A Winter Proposal at Mount Fuji’s Swan Lake

Swans are known to mate for life, symbolizing romantic devotion and lifelong partnership, making them a meaningful choice for a proposal. Because they move freely between lakes, spotting them is always a bit of a gamble. While they occasionally appear in Kawaguchiko, they are most often found in Yamanakako.

Lake Yamanakako is considered the primary, year-round home of the swan population in the Fuji Five Lakes area, earning it the nickname “Swan Lake.” While swans may visit nearby lakes, Yamanakako remains their main habitat, where they are permanent residents and can even be seen with cygnets in early May. It is also the largest of the Fuji Five Lakes and the closest to Mount Fuji.

Hui Xiang knew he wanted to propose to Eevon with Mount Fuji as their backdrop, while keeping the entire photoshoot a complete surprise. We coordinated early on to carefully plan the logistics, and I suggested an early morning shoot around 7:00 AM to take advantage of the soft light and quieter surroundings. To help him picture how everything would come together, I also shared galleries I had previously shot at the location.

On the day of the proposal, I arrived at 6:25 AM to scout the area and make sure everything was in place. The moment unfolded along the Yamanakako Boardwalk, where I was able to capture their proposal through both photo and video. No crowds, no interruptions, just the two of them in the moment. After giving them time to soak it all in, I gently introduced myself and walked them through what would happen next.

January in Japan can be extremely cold, and that morning dropped to -15°C, so we made sure to take short breaks to warm up. We were incredibly lucky to spot swans and witness a perfect reflection of Mount Fuji on the lake, which added an extra layer of romance to the shoot.

Seeing the swans during the proposal felt like a gift from the universe, almost as if nature itself was blessing their union. I was truly honored to be part of this moment. We started the year strong and I’m looking forward to capturing more love stories in 2026.

If you’d like me to capture your story, don’t hesitate to reach out. From our first conversation to final delivery, my focus is on creating a smooth, enjoyable experience, so you can feel present, comfortable, and fully immersed in every moment.