a far flung destination for vacation or romance is about as exciting as it gets. The days before departure are like counting down to Christmas! However, uncertainty can sometimes take the edge off the excitement and unwanted surprises can be a bit of a downer. Especially if you thought you were prepared for everything. While we can’t possibly cover everything you will need to know about your trip, based on our client interactions, these are the top 5 things to know before your Japan trip: JR Pass might not be necessary The weather varies drastically from season to season Eating out is no way near as expensive as people are led to believe Wifi is not ubiquitous Smoking IS ubiquitous – but this is changing TRAVEL The first thing on our list of 5 things to know before your Japan trip is all about travel. This can be daunting. The high-speed shinkansen (bullet train) is an engineering marvel as is the very complex network of local trains and buses. But in order to enjoy your trip, you will need to work out the travel puzzle. Many tourists and travel agents will tout the wonderful convenience of the JR Pass. But the fact is, you might not even need it! JR Pass might NOT be necessary The JR issued train pass, that enables “free” travel for tourists once in Japan is a huge attraction for anyone considering a trip out here. The fact that you can just show this to any train conductor or ticket inspector lessens the need for awkward interaction in a language and culture you are not familiar with. However, JR passes, though great, are not always necessary. The cost of a JR pass for seven days is around ¥40,000. Assuming you only want to travel between Tokyo and Kyoto – for which the average return trip is ¥25,000 – you will not get your full money’s worth from the pass. Obviously, if you make multiple trips of that kind, you will get the full benefit from having a JR pass. However, you then run the risk of not taking the time to fully experience what each destination has to offer… Before forking out for a JR Pass, check the cost of each journey you anticipate taking against the value of the pass. The following website shows the cost of Bullet Train tickets between major cities in Japan: https://global.jr-central.co.jp/en/info/fare/ Another thing you might consider is that the JR Pass can only be used on JR lines. It will be invalid on some local, private railways, such as Seibu, Tobu and the Tokyo Metro. This has been known to catch some travelers out in the past. “Suica” or “Passmo” may be a better option The best alternative to a JR Pass is a Suica card. This is a pay-as-you-go travel card, that can be topped up in any station or metro station around the country. If you are only staying in and around one or two cities, this card offers the most flexibility and convenience. You can also use them for payment in convenience stores, buses, taxis and in some shops and department stores. It can also be used on most private local lines, as well as on the Tokyo metro (subway). Where can you get them? You can get your Suica cards from any ticket machine at any JR Station. You will be required to leave a deposit of ¥500 which you can retrieve at the end of your trip when you relinquish the card. If you relinquish your card at a JR East station, you can exchange it for the value on the card. Just note, you will be charged a commission of ¥220 to do this. Your refundable amount is calculated as follows: Remaining Balance – Commission Fee (220 yen) + Deposit (500 yen) = Refundable Amount Alternatively you can keep the card for your next trip. It retains its monetary value for 10 years! For more information about the Suica Card, check out this page on JR East: https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/suica.html Suitcases on the Shinkansen The first time I ever took the shinkansen, aka the Bullet Train, I was surprised that there was no dedicated space for oversized suitcases and luggage. I am sure many first-timers to Japan will have also been surprised and perhaps inconvenienced by this. It is possible to book the last row in a carriage which have room room behind the seats big enough for suitcases. The only caveat with this is that this hinders your ability to fully recline the chair. The good news with the Bullet Train is that there is ample leg room. Economy class seats have more legroom than premium economy class in air travel. So, no worries about banging your knees on the seat in front! In fact, there is even enough room to hold your suitcase without causing too much discomfort. But if you are like me, you want to protect your freedom to fully stretch you legs out in front of you. Oversized Luggage Surcharge In April 2020, JR introduced a surcharge of ¥1000 + tax for oversize luggage. This charge can be waived if you reserve seats with an oversized baggage area – that is the seats at the back of each carriage. (Just remember what I said about being able to recline your seat!) See the following website for more details: https://global.jr-central.co.jp/en/info/oversized-baggage/ If you are unable to reserve the area for oversized baggage, don’t worry. Overhead, there is a very sturdy rack (shelf) upon which to store your baggage. It can easily take a full size suitcase, assuming you can lift it off the ground! Taxis These are ubiquitous, and can be hailed at most train stations. That said, Sods law (Murphy’s Law) works just as well in Japan as it does anywhere else; when you need one – in the rain for example – they are few and far between! For the most part however, you will not have any trouble hailing one. But, when you do, remember the following: Don’t touch the door. As part of the service culture the taxi driver will always open the door. There is a lever next to the driver’s seat. Wait until he or she opens it before trying to get in or out of the cab. Most don’t speak English, but this is changing. If you have the address of where you want to go, just show it to the driver. Japanese taxi drivers don’t have “the knowledge”. They are often reliant on satellite navigation so don’t let this surprise you. I have been in taxis that have gotten lost before… luckily the drivers were kind enough to recognize the inconvenience and offered a decent discount. Generally, it is a good idea to pay in cash. However in the cities, Suica Cards, credit cards and even some pre-paid apps are admissible. For example Japan Taxi allows you to order and pay for your cab in one fell swoop: https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/japantaxi/id481647073?l=en Outside the big cities, expect to pay by cash. ONE MORE THING Uber is not popular in Japan and is in fact more expensive than the ubiquitous Taxis – during the daytime at least. If you are a regular UBER user in your home country, while the app will work in Japan, it is useful to note that UBER’S coverage is not so wide. But, if it is your thing, go for it. Check out this post for more info: https://www.tokyonightowl.com/how-to-use-uber-in-tokyo-the-complete-guide/ WEATHER Before we get to the second item on our list of 5 things to know before your Japan trip, here is a quick question: did you know, Japan has four seasons?! I know, I know… this is not unique. I lost count the number of times I rolled my eyes whenever I was told this at the start of my time in Japan. Most countries have four seasons! Hell, even the UK has four seasons, even if you can’t tell the difference between them! And that is the point. The seasons in Japan, for the most part, run like clockwork. The changes are almost always on time and the differences between them are quite distinct. The weather is widely different in each. This makes it a perfect destination for outdoorsy people: skiing in winter; hiking in spring; beach in summer; camping in autumn, or whatever it is that you like to do. Climate of opposites In Tokyo and Kyoto it is bitterly cold and dry in winter, with average temperatures of 0 celsius, while in summer it is tortuously hot and humid! Don’t be surprised if the thermometer tops 40 degrees! Heat stroke in July/August until early/mid September is a real danger so it is vitally important to keep hydrated. Sports drinks such as Aquarius or Pocari Sweat will replace a lot of the lost bodily fluids, and are a staple of Japanese bags during this time. These drinks are available at all convenience stores and in the many vending machines up and down the country. In Tokyo & Kyoto, the weather starts to really cool down in late November/early December. Average daytime temperatures at this time will be around 10 – 15 degrees. In the countryside, especially in the mountains, this may be a whole month earlier, with temperatures from -7 to +7degrees celsius. If you want to see the changing leaves (momiji), the end of November/beginning of December is your best bet, in Tokyo. For earlier momiji, head north. Needless to say, Spring and Autumn are the best times for weddings and vacations. Extremes Did I say Japan has four seasons? Scratch that, there are in fact six!! The two extra “seasons” that people tend to overlook – that will and can impact your plans – are rainy season and typhoon season: Rainy season runs from mid-June to late-July. It doesn’t rain every day, but it is starting to get hot and humid at this time. Typhoon season tends to fall in mid-September until mid/late-October. Some typhoons are just heavy rain, but occasionally there will be strong winds flooding. If you are coming out during these seasons, not to worry, there are a lot of great indoor activities, which, come to think of it, is a great idea for another blog post! Watch this space! Anyway, on to the next item on our list of 5 things to know before your Japan trip… EATING OUT This is a great experience all round. The food, the service, restaurant design, decor and facilities all add up to what will surely be an amazing experience. AND as a bonus, it is not as expensive as many people are led to believe. Sure, as with all places, there are some prohibitively expensive restaurants in Japan, but for the most part, you can expect to get a great meal for two for around 50 bucks! Not only will it NOT break the bank, but you will also find a consistently high level of service, no matter the price point or type of restaurant. And, when you consider that wait staff are not competing for tips, this makes things all the more remarkable. Foodie Culture The Japanese love food! There are lots of TV shows and segments devoted to local delicacies. Celebrities make it a point to travel the country and document the type of restaurants that are out there. And they like nothing more than a small, family owned restaurant in a seemingly ramshackle building which has clearly seen better days. This is all part of the charm. AND, you can nearly always find friendly, unassuming service. So, if you see people ducking into and out of some nondescript building in some back alley, take a chance and check it out. You might just find a hidden gem! Things to consider when eating out: Shoes off – many, not all, may ask you to remove your shoes at the door, or section of the restaurant. It’s all part of the fun, and makes for a more homely feel. Your shoes will be safe – in fact, the staff will probably lay them out for you on your departure. They seem to have a knack of knowing whose shoes are whose! No tipping – One less thing to worry about! Even if the service blows you away and you want to express your gratitude, don’t even try to tip, they simply won’t accept it. Customer service – it can sometimes feel that they are going way above and beyond what you would typically expect. Some people may feel embarrassed by it, but it is nothing short of what the Japanese have come to expect, so enjoy it! ONE MORE THING Key words to learn: Nomihoudai – all you can drink Tabehoudai – all you can eat Nomitabehoudai – all you can eat and drink. A lot of places, izakayas (casual dining bars) especially, will have special all you can eat and drink menus. These are great ways to sample lots of different dishes without worrying about the bill. Most all-you-can eat/drink services last around two hours. So, once in the restaurant, be sure to ask if they have any nomi/tabe/nomitabehoudai menus! WIFI This is perhaps the most important item on our list of 5 things to know before your Japan trip! Many visitors to Japan envision a country of far advanced technological innovation in daily use. You only need to think of toilet technology; bicycle and car parking facilities and robotic greeters at the entrance to some stores to see how many people think Japan is at the cutting edge of technology. And while in many respects this is not false, Japan is still something of a novice in terms of internet connectivity. But this is slowly changing – hopefully! At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the government was practically mandating work from home, many people rushed to upgrade their home networks for better connectivity. Previously, telecommuting had not been actively encourage and so it had not been a high priority. Commuting on over-crowded trains for two hours each day is a common gripe, so this enforced change has been somewhat welcome. Some research shows an increase in productivity linked with working from home, so it is not inconceivable that more effort will be put into this in the future. Where to get FREE WIFI? Until now, the few places that provided free wifi access were bars, cafes and some hotel lounges. Now, hopefully, the next thing will be ubiquitous wifi across major cities. However, until that happens, you’ll need to hire a mobile wifi “dongle” for your trip out here. You can get these at Haneda and Narita airports. It may also be possible to get them from your point of departure. For more information check out the following link: https://en.wifi-rental-store.jp/?aid=79dbeab43d170389f21fbf0394c607ee The other alternative would be to by a pay-as-you-go sim card for your mobile device. See the following website for more information: https://www.mobal.com/japan-sim-card/?gclid=CjwKCAjwi_b3BRAGEiwAemPNU2U2p9f-_5hNMTnwA3tCj5b3nBXlX6yiIF390j4alYZrNTGb9nEs4xoC1GEQAvD_BwE ONE MORE THING Please note, that locals tend to frown upon the use of long selfie sticks, especially in crowded cities and tourists sites… so if you are thinking of taking a lot of selfies or live-streaming your trip, you might want to consider something not much longer than arm’s length. The locals will thank you, and it could avoid potentially embarrassing situations! SMOKING The final item on this list of 5 things to know before your Japan trip is all about smoking. There have been strict laws implemented throughout much of the world governing smoking but Japan was slow to catch up. However, since April 2020, partially with the Olympics in mind, smoking freedoms have changed. Now, there is a law banning indoor smoking across the nation, with penalties for offenders. Cigar bars and hotel rooms are exempt from the ban, as are a few existing restaurants run by individuals. Restaurants and cafes exempt from the ban must clearly display signs at the entrance showing that smoking is permitted. There may be designated rooms within restaurants where smoking is permitted. However, restaurant owners must fit these rooms with extractor fans that meet specific requirements and not allow eating and drinking in these rooms. Furthermore, these smoking areas will be off limits to individuals below the age of 20. Outdoor Smoking Smoking outdoors is strictly prohibited in many cities and they employ volunteers to deal with people found to be flouting the rules. There are however, designated – and often enclosed – smoking spots, designed to limit the risk of second hand smoke. You can see these areas outside most stations. Anyone found to be smoking in non-designated areas face fines of up to ¥300,000. One Last Thing Cigarettes are cheap – around 30% the price in the US. The average price (based on casual research) seems to be around ¥350 for a packet. Some places sell them for as little as ¥200 or as much as ¥400. So, if it is your thing, go ahead and stock up! What About You? These were our top 5 things to know before your Japan trip. We would love to hear your thoughts. Do you agree or disagree? Was there something we overlooked? What do you want to know before coming to Japan? Let us know and we will be sure to make a blog post just for you! 🙂 About Us We are primarily a destination elopement planning duo. However, for our couples, we also act as a kind of “concierge” service while in Japan. If you have questions about getting around Japan or what to do while you are here, please do get in touch. We will be glad to help in any way we can!

This intimate garden elopement was special! The couple, from Texas, travelled to Japan for the first time, just four days after their town hall ceremony. They wanted to commit to each other in an intimate setting, for which we chose one of the most beautiful gardens in Tokyo, hidden away in a suburban area, and well off the beaten tourist path. It was perfect! The bride had contacted us about three months previously to inquire about the possibility of an intimate garden ceremony. We were excited to be asked and were only too happy to oblige. It had to be intimate, so no guests. They just wanted to enjoy the day without the stress of deciding who to invite and who to leave off the list. The plan was to just focus on each other and enjoy the setting and experience. Ceremony Day We picked them up from their hotel and escorted them to our often used kimono vendor. At the kimono studio they selected their kimonos and with the help of the friendly staff got ready for their special intimate garden elopement. Since the couple's priority was to enjoy the experience and simply to have fun, we selected a kimono vendor who is popular with tourists. Couples can mix and match patterns and accessories. The nature of which can leave people spoilt for choice, as they experiment with different patterns and accessories. However, this couple seemed to know what they wanted and we were in and out very quickly. We were out so quickly that we were significantly ahead of schedule. Luckily Tokyo has many spots of interest to first-timers in Japan, so we took the opportunity to take photos at one of the many small, street-side shrines. Then, it was into a taxi and on to the venue for the intimate garden elopement ceremony. Being mid-winter, it was cold and, rarely for Tokyo, it was also very overcast! Thanks to this, there was almost no one at the garden, so we had free rein of the place. We were rather worried about how they would fare since it was so cold and kept asking them if they were warm enough in there kimonos. However, they were so excited, I don't think the cold registered with them. In fact, their excitement was so infectious that we soon forget about the cold, gloomy weather. The ceremony, with a strong Japanese element incorporated their own personal vows and although it lasted barely 20 minutes, it will be remembered for a lifetime. Casual Lunch Following our time in the garden, we escorted them back to the kimono vendor, stopping off for a bite to eat and a photo or two at Shinjuku's famed Memory Lane (Omoide Yokocho). It was the perfect end to a perfect intimate garden elopement. We wish the happy couple a lifetime of love and happiness; we hope to see you again soon!! What did the couple say? From TripAdvisor "This was the best part of our whole trip! Ross and Ayako feel like long lost friends! They were very professional, on time, and great people to work with! I didn’t have to stress over my big day thanks to them! Every mistake I made with scheduling and time zone differences, they were able to fix. The venue and pictures taken were beautiful. The kimono choices were abundant. If you are debating going here, don’t give it a second thought and just do it. I never dreamed my wedding would or could be so perfect. It all went so smoothly and stress free! They went above and beyond for us and I appreciate them and their business. I have and will always continue to recommend them to anyone wanting to have a ceremony or renewal in japan! Thank you Ross and Ayako for everything!"

Our aim is to find places off the beaten tourist path, to offer couples truly unique settings and experiences. This Elopement in Kyoto did just that. In fact, it has quite a story! After four months of planning, this Kyoto elopement nearly didn't happen. It was almost scuppered at the last minute by not one, but two huge typhoons! This couple, from Canada, got in touch in July, shortly after we launched the first website in April 2018. They wanted an October elopement in an outdoor setting in Kyoto, the cultural center of Japan.  And we couldn't have been more excited for them... and us! We love this city, so we’ll take any excuse to spend time there! The brief for their elopement in Kyoto was to find a beautiful garden for an intimate ceremony, with no guests. They wanted something simple yet elegant; just a venue, celebrant and photographer. With that in mind, we got searching for the best gardens in Kyoto, and there are many! However, what we found was that only one garden allowed western wedding dresses…  Since Kyoto is the cultural center, they like to keep everything culturally homogenous, so most gardens only accept kimono clad bridal parties. Nonetheless, we found a beautiful garden, scouted it out, and located several spots within the garden for the ceremony and photoshoot afterwards. On our return from our research in Kyoto, we shared the findings with the couple who liked what we proposed: a simple garden ceremony and photo-shoot followed by dinner at a romantic restaurant. They liked it. Everything was going well. Roll on September, and typhoon season… The Weather Turns The beginning of the month saw the biggest typhoon to hit Japan in over 25 years.  Kyoto got it in the neck! The Kamogawa (the river that runs through the city) nearly burst its banks; passengers at Kyoto station were nearly killed by falling glass, and the main artery (bridge) to Kansai international airport was badly damaged by a stray tanker. It was like something from Armageddon. On top of this, the garden, in which we were planning to hold the elopement ceremony, was severely damaged. Large parts of it were destroyed and closed to the public. With less than a month to go, things were not looking good. Yet, while some of the garden had been rendered unsafe, the ceremoeny spots were undamaged. We contacted the couple and relayed this info. They were quite cool about this. It would all become part of the story, they thought. They were still good to go, even if some of the photo-shooting locations were closed. The planned elopement in Kyoto was still on. Then the second typhoon hit... The whole garden was rendered unusable... We only had one option – Iiori Machiya Stay.  We had met them in August on our trip to Kyoto, seeking venues and vendors for this and other weddings.  They were really excited at the prospect of diversifying their service offering, they wanted to see how it would work out, and offered our next Kyoto couple the opportunity to use their venue.  We contacted them to see if the offer still stood – they said yes! One of our aims at Serendipity is to find places in Japan that are off the beaten track, to offer each couple a truly unique setting and experience.  The old town houses of Iiori Machiya Stay do just that! They offer a perfect, intimate setting, right in the heart of Kyoto. So, with the blessing and assistance of the wonderful people at Iiori Machiya Stay, Ayako worked her magic, to create a simple, yet unique ceremony space. Elopement Day The couple wanted to get ready at separate places, before meeting at the venue just before the ceremony. We took the bride to a local hair and make-up salon, while the groom waited at the machiya (old Japanese town house).  Looking dapper in his suit, the groom waited anxiously for the arrival of his bride, who looked stunning in her long flowing white dress.  His eyes, up on first seeing his bride, were a sight to behold – he couldn’t stop looking at her! The ceremony was a simple mix of western and eastern traditions, and was held on the balcony of the machiya overlooking the Kamogawa. It was perfect! Then, afterwards, the photographers got to work! Following the outdoor shoot, we provided them with champagne and Japanese snacks to relax, celebrate and take in the the events of the day. One week later Although the Kyoto elopement ceremony was a success, and the setting was beautiful, and the couple were blown away with it all, we we not satisfied. Their brief was for a garden wedding, so we were going to right the wrongs of mother nature!  One week later, on the Tokyo leg of their trip to Japan, we met them again, dressed them in Kimonos with help from the wonderful people at Vasara Kimono Rentals, and did a photoshoot, this time at a park in Tokyo. This park was not nearly as badly affected by the earlier typhoons. Again the weather threatened rain, but thankfully, it held! We were having so much fun, we didn’t notice the time: we were there for almost two hours! Thank you to the couple, for being so cool and easy to work with, and congratulations on taking this important step in your relationship together. We wish you both the very best as you embark on your journey as husband and wife! Remember, next time you are in Tokyo, we are going for drinks and a bite to eat, together!! If you would like to have your very own Kyoto Elopement, please email us at info@serendipity-flower.com or leave a message for us on our contact page, and we will get back to you as soon as possible!