37 FramesDon’t worry. We’re here to help you get it spectacularly right.
We adore our couples. Truly.
The dreamers. The travelers. The romantics who see Japan not as a backdrop, but as a story waiting to unfold.
But Japan is… different. Beautifully, gloriously, wonderfully different.
And if you’re planning a destination wedding here, there are a few things you might think you know … that Japan will gently, but firmly, correct.
So before you book that temple or order those cherry blossom invites, let’s save you a few headaches (and help you elevate your vision).
Here are the 10 things couples always get wrong when planning a wedding in Japan … and how to get them beautifully right.
1. “We’ll just find a venue online.”
You won’t. Not really.
Japan’s most extraordinary venues … the private gardens, heritage ryokans, and mountain retreats … aren’t listed on Google. Many don’t even have websites in English.
Why? Because exclusivity and privacy are part of their charm.
The fix: Work with a planner who knows the local scene, has direct connections, and speaks the language. The best venues in Japan are discovered through relationships, not search engines.
2. “We’ll get married on a Taian weekend!”
Ah yes… the most auspicious day on the rokuyō calendar.
And also the day every couple in Japan wants.
Taian dates are wonderful for symbolism, but they come with crowds, higher rates, and limited availability.
The fix: Choose a weekday Taian (peaceful and meaningful), or embrace your own symbolism. After all, love isn’t dictated by a calendar — it creates its own luck.
3. “We’ll plan everything in a few months.”
We admire your optimism. We really do.
But Japan operates on precision, process, and respect for time.
Venue contracts, cultural permissions, and seasonal considerations require care … and sometimes, lots of patience.
The fix: Start at least 12 months ahead, especially if you want a cherry blossom or autumn foliage date. Japan rewards those who plan early.
4. “It rains… but we’ll be fine.”
You will be fine … because rain here isn’t bad luck.
But you need to plan for it intentionally.
Japan’s weather is dramatic … cherry blossoms one week, typhoons the next.
The fix: Always have a beautiful backup plan. Covered pavilions, glasshouses, and ryokans with open-air courtyards are stunning alternatives. And if it rains? You’ll get some of the most breathtaking wedding photos imaginable.
5. “Japan’s a budget-friendly destination, right?”
No. Japan is many things … but cheap isn’t one of them.
What Japan offers is value: unparalleled service, meticulous detail, and art-level quality.
The craft that goes into one flower arrangement here could humble an entire wedding elsewhere.
The fix: Budget realistically. Luxury here is quiet … but it’s everywhere. Invest in what truly matters: photography, planning, cuisine, and experience.
6. “We’ll bring our own vendors.”
Some venues in Japan allow this. Most do not.
Cultural contracts and exclusivity policies often require couples to use in-house or approved vendors … a system that ensures harmony and quality, but can surprise international clients.
The fix: Choose your venue after you’ve talked to your planner. We’ll guide you to properties with flexible policies, or help negotiate hybrid arrangements where possible.
7. “The ceremony will be quick and simple.”
A Japanese wedding … even for foreigners … is full of nuance.
Whether it’s a san-san-kudo sake ceremony, a shrine blessing, or a garden ritual, the pace is slow, deliberate, sacred.
The fix: Lean into it.
Don’t rush the rituals. They’re part of what makes your Japan wedding so meaningful … and unforgettable.
8. “We’ll choose a date during Golden Week!”
Please don’t.
Golden Week (late April–early May) and Silver Week (mid-September) are national holidays. Hotels are full, flights are expensive, and the entire country is on the move.
The fix: Choose dates just before or after these weeks for perfect weather and availability … with half the chaos.
9. “We’ll take our wedding photos in Arashiyama.”
Sure. If you want 10,000 tourists in the background.
Arashiyama’s bamboo grove in Kyoto is iconic … but it’s also one of the busiest spots in the country.
The fix: 37 Frames couples get access to a private bamboo forest in Tochigi, a working bamboo farm that feels like something from a dream. No crowds. No noise. Just nature, light, and stillness.
10. “We’ll figure out the timeline ourselves.”
Japan runs on precision … but it’s not about rigidity. It’s about flow.
From shrine openings to sunset timings, trains to tatami setups, everything has a rhythm.
The fix: Let your planner guide the timeline. We’ll design it like a story … not a schedule … balancing logistics with meaning, so every moment feels intentional.
Final Thought:
Japan isn’t a place where you can just copy-paste your wedding vision.
It’s a place that invites you to elevate it.
Because here, love isn’t just celebrated.
It’s honored.
And when you get it right … when you align with the rhythm of this country … it’s unlike anything else in the world.
📋 Planning | 📸 Photography | 🎥 Film by @37frames
37 Frames
