I had the pleasure of capturing a beautiful surprise proposal in the historic Gion district of Kyoto. The timing was perfect—the autumn leaves were just beginning to turn vibrant shades of red, orange and yellow, creating a breathtaking atmosphere for the photos. We planned the proposal early in the morning in a quiet corner of Gion, known for its traditional wooden streets and classic Japanese charm.

To keep the surprise, I waited for the couple while pretending to be a tourist. Even though it was early, a few people were walking around and taking photos, so I was a little worried about the crowd. But just when the couple arrived, everyone seemed to disappear and we had the spot almost completely to ourselves. The proposal went perfectly according to plan, and the moment was truly magical. His girlfriend had no idea what was coming and her reaction was full of joy and laughter. It was a privilege to witness and capture such a happy moment.

After the proposal, we visited a large park nearby to take more photos surrounded by the warm-colored autumn foliage. We also stopped by the famous Yasaka Pagoda area, which they were really excited about. They told me how much they loved the whole experience, which made me really happy. They were both so bright and friendly that the entire photoshoot felt relaxed and fun from beginning to end.

Thank you so much for choosing me as your photographer to capture such an important moment in your lives. I’m truly honored. Congratulations again, and I hope to see you both in Japan someday.