When in Kyoto: A Surprise Proposal at the Famous Red Torii Gates
When people think of Kyoto, Japan, torii gates are often the first image that comes to mind. The famous pathway of thousands of vermilion gates, more popularly known as Fushimi Inari Shrine, is the most important of several thousand shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice.
My client, Griffin, was planning a surprise proposal to his girlfriend, Erica, at this iconic shrine. He loved the idea of taking photos along the tunnel of torii gates but wanted the actual proposal to take place near the entrance, in front of the fox statues, which held cultural significance for Erica. Foxes are believed to be Inari’s messengers, and visitors can find fox statues throughout the shrine grounds. Naturally, we planned everything over a call before the big day to make sure everything would run smoothly.
The date he chose happened to be a holiday, so I advised them that it might be more crowded than usual. To avoid the rush and create a more intimate atmosphere, we agreed to start early at around 7 AM. The timing was perfect, especially since Griffin wanted the moment to feel private.
On the day of the proposal, I arrived early to check the fox statue area and scout the best spot. In the end, we went with the location I recommended. Although it was a cloudy February morning, the gates and shrine still looked stunning. When Griffin got down on one knee, Erica was visibly emotional, and the moment was truly beautiful. Because we started early, we were able to capture the proposal with minimal crowds around them. It felt even more special knowing that this location was one of their favorite places in Kyoto.
After the proposal, we explored more of the shrine grounds and nearby streets. I loved being able to capture two different moods during the shoot: the timeless charm of traditional Kyoto and a playful modern side of Japan, featuring familiar scenes like a convenience store stop, onigiri in hand, and a disposable camera.
February is often called the month of love, and I’m grateful to add another beautiful proposal story to my portfolio. Time passes quickly, but photographs allow us to hold on to these milestones forever.
If you are planning a proposal or wedding in Japan and need someone who can help with both photography and thoughtful planning, I would love to work with you. From choosing the right location to coordinating the details, I’ll make sure the experience feels seamless and meaningful. Let’s create something unforgettable together.
