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Tucked deep inside Daigoji Temple in Kyoto, there is a quiet hall called Bentendo that most tourists never find their way to. It sits a fair distance from the city centre, so even most Japanese visitors only stop by once in a while. It is the kind of place where you can stand by the pond, hear nothing but birds, and feel like the world has slowed down — exactly the kind of place you want to be when you are about to propose.

This couple and I had chosen Bentendo for exactly that reason. He had quietly scouted the area himself before reaching out to me, and the two of us worked out the morning together — he would naturally lead her toward Bentendo, and from there, I would step in.

When they arrived, the hall really was completely empty. There was no one else around at all. As planned, I walked up as a tourist and asked if they could take a photo of me. The conversation flowed so easily that, when I offered to take a photo of the two of them in return, she had no idea what was about to happen.

When my signal came, he turned to her and asked. The whole moment had this quiet, almost held-breath kind of feeling to it — just the two of them, the pond behind them, and a stillness around us that I could not have planned for. She was completely surprised, and the way her happiness came through, soft and genuine, was something I will not forget any time soon.

After we spent a few quiet minutes there, we kept walking through Daigoji and shooting at the other beautiful spots inside its grounds. The temple grounds are full of small surprises — old gates, stone paths through the trees, little bridges — and at every place we stopped, they were so easy to work with. They threw out their own ideas, I shared mine, and we just kept building on each other through the whole hour. It really did fly by.

Thank you both for trusting me with such an important morning, and for being so much fun to work with along the way. Congratulations — I am so happy for you, and I hope life brings you back to Japan again sometime soon.

If you are dreaming up a surprise proposal somewhere quiet and beautiful in Kyoto, the details on my Kyoto proposal packages are over here.

What does a surprise proposal at Daigoji Temple look like when both of the people getting engaged happen to be bodybuilders? Honestly — exactly the kind of joyful, sunny, slightly unexpected morning you would hope for.

We met at Daigoji on one of those very first early-summer days where the air is still cool but the sunlight feels warm on your face. Daigoji at this time of year has its own quieter beauty — the rush of cherry blossom crowds is over, and the temple grounds feel almost peacefully empty.

He had reached out to me weeks before, and the two of us had been quietly working out the plan together. The idea was for me to walk up as a tourist and ask her if she could take a photo of me. She did not suspect a thing — she very kindly took my photo, with a smile, completely unaware of what was about to happen. After that, I offered to take a photo of the two of them together, and that is when he turned to her and got down on one knee.

Her reaction was beautiful. Real surprise, big smile, the kind of joy you cannot fake or pose for. Watching that moment unfold through the camera is honestly one of the best parts of this job, and capturing both of them happy together right then was such a gift.

A little later, when I told her how he and I had been planning the whole thing in advance, she was so happily stunned all over again. There is something special about that second wave of surprise — when the proposal itself is over but the realization of “wait, you were in on this too?” hits.

After that, the shoot turned into the most fun couple session. Both of them are bodybuilders, with incredibly strong, beautifully built physiques, and we had so much fun bringing some classic bodybuilding poses into the temple grounds. Every idea I suggested they jumped into with so much energy and humor — and they brought ideas of their own too. The combination of the quiet old temple in the background and the two of them showing off everything they have built together was honestly such a beautiful, slightly unexpected sight.

To be chosen as the photographer for this big moment in your lives meant a lot. Thank you both for trusting me with the plan, for being so generous with your energy on the day, and for letting me have so much fun behind the camera. Congratulations — I am so happy for you, and I hope life brings you back to Japan again sometime soon.

If you have your own story to tell — a surprise proposal, a couple session, or something with a little personality (bodybuilding poses absolutely welcome), you can find my Kyoto proposal packages here.

There is a particular kind of joy you only get when an entire group of friends helps pull off a surprise together. That is exactly what this proposal felt like — from the very first quiet moment in Gion when I met one of their friends at sunrise.

Before the day, one of the couple’s closest friends had been quietly coordinating with me. The plan was for him to arrive at the meeting spot earlier than everyone else and walk me through how the whole proposal would unfold. And that is exactly what happened. We met in Gion as the streets were still waking up, went over every detail together, and by the time the couple arrived, every single piece was already in place.

What happened next was honestly the smoothest, most beautiful proposal I have ever photographed. He proposed, she was completely overwhelmed in the best possible way, and the moment he stood her back up, the whole group of friends came rushing in — laughing, crying, hugging — to celebrate with them. I was able to capture every second of it: the proposal itself, the disbelief on her face, and then the warmth of all the people they love most enveloping them at once.

Before we moved on to the couple-only photos, we paused for one big group portrait with all of their friends. Those always end up being the kind of photos people frame in their living rooms years later, so I am always so glad when there is time to take one.

From there, I brought the two of them over to Gion Shirakawa, a quiet pocket of old Kyoto where the traditional wooden houses and stone-paved streets have stayed beautifully preserved. Photography is restricted in parts of this area, but I have permission to photograph here, and it is honestly one of my favorite places in the entire city. They both fell in love with the atmosphere the moment we arrived, and they had so much fun trying every pose I suggested. The light, the buildings, the two of them — everything just came together.

The couple themselves were exactly the kind of people you hope to photograph: warm, easy to laugh, completely present with each other. And their friends were just as wonderful. By the end of the hour, it really did feel like I had quietly been at a small party with all of them. The session honestly flew by.

Thank you so much for trusting me with this day, and to your friends for being such incredible co-conspirators. Congratulations to both of you — I really hope our paths cross again the next time you are in Japan.

If you are dreaming up a surprise proposal in Kyoto — quietly between the two of you, or with your closest people in on it — I would love to help. You can browse my Kyoto proposal packages here to find what fits you.

I have photographed many proposals at Fushimi Inari, but never one quite like this — partly because of the way the crowd just disappeared in the exact moment we needed it to, and partly because of what happened after the proposal. Fushimi Inari is one of the most popular spots in Kyoto and gets very crowded, he and I had planned everything for very early in the morning. Even so, when we arrived, the shrine was already full of tourists, and I was a little worried.

But somehow, in that exact moment when he was ready to propose, the timing worked out perfectly. The crowd just sort of disappeared around us, and for those few minutes, the space was completely private — like it had been waiting just for them. Honestly, it felt almost magical.

As planned, I walked up as a tourist and asked her if she could take my photo. She was so kind to me, even though she had no idea I was the photographer — she did not suspect a thing. Our acting really must have been perfect that day! haha Then he turned to her, got down on one knee, and proposed. She was completely surprised, and the moment was just beautiful.

And then came the really special part. After the proposal, their family actually joined us at the shrine to celebrate the engagement together. Seeing the two of them being hugged by their family, with tears and laughter all around, was such an emotional moment. I was so moved standing there with my camera. To be part of not just the proposal itself, but the celebration with their loved ones — that is something I will remember for a long time.

After all of that, we kept shooting at different spots around the area, choosing the quieter corners away from the main crowds. The two of them were so happy throughout the rest of the session, and they loved every single photo I showed them on the camera, which honestly made my day.

Thank you so much for choosing me as your photographer for such a meaningful day, and for trusting me to capture both the proposal and the family celebration. It was such an honor. Congratulations to both of you — I am so happy for you, and I really hope to see you all again the next time you visit Japan.

If you are planning a surprise proposal in Kyoto, Osaka, or Nara — especially at an iconic spot like Fushimi Inari Shrine — I would love to hear from you. Even at the most popular places, with a little planning around timing and location, we can create something that feels private and unforgettable. You can see all my proposal packages and get in touch here.

The view of Yasaka Pagoda framed by the old streets of Gion is one of the most photographed scenes in Kyoto. On this morning, it became the stage for a proposal that even strangers wanted to celebrate. The pagoda framed by the old street is one of the most photographed scenes in Kyoto, and we knew it would make a perfect backdrop for the moment.

Because the spot is so popular and gets very crowded, we had planned the shoot for just before 8 in the morning. When I arrived, there were already more than twelve people there taking photos, and I started to worry a little bit about timing. But just as he was about to arrive, the crowd thinned out beautifully, and by the moment we were ready for the proposal, the timing was perfect.

She had absolutely no idea what was coming. When he got down on one knee right in front of Yasaka Pagoda, she was truly stunned and so happy. And then something really special happened — the people around us actually started celebrating with them. Strangers smiled, cheered, and joined in the joy of the moment. It made the whole proposal feel even bigger and more meaningful, and it was such a beautiful thing to witness.

After the proposal, we kept walking through the Gion area and shooting at so many of the beautiful spots there. We talked about so many things along the way, and honestly, I was laughing the entire time, because the two of them are just such bright, fun, funny people. Their natural personalities came out in every photo — so many real, genuine smiles, so many sweet little moments between them. Thanks to that, I was able to capture some of my favorite photos of the year.

They loved every single photo I showed them on the camera, which honestly made me so happy. Being able to photograph people who bring this much warmth and joy to a session is one of my favorite parts of this work.

Thank you so much for choosing me as your photographer for such an important day, and for sharing your laughter and happiness with me throughout the entire shoot. Congratulations to both of you — I am so happy for you, and I really hope to see you again the next time you visit Japan.

If you are planning a surprise proposal in Kyoto, Osaka, or Nara — especially at an iconic spot like Yasaka Pagoda in Gion — I would love to hear from you. Even at the most popular places, with good planning and timing, we can create something truly unforgettable. Please see my proposal packages and get in touch!!

A Beautiful Kimono and Hakama Surprise Proposal Photoshoot in Arashiyama, Kyoto

I had the pleasure of photographing a truly wonderful couple in Arashiyama, Kyoto, recently for a surprise proposal — and this one was especially beautiful because both of them were already dressed in traditional Japanese kimono when we met. And not just any kimono — he was wearing a stunning hakama, and her kimono had the most beautiful pattern and design I have seen in a long time. It was such a special way to start the day.

It was their very first trip to Japan, so we had planned everything together carefully in advance. We had talked over the location for the proposal in detail, and we both wanted to make sure the moment felt perfect for them. When the day came, everything went exactly as we had planned. He proposed, and she was truly, completely surprised — and so happy. The look on her face in that moment is one I will never forget. And watching him see her reaction was just as beautiful — he looked so happy too, and capturing that little exchange between them really did feel like I was being given a piece of their happiness to take with me.

After the proposal, we kept walking through Arashiyama and took photos at so many lovely spots. The two of them in their kimono and hakama against the scenery of Arashiyama looked absolutely perfect together. Honestly, the photos almost felt like they were from a different era. They loved every single photo I showed them on the camera, which always makes me so happy.

Throughout the shoot, we also talked about Japan — recommendations on places to visit, foods they had to try, little tips for getting around. They listened so carefully and were so curious about everything, and it really made me happy to see how much they were enjoying their first trip here.

Thank you so much for choosing me as your photographer for such an important day, and for trusting me to help plan this moment with you. Congratulations to both of you — I am so happy for you. I really hope to see you both again the next time you visit Japan.

If you are visiting Kyoto, Osaka, or Nara and would love a proposal photoshoot in traditional kimono or in your own style, I would love to hear from you. Arashiyama is truly one of the most beautiful places in Kyoto for a kimono proposal — the bamboo, the bridge, the river, and the mountains all in one place create a backdrop that feels like stepping back in time. Please visit photoguider-japan.com to see proposal packages and get in touch.

A Joyful Proposal in Arashiyama: Photographing a Couple Who Laughed Through the Whole Moment

I had the pleasure of photographing a truly wonderful couple in Arashiyama, Kyoto, for a surprise proposal — and I have been holding onto these photos for a long time because I loved this couple so much and the session was so much fun for me. I kept waiting for the perfect moment to share them, and somehow I held them too carefully for too long, but I am finally sharing them now because they really deserve to be shared.

This shoot was a surprise proposal, and the moment he got down on one knee and asked her, the two of them burst out laughing. Of course she was so happy, and of course she said yes, but more than anything, what I will always remember from that moment is the two of them laughing together. The photos I took right at that moment are some of my favorite proposal photos I have ever taken. To me, that laughter said everything about who they are as a couple and what their relationship is really like. It was so beautiful to witness.

After the proposal, we kept walking through Arashiyama and continued taking photos at different spots, and the laughter honestly never stopped. From start to finish, they were both so bright and so warm, and our one-hour session felt like one long, happy moment. I was smiling behind the camera the whole time.

She also spoke a little Japanese, which was such a lovely surprise, and we talked about so many things during the shoot — about Japan, about the place where they live, about their life together. It really felt less like a photoshoot and more like spending time with friends. Even now, I still think about that day and how much I would love to see the two of them again.

Thank you so much for letting me be part of such an important moment in your lives. Congratulations again — I am so happy for both of you. And thank you so much for choosing me as your photographer. I really hope to see you both again the next time you visit Japan, and I cannot wait for that day.

If you are planning a surprise proposal in Kyoto, Osaka, or Nara, I would love to hear from you. Arashiyama is one of the most beautiful places in Kyoto for a proposal — the bamboo, the bridge, the river, and the mountains all in one place make it truly unforgettable. Please visit photoguider-japan.com to see proposal packages and get in touch.

Cherry blossom season has already come and gone for this year, but I wanted to take a moment to share a wonderful surprise proposal I had the pleasure of photographing in early April, when the main sakura variety, Somei Yoshino, was in absolutely full bloom.
That time of year always brings so many visitors to Kyoto, and we knew that the Gion area would be especially crowded on the day. So when we planned the shoot, we focused on choosing spots within Gion where the crowds might be a little lighter. On the actual day, Gion was packed with people as expected, but we were so lucky — right when we needed to shoot, the area around us happened to thin out just enough.
She had absolutely no idea what was coming, and when he got down on one knee, her reaction was full of so much surprise and joy. One of the most beautiful parts of the whole moment was that the people who happened to be passing by stopped to watch, and ended up cheering and congratulating them. Witnessing that kind of warmth from complete strangers, in such a beautiful setting, made the whole moment feel even more special. I was so happy I got to be the one to capture it.
After the proposal, we walked through a few different spots in the Gion area and continued the session. They were such a wonderful couple to work with, and they loved every single photo I showed them on the camera, which honestly made me so happy to be their photographer.
Thank you so much for choosing me as your photographer, and congratulations again to both of you. I hope you have a beautiful life ahead together. Please come back to Japan again someday — I would love to see you both again.
If you are planning a surprise proposal in Kyoto, Osaka, or Nara, especially during next year’s cherry blossom season, please reach out early — those dates fill up months in advance. Please visit photoguider-japan.com to see packages and get in touch.

I had the pleasure of photographing a wonderful family in the Gion area of Kyoto — a kind father and mother together with their incredibly cute little boy. They were all dressed in such beautiful kimono, which gave us so many truly Japanese photos that I really wanted to share here.
We met in the Gion-Shirakawa area, one of my favorite spots in all of Kyoto. This part of Gion still keeps the old traditional townscape, with its small canal flowing quietly between the wooden buildings. It is so beautiful and so peaceful, and it really feels like stepping into another time. Photography in this area requires a special permit, but I already have that permit, so we were able to take our time and shoot freely without any worry. The area was not too crowded that morning either, so we could capture beautiful photos without strangers walking through the background.
Their little boy was so curious about the camera right from the start, which honestly made the whole session so easy. He gave me so many natural smiles, and we ended up with such a relaxed, warm atmosphere throughout. We also took plenty of photos of the parents together — different poses, different moments — and I’m so happy that they loved every single photo I showed them on the camera.
Wearing kimono can be a little hard to move in, and especially tiring for small children, but this little boy was in such a good mood for the entire one-hour session and was so cooperative the whole time. I was honestly so impressed by him.
Thank you so much for choosing me as your photographer. I had such a wonderful time with the three of you, and your son is one of the sweetest little ones I have photographed. Please come back to Japan again someday — I would love to see you all again.
If you are visiting Japan with your family and would love some beautiful kimono photos in Kyoto, Osaka, or Nara, I would love to hear from you. Please visit photoguider-japan.com to see packages and get in touch.

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.

I had the wonderful opportunity to capture an incredibly bright and cheerful couple’s surprise proposal photoshoot in Kyoto during the peak cherry blossom season.

The sakura were in full bloom, creating the most magical spring scenery, but what made this session even more special was the couple themselves. They were genuinely full of happiness, laughter, and beautiful smiles from beginning to end. Their positive energy made the entire atmosphere feel warm and exciting, and before I knew it, I was smiling just as much as they were. This one hour photoshoot turned into one of the most enjoyable and memorable sessions I have had in Kyoto.

First of all, the surprise proposal itself went absolutely perfectly.

We met exactly on schedule, and he arrived at the planned moment without making his partner suspicious at all. Because everything worked so smoothly, we were able to photograph the proposal in a peaceful area with almost no people around. During cherry blossom season in Kyoto, quiet moments like this are extremely valuable, so the timing could not have been better.

When he got down on one knee, she looked completely shocked. It was obvious that she had not expected this at all. Her surprised expression, followed by pure happiness, created such an emotional and beautiful moment beneath the fully blooming cherry blossoms.

After the proposal, we continued our Kyoto cherry blossom photoshoot by moving around to several different sakura spots in the area. We stopped under tunnels of pink blossoms, walked through quiet little paths, and even ran together through open spaces while laughing. This allowed us to create many different styles of photos, from romantic and elegant portraits to playful and energetic candid shots.

One of the things that impressed me most was how natural they were in front of the camera.

Many couples feel nervous during a photoshoot, especially right after such an emotional proposal, but these two were completely relaxed. They laughed naturally, looked at each other with genuine affection, and simply enjoyed every second together. Because of that, I was able to capture so many authentic images filled with real joy.

As I kept talking with them, I found myself smiling more and more. We laughed loudly, shared many conversations, and the mood felt so comfortable that it honestly seemed as if I had known them for years. It did not feel like work at all. It felt like I was spending a wonderful spring morning in Kyoto with old friends.

Meeting couples like this is one of the reasons I truly love being a Kyoto proposal photographer.

Being trusted to capture such a precious once in a lifetime moment is always an honor, and when the clients are this warm, fun, and full of love, it becomes an unforgettable experience not only for them, but for me as well.

Congratulations again to this amazing couple.

Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful and joyful time with me.

I sincerely hope you come back to Japan again, and I would be so happy to see you here in Kyoto someday.

I recently photographed a surprise proposal for a very cheerful couple in a large park in Kyoto City. At that time, the late blooming weeping cherry blossoms were in full bloom, which made this proposal photoshoot truly beautiful and memorable. The soft pink sakura created the perfect romantic atmosphere for their special moment.

As planned, I waited for them while pretending to be a tourist, and when they came close, I approached them and suggested taking some photos. His acting was so natural that she did not notice anything at all and had absolutely no idea that he was about to propose.

When he got down on one knee, she was overwhelmed with happiness and started crying with joy. I was photographing that precious moment, and seeing how happy they were made me feel incredibly touched as well. Their happiness was so beautiful that it made me feel truly grateful to be there.

After the proposal, they hugged each other and thanked me many times. I actually felt that I should be the one thanking them because they were so kind, polite, and genuinely appreciative of the photos from their proposal moment.

After that, we walked around the park together and continued taking photos in many different locations. We photographed not only under the cherry blossom trees, but also near a small Japanese style resting house and on the grass area, which allowed us to capture many different types of pictures. We spent the session talking and laughing together, so it became a very enjoyable and memorable photoshoot.

Thank you very much for choosing me as your photographer. Please come visit Japan again someday, and congratulations once again.

I had the pleasure of photographing a wonderful family in the Gion area of Kyoto during cherry blossom season. We met in the Gion Shirakawa area, where we were able to capture beautiful moments surrounded by fully blooming sakura. This area is known for its charming streets, traditional Kyoto buildings, and scenic canal lined with cherry trees, making it one of the best locations for photography in Kyoto.

The timing was perfect, as the cherry blossoms were in full bloom, creating a breathtaking atmosphere. In addition to the sakura, the historic streets of Gion added a truly authentic Kyoto feel to the photos.

This photoshoot was also a special birthday celebration for the mother, so we explored several locations together. We took photos in front of a large temple gate and also visited Maruyama Park, another famous cherry blossom spot in Kyoto.

It was truly the best day to enjoy sakura, and the session turned out to be an unforgettable experience. I’m so happy that the family loved the photos. The children were very friendly and talkative, and it felt like we became friends during the shoot. The parents were also incredibly kind, and the one-hour session went by so quickly.

Thank you so much for choosing me as your photographer. I hope to see you again when you visit Japan in the future.

I had the pleasure of photographing a beautiful surprise proposal in the Gion area of Kyoto, one of the most iconic locations in Japan. The moment took place under fully bloomed cherry blossoms, making it a truly magical setting.

It was a perfect day for a photoshoot in Kyoto, with clear blue skies and sakura at their peak. Gion’s traditional streets combined with the cherry blossoms created an unforgettable atmosphere.

As planned, he brought her to the exact location without raising any suspicion. After I spotted them, I slowly approached and asked if they could take a photo for me, which was our signal to begin. Everything went smoothly, and he successfully proposed just as we had planned.

There were some tourists around, but everyone warmly celebrated their engagement, making the moment even more special. She was completely surprised and overjoyed, which made the proposal even more emotional and memorable.

They were such a lovely couple, and after the proposal, we continued the photoshoot around Gion and nearby spots. I was so happy to hear that they loved all the photos I took.

What stood out the most was how kind, calm, and respectful they were. They were also very interested in Japanese culture, so we enjoyed great conversations throughout the session. The one-hour shoot felt like it passed in no time.

It was truly an honor to capture such a special moment in Kyoto. Congratulations again, and I hope you’ll visit Japan again someday.