How To Get Married in Japan

Why in Japan #1

We've been asked several times why we got married in Japan of all places?  

1. The answer in a single word: Shibui.  There was an invisible draw, like a strong gravitational force, and a dream with light pink snowflake floating cherry blossoms landing on our shoulders while a Shinto priest chants and we declare our lifetime promises to one-the-other in Japanese.  

2. Then there was a heightened sense of mindfulness and meaning.  

3. Then an epiphany: that the extra complexities, translating wedding documents into Japanese, memorizing Shinto wedding promises in Japanese, that all the complicated steps we took, mirrored the dedication to our relationship. 

4. Then there was a sense of antiquity, a sense that this is truly the way a marriage should begin in full and beautiful kimonos. For reasons, inexplicable, we feel our Shinto wedding reveals who we are and our aspirations for the rest of our lives together.

The steps (in brief) to have your own wedding (or renew your vows) in Japan

1. Download the documents from Japan Embassy Website, and have someone fill them out in Japanese.

2. Gather all your documentation (birth certificates, etc.)

3. Visit the U.S. Embassy nearest you (with the previously mentioned documents).

4. Go to:  TRAVEL.STATE.GOV to make an appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo.

5. When you land in Tokyo, visit the U.S. Embassy there to have your documents checked and notarized.       The address is:  1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 JAPAN

6. Take all your documents to a Japanese City Hall like this one in Shinjuku.  The address is:  1-chōme-4-１ Kabukichō, Shinjuku City, Tōkyō-to 160-8484, Japan. Here you need to fill out forms in Japanese, making it important to have a translator with you.  Practice writing your name in Japanese since you will have to sign in Japanese.

7. Take your official Japanese Wedding document with you to the Shinto priest who will conduct your ceremony.

8. Option: one year in advance: Arrange for Mokumeganea to inscribe your wedding rings in Japanese, with the First Principles of your relationship.

First Principles

Patricia Vining       and      Toby Manzanares

第一原理  First Principles     Daiichigenri  

     名誉       Honor                Meiyo   (May yo)

       尊敬        Respect             Sonkei   (Son kay)

       育む       Nurture Inner Growth   Hagukumu

       愛          Love One the Other      Ai (eye e)  

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