A Complete Guide for International Couples Planning a Ceremony — Shrine, Temple, or Garden — in the Ancient Capital of Kyoto

Japan does something to couples. Maybe it was the lantern-lit alley in Gion, the mist rising off Arashiyama bamboo, a chance meeting in a tiny ramen bar in Ichijoji. Whatever the moment — you want to make it permanent, here.

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You’re not alone. Every year, hundreds of international couples travel to Kyoto specifically to hold their wedding ceremony. Some have been planning it for years. Others got engaged beneath a torii gate and decided on the spot.

But the questions that follow can feel overwhelming: Is it legal? Do we need to be Buddhist? Can they accommodate us if we don’t speak Japanese? How do we plan this from 10,000 km away?

This guide answers every one of those questions — honestly, clearly, and with the experience of a team that has helped couples from various countries celebrate in Kyoto.

01 — The most important question first “Will our ceremony actually count?”

This is the question nearly every couple asks first — and the confusion is completely understandable. Let’s be direct about it.

Our honest recommendation: The vast majority of international couples choose the symbolic ceremony route. You legalize at home (where you have lawyers, family support, and familiar systems) and celebrate in Japan. Your ceremony is no less real, no less meaningful, and infinitely more relaxed.

A note for same-sex couples
Japan has not yet enacted national same-sex marriage legislation. This means only a symbolic ceremony is available — there is no legal registration option in Japan at this time. However, the symbolic ceremony is identical in beauty, depth, and significance to any other ceremony we offer. Many LGBTQ+ couples from around the world have celebrated at Kyoto temples and gardens with BASE KYOTO, and every one has been welcomed with complete warmth and respect.

02 — Culture, not conversion “Do we have to be Buddhist or Shinto to do this?”

This is perhaps the most widely misunderstood aspect of Japanese ceremonies for international couples. The short answer: NO.

Q We’re Christian / Muslim / atheist / not religious at all. Will the shrine or temple actually accept us?

Yes. In Japan’s religious tradition — especially in the context of ceremonial occasions — participation has always been understood as an act of respect and appreciation for culture, not a declaration of personal faith. Kyoto’s shrines and temples that welcome international couples are experienced in hosting people of every background.

What matters to the priests and ceremony staff is that you approach the ritual with sincere respect. That’s it. No conversion, no theological test, no awkward questions about your beliefs.

Q We’re worried about getting the rituals wrong — the san-san-kudo sake ceremony, the tamagushi offering. What if we mess up?

You won’t — because you’ll have a dedicated bilingual ceremony coordinator beside you for every moment. Before your ceremony, you’ll receive a full walkthrough of every ritual, what it means, and what you’ll do. During the ceremony itself, our coordinator guides you through each movement quietly and naturally. Guests watching simply see a couple moving gracefully through a beautiful ritual.

The meaning behind the rituals is something couples often find surprisingly moving — the san-san-kudo, for example, where you share sake three times to seal your bond with the heavens, earth, and humanity, tends to land differently once you understand it.

Q I have tattoos. My partner has a larger frame. Can we wear the kimono and hakama?

Tattoos: Traditional Japanese dress is layered and covers the body generously. In almost all cases, tattoos are fully covered by the kimono or hakama, so this is not an issue at shrine or temple venues. We assess on a case-by-case basis and will always tell you honestly in advance if anything needs consideration.

Sizing: Our kimono wardrobe and trusted dressing partners accommodate a wide range of body types. When you begin planning with us, we take measurements early so there is no surprise. Every body deserves to wear a beautiful kimono.

03 — Planning across time zones “Yes, you can plan everything from home. Here’s how.”

Japan has a reputation for in-person-first business culture. That’s true of large hotels and traditional banquet halls. It is not how BASE KYOTO operates. We were built specifically to serve international couples, which means every part of our process works remotely.

The typical planning timeline

Most couples begin planning 4–8 months before their preferred date. Here is what that looks like:

What about guests travelling from abroad? We create a bespoke travel guide for your guests covering how to reach Kyoto, recommended accommodations at different price points, transportation on the day, and what to wear. We handle the questions that would otherwise flood your inbox in the weeks before.

04 — No language barrier Everything in English, first contact to final bow

From your first inquiry through hair and makeup on the morning of your ceremony, every conversation with BASE KYOTO happens in English. Your planner is your single point of contact — translating your wishes to the priest, the makeup artist, the photographer, and every vendor in between. Nothing gets lost.

What about customization?

Japanese ceremony packages are often described as rigid. At BASE KYOTO, we do have a ceremony structure — the shrine or temple has its own ritual flow, and we respect that — but everything surrounding it is yours to shape: flowers, music, vows in English, photography style, post-ceremony dinner. We work with a limited number of couples each year precisely so that each one is genuinely considered.

Appendix — Legal marriage registration in Japan

Making it official on Japanese soil

For couples who wish to register their marriage legally in Japan, it is possible to do so even as non-residents. BASE KYOTO offers a dedicated support package to make the process as straightforward as possible.

Please note
While we provide expert guidance and full on-site support, couples are responsible for obtaining their own required documents from their home country and relevant embassies. We will tell you exactly what is needed from the moment you enquire.