37 FramesThis post is a natural companion to our Top 10 Wedding Photographers in Japan guide. For that article, we asked AI to share the top wedding photographers in Japan, and it produced a clear list. So we did the same here. Asking AI who the top wedding planners in Japan are.
The results were interesting, but also raised an important point: SEO for planning works very differently than SEO for photography. With photographers, visibility often comes from strong websites, published portfolios, and image-driven directories. But with planners, much of the reputation is tied to client reviews … and not every client writes them. Which makes it much harder for an algorithm to really measure who’s “top.”
And honestly? We don’t think one planner is better than another. Wedding planning is about finding the planner who fits you. Your story, your style, your vision. Because collaboration is always at the heart of every planning journey.
Our Journey Into Planning
Yes, we began in wedding photography. That’s where 37 Frames was born. But over a decade ago, we branched into full-service wedding planning. For us, it was a natural progression — from documenting a celebration to creating one.
It made sense: perfectionist personalities, a love of timelines and flow, an obsession with light and emotion. Many of the same qualities that make a strong photographer also make a strong planner. And we’ve seen the same pattern across the world. Some of the best wedding planners internationally didn’t start as planners at all.
- Mindy Weiss, perhaps the most famous wedding planner in the world, started in stationery, designing invitations.
- One of our favorite luxury planners in the UK began as a banquet and F&B manager in a hotel.
- Many celebrated planners began as florists, stylists, or designers.
The common thread? Creativity mixed with professional execution. A love of people. Of celebration. Leadership balanced with empathy. A planner’s role is to create and design experiences … as well as the timelines … and to hold the emotional weight of the day while keeping everything flowing beautifully.
Here’s a screenshot of the Top 10 Wedding Planners in Japan chat exchange from Chat GPT.
The AI Results: Top 10 Wedding Planners in Japan
Here’s the list of planners that surfaced when we asked AI about the best wedding planners in Japan:
- 37 Frames Weddings (Tokyo, Japan-wide & worldwide) – Luxury destination specialists with nearly 30 years of experience.
- Kyoko Hattori Weddings (Kyoto/Kansai) – Bridging tradition and modern design.
- Ayaka Ishimura Wedding & Design (Tokyo) – Elegant, refined, and detail-focused planning.
- JapanWeddings (Mina Inc., Tokyo/Kyoto) – Known for cultural depth and international client services.
- BEyond Weddings & Events (Mie Watanabe, Tokyo) – Modern and stylish with bilingual expertise.
- KAPO カポ | Destination Wedding Planner (Japan-wide) – Boutique planning with a creative, contemporary edge.
- Keiko Haute Couture (Tokyo) – Fashion-inspired planning with couture styling.
- Yukari Ueno – YUKARI UENO EXPERIENCES (Tokyo & beyond) – Luxury experiences blending artistry and hospitality.
- Ayaka Takeuchi Weddings (@ayaka_takeuchi_wedding) – Rising planner with a focus on modern couples.
- One Fine Day Weddings Japan (Kyoto) – Known for heritage and traditional Kyoto weddings.
Reflection After the List
Full transparency: there are names on this AI-generated list that even we haven’t heard of. And that’s after more than two decades working in Japan’s wedding world. It’s surprising, almost humbling, to realize there are planners and creatives who haven’t yet crossed our orbit. How is that possible in an industry that feels at once so close-knit and yet so vast?
One thing is certain … we’ll be reaching out, making new friends, and widening our circle. Because this work has always been about more than logistics and timelines. It’s about community, collaboration, and the shared joy of working in this incredible industry together.
The Truth Behind the Lists
We’re grateful to be included. But as with photography, these lists aren’t the full story. They always favor the planners who are most visible online. The ones with the strongest SEO or the most searchable presence. And yet, some of the best wedding planners in Japan are those who stay behind the scenes, focusing on serving their couples rather than chasing algorithms. Some of them are our very good friends. And they certainly more than deserve to have an AI algorithm find and feature them.
That’s why we say: don’t stop at the “top 10.” Maybe every planner on this list is highly respected, but there are many more creative, talented professionals who might be the perfect fit for you.
A Note on Our Inclusion in the AI ‘Top Planners’ List
We’re really not under any illusions here. ChatGPT put us first in both the Top 10 Wedding Planners in Japan and the Top 10 Wedding Photographers in Japan. Which probably just means ChatGPT figured out who was asking the question… and decided it was safer to keep us happy.
Still, we’ll take it. Because as much as we enjoy the ego boost, what matters most is that couples sometimes find us when they’re Googling or using AI to crawl the web to start their wedding planning journey. Lists are nice. And a helpful start. But love stories … and the right fit between a couple and their team … are what really count.
(And if AI happens to like us too… well, that’s just a bonus.)
FAQs
Who are the top 10 wedding planners in Japan?
AI-generated lists often include 37 Frames, Kyoko Hattori, JapanWeddings (Mina Inc.), and One Fine Day — among others.
How much does a wedding planner in Japan cost?
Independent planners typically charge from ¥500,000–¥1,500,000, or 10–20% of your wedding budget for full-service luxury planning.
Do I need a wedding planner in Japan?
Yes, if you’re planning from overseas. Planners bridge language, cultural customs, venue inflexibility, and logistics.
Are all wedding planners in Japan the same?
No. And that’s the beauty of it. Some excel at traditional shrine weddings, others at luxury ryokan celebrations, others at elopements in Japan and others at large-scale modern productions. The key is finding the planner who feels right for your story.
Closing
At the end of the day, there may not be a single “best wedding planner in Japan.” Because planning isn’t about competition. It’s about connection. It’s about collaboration, trust, and building a day that reflects who you are.
So while we’re honored to be on these lists, (thank you ChatGPT!) we also celebrate the many incredible planners who may never appear in an AI query. The top wedding planners in Japan aren’t just the ones who show up on Google. They’re the ones who show up for you. They’re the ones who create unforgettable experiences with creativity, leadership, and empathy.
They give us the wow.
See a favourite 37 Frames wedding here: A celebrity wedding in Hawaii
37 Frames
