37 FramesA Wedding at Hakone Retreat Surrounded by Nature and Meaning
Hakone has always felt like a place where stories settle. Mist curling over cedar forests, onsen steam rising from the mountains, a landscape that feels ancient and alive all at once. It’s no wonder that more couples are choosing Hakone, Japan as their destination wedding location, drawn by its serene energy and timeless romance.
For this beautiful couple, Hakone was the perfect setting. Private, soulful, surrounded by nature … and it didn’t matter one bit that it rained.
Because when you choose Hakone for your wedding, you’re not chasing perfect weather. You’re chasing atmosphere.
Rain, Light, and an Outdoor Ceremony That Felt Like Poetry
It’s been raining a lot in Japan this year. A season of so much unpredictability. We were watching the weather forecast for weeks before the wedding (we always do!) and everything looked fine. But then it changed. Suddenly. We all woke up to rain. But it was the morning of their Hakone destination wedding… and this fabulous couple decided they weren’t waiting for the rain to stop. They wanted to experience it.
So, surrounded by guests from all over the world … they stepped into the open air and said their vows as droplets danced off umbrellas all around them.
No hesitation. Just laughter. Joy. That unmistakable mix of chaos and calm that only rain brings.
It was ethereal. Cleansing. Definitely cinematic. The kind of wedding that reminds us that perfection is never the goal. Presence is.
Rain has a way of dissolving barriers … between people, between expectations, between worlds.
It connects. It unites. And that’s exactly what it did here.
A Ceremony of Culture and Connection | San San Kudo in the Rain
In the midst of the ceremony, the couple performed San San Kudo … the traditional Japanese three-three-nine-times sake ritual symbolizing the union of two families.
It was beautiful. The sound of rain against the cups. The soft steam of sake rising in the cool mountain air.
Each sip felt intentional. A reminder of respect, harmony, and connection across cultures.
These quiet Japanese wedding traditions … whether at a Shinto shrine, a ryokan, or a natural retreat … always hold space for reflection.
And at Hakone Retreat, surrounded by the stillness of nature, it felt even more profound.
Calligraphy, Creativity, and a Celebration of Art
After the ceremony, guests gathered for a surprise: a live calligraphy performance by a famous Japanese artist… Youna Matsushita.
Ink, water, movement … all merging in rhythm, like a visual continuation of the vows that had just been spoken.
Each guest received a custom calligraphy artwork … their names written with intention and grace.
A tangible piece of Japan to take home.
This is what we love most about weddings in Hakone … the fusion of global celebration and deep Japanese artistry. Every moment becomes a sensory experience.
A Night of Toasts, Music, and Rain-Soaked Joy
As twilight settled, the celebration continued in true destination wedding fashion … with heartfelt speeches, impromptu songs, and the clinking of champagne glasses echoing against the rain outside.
Inside, the warmth was palpable. Guests from every corner of the world gathered under one roof, celebrating not only the couple, but the moment itself.
That’s the power of a Hakone wedding. It slows time down. It reminds you to feel.
The Magic of a Rainy Hakone Wedding
There’s something poetic about the way rain transforms a wedding day in Japan. The world softens. The air hums. The forest glows.
And when a couple chooses to lean into it … rather than run from it … something remarkable happens. The day stops being about control. It becomes about connection.
This wedding at Hakone Retreat wasn’t just beautiful because of the setting.
It was beautiful because of the spirit.
Every guest soaked through and smiling. Every drop of rain reflecting a little more light. Every moment pure and unrepeatable.
Here are some highlights of the full wedding:
Why Hakone Is One of Japan’s Best Wedding Destinations
Hakone is where tradition meets tranquility. Just 90 minutes from Tokyo, it offers luxury resorts, world-class cuisine, iconic views of Mount Fuji, and an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Japan.
It’s ideal for destination weddings, elopements, and intimate celebrations because it feels private. A true escape.
There are hidden ryokans, modern retreats, and onsen villas that transform into unforgettable wedding venues.
And even when it rains … perhaps especially when it rains … Hakone delivers the kind of emotion and depth that can’t be planned.
Plan Your Hakone Wedding with 37 Frames
As one of Japan’s most experienced destination wedding planning teams, we’ve designed, produced, and photographed celebrations across the country … but Hakone will always hold a special place in our hearts.
We work closely with the region’s best venues, including Hakone Retreat, to craft experiences that blend luxury, artistry, and Japanese hospitality.
So whether you’re dreaming of a private outdoor ceremony, a modern ryokan reception, or a multi-day wedding immersed in nature … we’ll help you bring it to life.
Rain or shine. Always beautifully yours.
📍 Featured Venue:
Hakone Retreat
Location: Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Ceremony Type: Outdoor wedding in Japan
Reception Style: Calligraphy performance, fine dining, international guests
Inspiration for Couples Searching for Hakone Weddings
- Luxury destination wedding in Hakone, Japan
- Outdoor Hakone Retreat wedding ceremony
- Japanese wedding traditions: San San Kudo & calligraphy
- Planning a rainy-day wedding in Japan
- Best destination wedding venues near Mount Fuji
- Modern Japanese wedding with cultural elements
- 37 Frames | Wedding Planning & Photography in Japan
37 Frames
