A Winter Wonderland Proposal in Sapporo, Hokkaido

Winter season in Japan is truly beautiful. It feels like a white wonderland, and the engagement photos of Sylwia and Maika looked like they were taken straight out of a movie.

However, do not be fooled. While pristine white landscapes look breathtaking in photos, shooting in heavy snowfall can be challenging. Thankfully, this was not a problem because we carefully planned everything in advance.

Maika, who has Japanese roots, wanted to propose to her girlfriend in Japan as a meaningful and personal gesture. We arranged everything through a call a week before the event, as I was unable to be there on the actual day. Instead, my associate Tah Kitti facilitated the two hour photoshoot.

Before the couple arrived in Hokkaido, Tah Kitti and I secured the necessary permits for the parks where they planned to shoot, making sure everything would go smoothly.

The first location was Moerenuma Park, a space designed by sculptor Isamu Noguchi as a complete work of art in itself. Often referred to as a “landscape sculpture,” the park was the perfect setting for Maika to propose, especially since she loved its architecture.

When she got down on one knee, Tah Kitti captured the moment beautifully. It was intimate and cinematic, just the two of them surrounded by the winter scenery.

Since they booked a two hour shoot, they were able to visit multiple locations.

It was snowing heavily that day so Tah Kitti suggested to wait a bit until the evening to do the second part of the photoshoot.

The second stop was Odori Park, an oasis in the middle of the business district, home to 92 types of trees and the main site of the Sapporo Snow Festival. We captured more moments there, and as I mentioned, everything felt like it came straight out of a film. It was serendipitous and simply beautiful.

With some time left, they decided to continue shooting at night in the city center, with views of the Sapporo TV Tower adding a different mood to the day. It snowed heavily that weekend, which made everything look magical but also presented challenges for the team. Despite the conditions, we made it work, and the final images speak for themselves.

Sapporo, the capital of Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido, is just one of many incredible locations you and your partner can choose when planning a photoshoot in Japan.

If you are visiting and want to preserve a special milestone, I would love to help you capture memories that will last a lifetime. Reach out to learn more about my packages and how we can plan your shoot seamlessly, no matter the season.