37 FramesThis stunning elopement at Sasayuri-Ann just outside of Kyoto was the experience of a lifetime. With beautiful views of Mount Mura and Mount Takami, there were magical moments at every turn.
And isn’t that what elopements are all about? Experiences shared. Life journeys started. And being totally immersed in each other as you embrace the future through promises, vows and shared memory making. This intimate luxury elopement in Nara prefecture provided all this and more.
Like the best elopement experiences, it also provided a chance to go far beyond the ordinary wedding customs, and give that rare opportunity to understand and embrace the absolute best of Japan’s inspiring traditional philosophies and magic.
In other words, it was the perfect elopement in Japan. Read on for the full story…
see the wedding video at the end of this blog post
Sasayuri-Ann
Arriving by helicopter from Kyoto, Amina and Philip started their elopement adventure the evening before the big day. Located in the Kii region, they flew over the incredible rainforests, small farms, and profound landscapes before landing at a small clearing near their Rice Terrace Villas. Nara is the landlocked area of Kii where Sasayuri-Ann stands, is historically renowned as a pilgrimage site.
All there to welcome them to Sasayuri-Ann, and hosted by the incredible Matsubayashi Family, we explored the impeccable gardens and enjoyed sunset as preparations began for a Japanese private dinner worthy of a Michelin-star. There were take-your-breath away moments at every turn.
Rice Terrace Villas
The villa, beside rice fields and nearby temples, and with incredible views of the National Park in the foreground, is such a poetic journey. When planning this elopement we wanted to make sure to include the most enchanting traditions of Japan, as well as making sure Amina & Philip’s own vision was created as well. Being half American and half Japanese meant the entwining of both cultures was so incredibly important.
And if there’s one absolute manifesto that 37 Frames adheres to without question, is that every elopement or wedding planned, is a journey. The journey of the couple. They journey of the place they’ve chosen to marry in. Putting them on the path for their life together.
Secret locations in Japan for an Elopement
Amina and Philip first came to us after their destination wedding in Italy had to change due to covid. They wanted something private, luxury, and somewhere that had never been done before. It was important that they have the freedom to celebrate their own way, with their own customs, all while incorporating the beauty of Japan. Their home right now.
The planning team was straight onto it and after an exhaustive search, a dear friend who owns Tokyo Personalized, a luxury travel company finally said, “I think I have just the place for you”. And she was right.
After many, many emails and some trips to Nara to meet in person, we felt like it was all going to be the perfect location for this romantic couple. Epic. Spiritual. And full of beauty everywhere the eye wandered.
Everyone asks for secret or private locations to elope in Japan. And we felt like we’d found the perfect place for them. Sasayuri-Ann lived up to expectations. And went beyond. It had been there waiting for them.
A Wedding morning in Nara
Sasayuri-Ann says that one of its goals is to take the essence of Japan and utilize the forces of nature, mountains, waterfalls, rice paddies, to put us in touch with our souls. On the morning of their wedding, this beautiful couple woke up in the Ozunu Villa nestled next to a forest to the sound of singing birds. A sunrise view of rice paddies, and the incredible zen garden. There was a lyrical feeling to the morning as they embarked for their sunrise waterfall blessing at the mystical Akame 48 Falls.
This incredible place, the Forty-eight Waterfalls of Akame is a holy place for Shugendo Mountain Buddhist Priests and it’s also the birthplace of Ninja. Also a place where the samurai trained. The power and energy felt at these waterfalls can’t be ignored. It truly is one of the most magical places we’ve seen in Japan.
Read on for more of this incredible elopement in Nara
Akame 48 Falls Wedding Blessing
Matsubayashi-san is also actually a monk, and practices Shugendo-Yamabushi techniques which made him the perfect person to lead the beautifully intimate waterfall blessing. With UNESCO World Heritage Mount Koya, the center of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, it was a private and powerful morning. It was here through nature that they started their wedding day. It was here, on this morning, that the richness of Japan became even more unforgettable. And the powers of nature blessed these two beautiful souls to start their journey together.
Such an untouched part of Japan. It’s completely off the tourist track. And the perfect place to elope & find Mindfulness.
Private Villa Wedding in Japan
After the waterfall blessing it was back to Ozunu, home of wellness and energy to start getting ready for their wedding day. Amina upstairs and Philip downstairs. Both with a beautiful view of the stunning zen garden (& champagne or local craft beers in hand!). Early December, so probably classified as a winter elopement, although the weather was so warm it definitely felt more like late fall. So warm in the sun.
And then there they were. Looking like they’d just stepped off the pages of Harpers Bazaar.
Sasayuri, a Japanese Lilly
The exquisitely fragrant sasayuri, the native Japanese lily, flourished in the countryside throughout Japan. Until environmental change led to these stunning lilies now being a rarity.
The beautiful natural sight of blooming sasayuri flowers, we once took for granted, has been lost. But Sasayuri-ann is named in their honor. Those rare and beautiful icons.
So it was only natural that Amina’s bouquet gave a nod to this history. A beautiful modern lilly bouquet to complete the wedding attire. Truly spectacular on every level.
Elopement Ceremony at a Beautiful Private Villa
With traditional Japanese musicians creating the perfect atmosphere, they had an emotional first look. The local artisans and masters the perfect backdrop to this intimate moment.
And then it was straight into the ceremony. The musicians on koto and traditional bamboo flute playing during Amina’s stunning processional. Down the cobbled path past the zen garden to a waiting Philip.
Hundreds of friends and family zoomed in from around the world. And there were tears from everyone. Including all of us.
Teahouse Toast
It was a champagne toast (in traditional Japanese tea cups!!) at the quaint little teahouse in the garden. The sun creating beautiful shadows and giving the entire landscape an incredible glow.
The entire garden is epic. The view from everywhere overwhelming. The garden seeming so much more expansive than it actually is. All because of ‘shakkei’.
Shakkei – The Art of Borrowed Landacape
The breathtaking garden was designed with the concept of ‘shakkei‘. The literal meaning of shakkei is ‘borrowed scenery’ or ‘borrowed landscape.’ This is a technique where distant views are incorporated into the garden setting and become part of the design.
When the designer captures this landscape they make it part of the design, and it remains alive. Shakkei is an ancient concept that was used in Japan long before anyone gave it a name. Bringing distant landscapes into gardens, for example, was practiced in Japanese gardens as early as the Heian period (794-1185 A.D.).
The Ozunu garden looking almost like a painting. And in the mornings, those incredible mountains often covered by a sea of clouds. It’s one of those once in a lifetime things. And changes every moment.
Boutique Lunch Platter
With a view of those incredible mountains, overlooking the garden, it was time for a light lunch. A boutique platter, a picnic for 2, to tide them over until their upcoming wedding night dinner.
And followed by a first dance in the late afternoon sun. Amongst the iconic pine trees and rock garden.
Helicopter Departure
And just like that, the day was done. Kyoto beckons to start their honeymoon at Hoshinoya in Arashiyama. The helicopter was back at the natural clearing nearby and it was time to leave their stunning wedding ceremony location. Time to finish their beautiful elopement in Nara. Now though, a piece of their history. A part of them.
There were no goodbyes to Ozunu. Just many ‘see you soons’!
Off they flew. Into the sunset. Back over the forests and rice fields & the last lingering colors of Autumn. Over villages and untouched Japan. Back to real life, leaving this incredible place untouched by time.
Kyoto Higashiyama
A couple of days later we met them in Kyoto. Time to relive their elopement experience. Talk through the memories and delights. A quick photo shoot through Kyoto to finish the story and now clients feeling like dear friends.
It truly was an incredible wedding experience on every level. Take us all back…
Incredible Japanese Elopement Location near Kyoto
If you’re looking for an incredible Japanese elopement, we know the place. The perfect private garden wedding in Nara. So close to Kyoto. It has everything & more. The quintessential Japanese wedding experience. A chance to travel through time and experience Japan’s mystical spirituality and power. With the most beautiful & heartfelt hospitality and authentic omotenashi.
Get Married in Japan
Truly a chance to experience what the Japanese call aun no kokyu, breathing in harmony. An incredible place to get married in Japan. We’re in love.
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Thanks for scrolling though this beautiful Elopement in Nara. We have a little peek at their wedding video. So them. And showing just a fraction of their perfect day. ***the traditional Japanese music at the beginning of this video is actually from the live musicians on the day! Sooooo beautiful!!
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