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For a honeymoon in Japan, 7 to 10 nights is ideal, and spring or autumn are the best seasons. Spend one or two nights at a ryokan with your own open-air bath, and the trip becomes something special. Wedding photos in traditional Japanese dress in Kyoto are another moment many couples remember for life.
Here is how to plan a honeymoon in Japan for the two of you.
The best season for a honeymoon
| Season | Why couples love it | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry blossom (late March to early April) | Pink blossoms, mild weather and night sakura | The busiest season; book four to six months ahead. See our cherry blossom guide |
| Autumn leaves (November) | Red maples and temple light-ups | Kyoto is busy at the end of November. See our autumn leaves guide |
| Winter (December to February) | Snow and a hot bath under the falling snow | Cold, so pack warm. See Japan in December |
Where to go on a honeymoon in Japan
| Destination | Why couples love it | From Tokyo |
|---|---|---|
| Kyoto | Temples, quiet gardens and wedding photos in traditional dress. The heart of a romantic trip to Japan | About 2 hours 15 minutes by shinkansen |
| Hakone and Mount Fuji | Ryokan with private open-air baths, with views of the mountains and Mount Fuji | About 1.5 to 2 hours by train or car |
| Okinawa and Ishigaki | Beach resorts and clear blue sea, for a relaxing end to your trip | About 2.5 to 3.5 hours by plane |
| Hokkaido | Snow and hot springs in winter, flower fields in summer | About 1.5 hours by plane to Sapporo |
| Kanazawa | A famous garden, an old geisha district and gold leaf crafts, with far fewer crowds than Kyoto | About 2.5 hours by shinkansen |
Where to stay as a couple
| Stay | Why |
|---|---|
| A hotel with a view of Tokyo at night | Watch the city lights from your room on your first nights |
| A ryokan with a private open-air bath in Hakone or near Mount Fuji | A bath just for the two of you, facing the mountains |
| A Kyoto townhouse (machiya) or a ryokan with a garden | Live like the people of old Kyoto, in a house of your own |
Hotels and ryokan couples love
These are examples of the kind of places we book for honeymoons.
| Area | Hotel or ryokan | Why couples love it |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | Aman Tokyo | On the top floors of a tower near Tokyo Station, with wide views over the city |
| Tokyo | Park Hyatt Tokyo | High above Shinjuku, with city lights at night and Mount Fuji on clear days |
| Hakone | Gora Kadan | A ryokan in a former imperial family villa, with rooms that have their own open-air bath |
| Mount Fuji | HOSHINOYA Fuji | Cabins in the forest above Lake Kawaguchi, with a fire on your terrace in the evening |
| Kyoto | HOSHINOYA Kyoto | In Arashiyama, reached by a private boat along the river |
| Okinawa | Halekulani Okinawa | By the clear blue sea, with ocean-view rooms and villas with private pools |
The best rooms are only a few in each hotel. Rooms with a private open-air bath or a view of Mount Fuji sell out quickly. We check which rooms are free on your dates and choose the right room type for you. We also ask the hotel in Japanese for anything special: flowers or a cake for your celebration, halal meals and a quiet place to pray.
Where you stay, and in what order, shapes the whole trip. We plan your hotels together with your travel and experiences. Tell us your dates, and we will find the right room and plan the whole trip for you. Start on WhatsApp.
See our top 10 ryokan with private onsen.
Honeymoon moments in Japan
| # | Experience | In one line |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wedding photos in traditional Japanese dress | In Kyoto, at temples, gardens and bamboo groves |
| 2 | A helicopter flight over Mount Fuji | From Tokyo or Hakone |
| 3 | A private tea ceremony | Held by a tea master just for the two of you |
| 4 | Wagyu in a private room | At a famous restaurant that is hard to book |
| 5 | A temple at night | Special night visits in spring and autumn |
| 6 | A Tokyo Bay cruise at night | Tokyo’s lights from the water, on a private boat |
| 7 | A proposal, birthday or anniversary surprise | Arranged with your ryokan or restaurant |
Wedding photos in traditional Japanese dress
- What it is: a photo shoot with a professional photographer, wearing traditional Japanese wedding clothes. The bride wears a white shiromuku or a colourful iro-uchikake kimono, and the groom wears a formal hakama
- Where: temples and gardens in Kyoto, bamboo groves, and the famous spots of the cherry blossom or autumn seasons
- What is included: the clothes, dressing, hair and make-up, and the photographer. You receive your photos as digital files
- For brides who wear a hijab: some kimono studios in Kyoto can style a kimono with a hijab. We check this when we book
- We can arrange your wedding photos in traditional Japanese dress. Tell us the season, the place and the style you would like, and we will propose a plan
A helicopter flight over Mount Fuji
Fly over Mount Fuji and its lakes, then land and continue to your ryokan in Hakone. On a clear winter morning, the view of the snow-capped mountain is unforgettable.
A private tea ceremony
A tea master prepares matcha for the two of you in a quiet tea room in Kyoto, and explains each step of the ceremony.
Wagyu in a private room
Many of the best wagyu restaurants in Tokyo and Kyoto have private rooms and take bookings only by phone in Japanese. We book them for you.
A temple at night
In spring and autumn, some temples in Kyoto open in the evening and light up their gardens. Walking through them together is one of the most romantic moments of a trip to Japan.
A Tokyo Bay cruise at night
As the sun goes down, the city lights, Tokyo Tower and the Rainbow Bridge appear across the water. On a private boat, the night view is yours alone, a quiet evening for the two of you after a busy day in the city.
A proposal or anniversary surprise
Flowers in your room, a cake at dinner or a quiet place for a proposal: tell us your idea, and we will arrange it with the ryokan or restaurant.
Sample plans
These are examples only. We learn what you both love and design your trip from the beginning.
7 nights: Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto
- Tokyo: your first evening over wagyu in a private room, and a private cruise on Tokyo Bay to see the city lights from the water
- Mount Fuji and Hakone: fly over Mount Fuji by helicopter, then watch the sunset from the private open-air bath of your ryokan
- Kyoto: wedding photos in traditional Japanese dress in the morning, a private tea ceremony in the afternoon and a temple at night
10 nights: add the quiet side of Japan
- Days 1–7: as above
- Days 8–10: a night at a ryokan on Miyajima island, where it becomes quiet after the day visitors leave, or a few days by the sea in Okinawa
For more ideas, see things to do in Japan for couples.
For Muslim couples
- We choose halal restaurants and confirm the food in Japanese. See halal food in Tokyo
- We plan your days around prayer times and prayer spaces
- We tell your ryokan in advance about your food: no pork, and no alcohol in the cooking
- For wedding photos, we look for a studio that can style a kimono with a hijab
See whether Japan is Muslim-friendly.
Plan your honeymoon with a Japanese local
Tell us your dates and the kind of trip you are dreaming of. We will listen carefully and propose a honeymoon made just for the two of you. See our private Japan tours or start on WhatsApp.
How many days do we need for a honeymoon in Japan?
7 to 10 nights. Seven nights is enough for Tokyo, Hakone or Mount Fuji, and Kyoto; with ten, you can add a quiet island or a few days by the sea.
When is the best time for a honeymoon in Japan?
Spring (late March to early April) for the cherry blossoms, or November for the autumn leaves. Winter is beautiful too, with snow and hot springs.
How much does a honeymoon in Japan cost?
It depends on the length of your trip and the hotels you choose. Tell us about your plans, and we will propose a trip with a price for you.
Can we take wedding photos in Japan?
Yes. We can arrange a photo shoot in traditional Japanese wedding dress in Kyoto, with the clothes, hair and make-up and a professional photographer.
Is Japan good for a honeymoon without children?
Yes. Ryokan with private baths, quiet temples, night views and fine dining make Japan one of the most romantic places for couples.
How far ahead should we book?
Two to three months ahead, and four to six months for the cherry blossom season.
