Japan is a country with unique wedding traditions. Although marriage rates have declined over recent decades, tying the knot is still popular for both nationals and expats in the country.
Types of Weddings in Japan
Similar to marriage processes in many countries, Japanese weddings involve an official civil union where the marriage is registered with local authorities, and often extend to a more informal ceremony based around traditions. For Japanese nationals, the Shinto wedding ceremony is the most common form. For Shinto ceremonies, brides wear a traditional Japanese kimono while grooms usually wear a black jacket and a loose wrap with a stripe around the waist. The ceremony includes a blessing from a priest and a ritual sake sipping.
Due to European and American influences in Japan, Christian wedding ceremonies are becoming more popular these days. However, same-sex marriages are not legal, despite some moves towards making this a possibility. Some municipalities, such as Tokyo, issue certificates that recognize a partnership commitment but do not constitute a legal marriage.
Legal Requirements for Marriage in Japan
To get married in Japan, both partners must be at least 18 years old and not related to each other. There are no nationality requirements for marriage in Japan, meaning that expats can get married, however foreigners usually need to get an affidavit showing that they are legally free to marry. Documents that you will need to file with local authorities include:
- Application for the marriage license
- Each partner’s birth certificate and passport
Planning Your Japanese Wedding
Plans will be dictated largely by the type of wedding you decide on. Once you’ve settled on this, the typical steps are:
- Pick a date and location
- Finalize the guest list and send invites
- Decide on the wedding party (bridesmaids, groomsmen, etc.)
- Find a photographer
- Sort out flowers, music, and catering, if having a full ceremony
- Organize the wedding transport, which may also include arranging transport for guests
- Purchase wedding outfits for bride and groom (and possibly bridesmaids and groomsmen)
- File your paperwork
- Get married!
Wedding Costs in Japan
Japanese wedding costs can vary significantly, but you can expect to pay around 3 million yen for a wedding including a ceremony. Costs you may need to consider include:
- Foreign citizen affidavit to marry
- Registration/certificate of marriage
- Translation of documents (if not in Japanese)
- Venue
- Outfits
- Catering costs
- Photographer
- Flowers
- Transport costs
- Wedding planner costs, if you decide to use one
Top Wedding Locations in Japan
If you want to go beyond a simple official registration, you can choose a nice Japanese location for your wedding. Options include natural settings, fancy hotels, and Japanese temples. Top picks include:
Common Japanese Wedding Traditions
Whether you have a Shinto wedding or a western-style celebration in Japan, you might want to incorporate some of the following Japanese wedding customs into your ceremony:
- Yuino: Part of the ceremony where the bride and groom’s families exchange gifts and money.
- San san kudo: Sake-sharing ritual, where both bride and groom take three sips of sake from a cup.
- Hanataba: Presenting a large bouquet of flowers to the bride and groom’s parents at the end of the event.
- Oiro naoshi: Tradition involving the bride and groom changing wedding outfits at various points during the wedding day.
