Hi everyone! Love how supportive this sub is.
I am potentially planning on proposing to my girlfriend during our trip to Japan in early June (no cherry blossoms?). We are starting in Tokyo and ending in Kyoto (+Osaka day trip). I’m leaning towards proposing on Day 1 or Day 2, although I do feel like Kyoto could be a more “romantic”, serene location than Tokyo. Please correct me if this impression is misplaced. A few preliminary questions:
(1) I wanted to confirm whether it would be disrespectful to propose on the outer grounds or garden of a Buddhist or Shinto temple in Japan? Of course, I would never do it inside the actual temple grounds, but I am aware that somewhere like Meiji Jingu has vast outer gardens away from the ceremonies.
(2) Are you aware of any serene, natural, traditional Japanese gardens or hillsides in or near Tokyo that would make a great proposal location?
(3) I am looking into Happo-en in Tokyo in the late morning/early afternoon, but that would be on a Friday/Saturday. Is Happo-en open to the public if there are weekend weddings going on? Thinking we could tuck away somewhere private if so. I know there is a traditional tea house there that opens at 11am (no reservations), so maybe it’s possible to walk around the gardens after tea?
Any feedback would be sincerely appreciated! The below itinerary excludes our travel days, hence “Full Days”. Wish it were longer.
Full Day 1 (Tokyo):
* Happo-en (potential proposal — is it open to public with weddings occurring?)
* Alternative to Happo-en: Meiji Jingu outer gardens, if socially acceptable and relatively secluded
* Shiba Park/Tokyo Tower
* Traditional tea experience
Day 2 (Tokyo):
* Senso-Ji
* Skytree
* Walk around Asakusa and/or Chuo City
* TeamLab Planets (if time)
Day 3 (Tokyo):
* Ghibli Museum
* Return to see Shibuya Crossing
* Explore Shinjuku in evening (e.g. Golden Gai and/or Omoide Yokochō)
Day 4 (Center/South Kyoto):
* Fushimi Inari Taisha
* Kiyomizu-dera (another potential proposal location on the hillside outer grounds, if socially acceptable)
Day 5 (North/Center Kyoto):
* Higashiyama Jisho-ji
* Shimogamo Jinja
* Nishiki Market
Day 6 (West Kyoto):
* Nijo Castle
* Kinkaju-Ji
* Arashiyama Forest
Day 7 (Osaka Day Trip from Kyoto)
* Osaka Castle
* Explore Dotonburi & try local specialty foods
Day 8 (Tokyo)
* Explore west areas of Tokyo, find a nice final Japanese dinner restaurant
Thank you all so much for any feedback or suggestions!
\*Edit: 8 Days, not 7
3 comments
*Edit: 8 Days, not 7
Cherry blossoms are blooming in March 17th I believe.
As far as the proposal in a temple I’m not 100% sure but if any doubt I would just Pic a nice park or area.
Kyoto I would say would be ideal.
A lot of beautiful spots there and of course you could always browse Google for ideas.
I’m so excited and congratulations on your engagement
The paying area of Meiji Jingu is really beautiful and has less people and a more secluded feeling than the general temple area. Lots of cute spots (thinking of the gazebo for instance).
Only thing is I don’t know how crowded that section is in June, I’ve always visited it outside of summer but not sure how popular a spot it is, and whether you want to propose with people around or not 🙂
Kyoto sounds great as well but I’m less familiar with the area