Welcome to TOKYO BEAT – a special series by your trusty Tokyo Tourism Representative (New York Office) that aims to provide story ideas and inspiration for you. This week, we’re focusing on how visitors from abroad can have a Japanese-style wedding in Tokyo. Among Japanese locals, Western style weddings now dominate; but historical Shinto shrines and high-end hotels in Tokyo present an opportunity to get married in true Japanese fashion, no matter your denomination. Looking for an immersive, once-in-a-lifetime wedding in one of the most exciting destinations in the world is something no one should pass up.
“Shinzen” – Divine Weddings Shinzen means ‘in front of god’. But unlike the Western idea of God, the Shinto religion basically refers to deities. Couples can tie the knot in a ceremony led by a Shinto priest, who essentially walks couples through a traditional purification ritual and announces to the kami (gods, in Japanese) of the marriage. From wearing traditional silk kimono to walking in a procession (in image made famous in the film Lost in Translation), and drinking cups of blessed sake as part of the purification, it’s a unique and romantic experience.
Tokyo is brimming with English-friendly shrines, one of which is the sprawling and iconic Meiji Jingu (a destination onto itself). But there are also many smaller shrines that offer settings that suit a variety of tastes, from the cozy and intimate Atago Shrine to the verdant Yoyogi Hachimangu Shrine, as well as the historic Fukutoku Shrine that dates back to the Edo period. After the ceremony, the wedding party usually moves onto a hotel or banquet hall to continue the festivities.
That Japanese Look Tokyo is a world-class city that offers turnkey solutions for everything – no matter how high your standards may be. So for those who like the idea of a Japanese style wedding, but are more comfortable with contemporary planning, luxury hotels have the means to pull off elaborate Japanese styled ceremonies without the fuss. While not necessarily ‘authentic’ Shinzen, they resemble the real thing, and hit all the marks – kimono, sake, and even settings (some through partnerships with shrines).
A venue like the beautifully appointed Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo, Tokyo’s first high-rise hotel, is a perfect place for such a wedding. For even more historical settings, a place like Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, located on a sprawling historical garden, may feel more immersive. But then again, for certain people, a destination wedding may feel challenging already, and thus everything else needs to be familiar. Ultra-modern, luxurious hotels like the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel in Shibuya presents all of the amenities one could ask for – the cherry on top for nuptial bliss.For more information regarding how to get ‘Tokyo Weddings, Japanese Style’, contact press@tokyo-nyc.com or call 917-200-4887. For general information on traveling in Tokyo, head to TokyoTokyo.jp and gotokyo.org/en/
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