A Half-Day Wedding in Japan: Hakone Shrine and Mount Fuji Views

Travelers visit Japan for all sorts of reasons: to enjoy the food, immerse themselves in the country’s rich culture, and take in its beautiful scenery. For some, it even becomes the place where they choose to tie the knot.

If you’ve been following my work for a while, you’ll know that I usually cover proposals. This time, it was one step further as I captured a wedding, specifically a ring and vow exchange between Ashley and Joseph.

The couple planned to elope in Japan, with the intention of including Mount Fuji and local shrines in their photos. Weeks before their big day, I hopped on a call with them, just like I do with all my clients, to understand their preferences and share my recommendations.

They shared their plan to do the ring exchange under a cherry blossom garden in Hakone, while taking their cover photos at the hotel.

We also made sure that all necessary permits and paperwork were secured ahead of time so everything would go smoothly on the day itself.

We scheduled their first look at 6:00 AM at the hotel, and everything was set.

It was a quiet and intimate moment between the two of them, a simple start to a day centered on their love.

After that, we headed to Hakone Shrine before 7:00 AM. Instead of a full video, they opted for a 30-second highlight reel. This was where they exchanged their vows, and of course, we made sure to capture every moment.

After they officially tied the knot, we made our way to Mount Fuji for more photos. The drive took about an hour and a half, but it was well worth it.

We were able to capture more moments around the area, and even catch cherry blossoms in bloom!

Their wedding was simple and intimate, just the two of them. It was a moment they chose to keep for themselves, with photos and videos to look back on.

I was grateful to be part of it, and they shared how much they enjoyed the experience, describing it as calm, memorable, and meaningful. I will forever feel lucky to work with couples who trust me with moments like this.

If you’d like to capture your own, feel free to explore my packages below and start planning something special.