The Ultimate Tokyo Elopement Itinerary

Welcome to Tokyo! You’ll want to arrive at least two to three days before your elopement ceremony. There are always errands to run and tasks to complete, so a built-in buffer will serve you well.

Upon your afternoon arrival, check in at an urban ryokan for a couple of nights. Yuen Shinjuku is a perfect base in the Shinjuku district—perfect for dining, shopping, and nightlife. With an open-air rooftop onsen, this boutique hotel feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo's busiest metro station, which is just a 15-minute stroll away.

Fight the jet lag with a long wander through Shinjuku. Work up an appetite shopping for retro cameras and designer vintage, then pop into Gyukatsu Motomura for a casual but highly memorable meal. Finish the night with a drink (or two) in Golden Gai, a nightlife district known for its pocket-sized bars.

After a Japanese-style breakfast at your hotel, spend some time appreciating the serene beauty of Meiji-Jingu, Tokyo's most famous shinto shrine. Since you're getting married soon, try and find the 'husband and wife' camphor trees.

Don’t miss lunch at Afuri ramen (I promise the line moves quickly). Afterwards, indulge in some retail therapy in Harajuku, and, my favorite, Omotesando Hills, where you can find beautifully curated boutiques.

After an onsen and rest at your urban ryokan, find yourself at Shibuya Crossing for sunset, then escape the crowds and head into the nearby Tomigaya neighborhood. Spend a relaxed evening exploring local wine bars, like Vindustry and Ahiru Store.

Spend the morning in Asakusa at the Senso-ji temple and grab breakfast at Fuglen, a Scandi-style coffee shop. Then, stroll over to Kappabashi Kitchen Street, where you’ll visit Kama-Asa and select a knife as a wedding gift to yourselves. For a special touch, they will even engrave the handle for you.

In the afternoon, head to your luxurious hotel in Azabudai Hills: JANU Tokyo. You may have heard of the ultra-luxe Aman brand, and Janu is Aman’s wellness-focused little sister.

JANU has incredible wellness facilities, so spend a couple of hours enjoying the onsen spa amenities, Olympic-size swimming pool, and fitness center with iconic views of Tokyo Tower.

Tomorrow is the big day, so take it easy this evening. Head to the teamLab Borderless digital art space, then grab a bite in the Azabudai Hills area at a restaurant like Florilege.

Today is the day! Gardens, temples, traditional homes, hotels...There are so many amazing venues for your Tokyo elopement, and many local event coordinators willing to help with arrangements. Just remember, public spaces like parks must be reserved in advance.

Enjoy a relaxed morning at JANU with the most beautiful Japanese breakfast you’ve ever seen, maybe take a cold plunge or two, then get ready for your ceremony.

Your local photographer will capture every moment of your intimate wedding day. We worked with Sam Spicer, who was wonderful and made our day feel effortless. Sam is based in Tokyo and shoots both digital and film. After your ceremony, treat yourselves to a glass of champagne and cake in the JANU Patisserie.

After running around the city taking cinematic photos, end your perfect day with a perfect meal at Ise Sueyoshi, an elegant kaiseki dining experience with seating for just five guests at the chef’s counter.

Note: Full disclosure, we were legally married in our home country before traveling to Tokyo. It’s extremely difficult for foreigners to legally marry in Japan, so it’s best to get all the paperwork out of the way beforehand. Save your vows and focus on the spiritual/ceremony aspect once you get to Japan.

Congratulations, you're married! Time for the honeymoon to begin. Enjoy a late check-out and spend one last morning enjoying Janu's epic wellness facilities.

Take a complimentary yoga class, hit the fitness center, or have a spa treatment before departing for your next destination in Japan. We headed to the mountains of Hakone, but Kyoto and Okinawa are also amazing honeymoon destinations.

Ready to design your own Tokyo elopement, honeymoon or romantic getaway? I would be delighted to assist you with all the details. Please get in touch!