37 FramesBecause timing is everything. Especially here.
In Japan, time has its own rhythm.
It moves differently. Softly, seasonally, with quiet reverence for balance and beauty.
So when you’re planning a destination wedding in Japan, the date you choose isn’t just a number on the calendar. It’s a decision layered in culture, weather, light, and symbolism.
At 37 Frames, we’ve helped couples from all over the world find their perfect day … from autumn maple forests in Kyoto to seaside villas in Okinawa, to snowy mountaintop vows in Hakuba. Every love story deserves its own timing.
Here’s how to find yours.
1. Understand Japan’s Seasonal Rhythm
Japan is a country of four distinct, cinematic seasons … and they completely transform your wedding experience.
Spring (March-May)
Cherry blossom season – the most iconic (and most popular). Expect beauty, crowds, and limited venue availability, especially in Kyoto and Tokyo.
- 🌸 Best for: Romantic garden weddings, elopements under cherry blossoms, soft light and pastel palettes.
- 💡 Planner’s tip: Early spring (March) can be unpredictable, while mid-to-late April often brings perfect weather.
Summer (June-August)
A season of lush greens, matsuri festivals, and fireworks. Also: intense heat and humidity and typhoon risks, especially in late summer.
- ☀️ Best for: Mountain weddings where it might be a little cooler, indoor air-conditioned restaurants and receptions in Tokyo, vibrant florals and sunsets.
- 💡 Planner’s tip: June is Japan’s rainy season. Clear umbrellas are the go. They look incredible in photos.
Autumn (September-November)
Golden light, fiery maples, and comfortable temperatures. This is our personal favorite. Cinematic, rich, timeless.
- 🍁 Best for: Forest ceremonies in Nara, garden weddings in Kyoto, Hakuba elopements.
- 💡 Planner’s tip: Peak foliage in Kyoto hits late November. Book venues a year ahead.
Winter (December–February)
Quiet, crisp, and beautiful in its stillness.
- ❄️ Best for: Snowy mountain weddings in Hokkaido, Hakuba or Nozawa, cozy ryokan celebrations, city elopements with twinkle lights.
- 💡 Planner’s tip: Winter brings availability and intimacy. Perfect for couples seeking privacy and atmosphere.
2. Weekday vs. Weekend Weddings
This one surprises many couples: weekday weddings in Japan are the secret to serenity.
Japanese venues, hotels, and shrines book local weddings months (sometimes years) in advance. Primarily for weekends. Choosing a weekday can unlock:
- Access to highly sought-after venues
- Lower rates for accommodation and vendors
- A calmer, more intimate experience for you and your guests
At 37 Frames, we adore weekday weddings. The light feels softer, the streets quieter, and you’ll feel like Japan belongs entirely to you.
Planner’s tip: If you’re flying guests internationally, a Thursday or Friday celebration gives them a full long weekend to explore Japan.
3. The Secret Language of Taian Dates
In Japan, wedding dates are often chosen based on the rokuyō calendar. Six traditional fortune days that influence events and celebrations.
The most auspicious of all? Taian (大安) — “Great Peace.”
Taian is believed to bring luck, harmony, and success in marriage.
But here’s the catch: every couple in Japan knows this.
Venues book out immediately. Vendors raise prices. Shrines are packed.
So while a Taian date is undeniably symbolic, the real magic lies in how it feels to you.
We’ve planned unforgettable weddings on less “lucky” days … where love, not the calendar, dictated the fortune.
Planner’s tip: If you want to blend tradition with practicality, choose a weekday Taian … auspicious and sometimes more available.
The “Taian” (大安) days in 2026 are the luckiest days in the Rokuyō (六曜) calendar and occur on the following dates: January 1, February 7, March 4, April 1, May 29, June 26, July 24, August 21, September 17, October 15, November 13, and December 11.
- January: 1st
- February: 7th
- March: 4th
- April: 1st
- May: 29th
- June: 26th
- July: 24th
- August: 21st
- September: 17th
- October: 15th
- November: 13th
- December: 11th
4. What to Know About Golden Week and Silver Week
Japan has two major national holiday clusters every year that affect travel, accommodation, and venue logistics.
Golden Week (Late April-Early May):
A string of national holidays when almost all of Japan travels.
Airports, trains, and hotels overflow. Prices skyrocket.
Silver Week (Mid-September):
A smaller holiday cluster, but still impacts travel and accommodation.
If your wedding date falls within either period, plan early … really early … and expect your guests’ flights and hotels to be booked months in advance.
Planner’s tip: These weeks are best avoided unless you’re planning a private or local celebration far from major cities.
5. Typhoon Season: The Beauty in the Unpredictable
Typhoon season usually spans late August to early October, especially affecting Okinawa, Kyushu, and coastal areas.
We won’t sugarcoat it. It’s unpredictable. But we’ve also photographed some of the most breathtaking, emotional ceremonies in this season.
Because in Japan, rain isn’t bad luck.
It’s cleansing. Renewing.
And those post-storm skies? Unreal.
Planner’s tip: Always have a backup indoor or covered plan. Ryokans, shrines, and pavilions are perfect for this. Honestly, just don’t plan an outdoor wedding in Japan without an indoor option.
6. Align with Nature and Intention
Choosing a wedding date in Japan isn’t just logistics. It’s philosophy.
This is a country where seasons are poetry and timing is art.
So when you choose your date, ask:
- What season feels like us?
- What landscapes mirror our story?
- What light feels like home?
Because when everything aligns … the date, the season, the emotion … the result is harmony.
And harmony, in Japan, is the essence of beauty.
Final Thought: There’s No Wrong Day to Say “I Do”
Whether it’s a quiet Tuesday under the bamboo in Tochigi, a Saturday sunset over crowded Kyoto rooftops, or a snowy Thursday at a Hokkaido lodge … every day in Japan holds its own kind of magic.
What matters most isn’t Taian, or timing, or typhoons.
It’s how the day feels.
That’s the date you’re meant to choose.
37 Frames
