A Wonderful Surprise Proposal Photoshoot at Daigo-ji Temple in Kyoto

I had the pleasure of photographing a wonderful couple’s surprise proposal at Daigo-ji Temple in Kyoto, and it turned out to be one of those mornings I will remember for a long time.

In the weeks leading up to the day, he and I had planned the proposal together in careful detail — exactly where she should stand, exactly when he would arrive, and exactly when he would get down on one knee. On the day itself, everything went perfectly. He arrived right on time, just as we had planned, and she had absolutely no idea what was about to happen.

What made this proposal even more special was the setting. Daigo-ji is one of Kyoto’s quieter temples, away from the busier tourist crowds, and that morning the grounds were almost completely empty. There was no noise around us, no other visitors walking past — just the three of us in this beautifully peaceful place. When he got down on one knee, her face filled with so much surprise and joy. Being able to photograph such a private and beautiful moment was truly a gift.

After the proposal, we spent the rest of the hour exploring different spots around the temple together. They were both such bright, kind people — easy to talk to, easy to laugh with, and so happy with the photos I showed them on the camera that the one-hour session went by incredibly fast.

The most memorable part of the day for me, beyond the photos themselves, was discovering that we all share a love of anime and manga. We had a long, fun conversation about our favorite shows, and when I pulled out the Dragon Ball sticker I had brought along and gave it to him, his face lit up. As a fellow anime fan, that small moment really made my day.

Thank you so much for choosing me as your photographer on such an important day in your lives. Daigo-ji turned out to be the perfect choice for the two of you — quiet, beautiful, and entirely yours for the morning.

I hope to see you both again when you come back to Japan, and next time, I will be sure to bring even more anime stickers.

If you are planning a surprise proposal in Kyoto, Osaka, or Nara, I would love to help you make your day unforgettable.