Celebrating Our First Wedding Anniversary: A Japanese-Inspired Photoshoot

Why Celebrate Your Anniversary?

Anniversaries are unique events that should not go unnoticed and should be marked with lots of fun and excitement. Since it was our first wedding anniversary, my husband and I decided to make the day memorable and culturally relevant. We wanted to do a Japanese-style photoshoot in yukata during the cherry blossom season. This experience not only helped us to enjoy the love but also to learn more about Japanese culture. Here’s a detailed account of our joyful day and some useful tips for those who want to have a photoshoot in Japan during Sakura season.

Hair and Outfit Preparation

Weeks ahead, my husband and I decided that we wanted to celebrate our anniversary with a photoshoot under the cherry blossom trees. To achieve this, I made an appointment with one of the salons early in the morning around 9AM close to Kita Kogane Station before our shoot at 11AM. The staff at the salon was courteous and cheerful, thus making the preparation very enjoyable. The moment I entered the shop, I felt like the entire team was attending to me – one was applying make-up, the other was fixing my hair, and the third was fitting me into the yukata almost at the same time. There was so much going on all at once and I just burst out laughing because it was really crazy.

I had a beautiful pink yukata with flower prints on it and I also carried a small Japanese-style purse with me. My husband wore a grey yukata and he looked very fine for the occasion. Curiously enough, we had purchased these outfits some time before during our shopping tour in Kamakura. We did not think about using them for our anniversary at that time, but we later realized that it was the best decision we made at that time.

The only difficulty I had was moving around in wooden clogs called geta, which felt like learning to walk again. It was so challenging to walk up the shrine because of the shoes and I tripped many times, nearly twisting my ankle. I am glad that my friend and husband were there to help me to avoid any embarrassing incidents.

The Location

For the photoshoot, we chose Tozenji shrine, which is close to Kita Kogane Station, as our photoshoot location. It was the most ideal time as it was spring and the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. The beauty of pink flowers against the background of the shrine left an unforgettable impression on all of us.

Also, one of the highlights of the day was meeting my friend, who had earlier agreed to be our photographer for a reasonable price and a meal at a nearby restaurant, just across the shrine. She isn’t a professional photographer, but she has a keen eye for catching the beauty of unguarded moments as shown in her Instagram feed.

The Day of the Shoot

At first, we didn’t know what to do, and we even felt a little uncomfortable as we were not used to this kind of thing, especially when there were so many people around. On top of that, walking in those wooden slippers did not improve the situation! But my friend was quite good at putting us at ease. I remember she was making us take many strange and funny poses that made us laugh, forgetting that we were nervous.

Quite unexpectedly, it began to rain lightly, and so we had to sit down for a while and wait for the rain to stop. We used the time to take more pictures around the area and also take more relaxed photos. This is most probably because it was rainy season and the beauty of holding hands and strolling around the shrine with the cherry blossoms falling around us seemed very romantic.

Though there was a slight problem with the weather it ended up being a beautiful day. We had such a lot of fun and it was wonderful to have been able to celebrate our anniversary in such a manner. My friend was able to get some nice shots that we will treasure forever.

Sakura season is perfect for any kind of photoshoot may it be, anniversaries, prenups, birthdays, and more. Here are some tips that might come in handy when planning your own photoshoot in the future.

Tips for a Photoshoot During Sakura Season

1. Book in Advance: The season of cherry blossom is very much in demand in Japan so be sure to hire a photographer, or get an appointment in the salon, or make any other appointments you may have a few months in advance so that you do not have to worry during the season.

2. Choose the Right Location: The most frequented locations attract a lot of people at one time. It would be better to decide to visit a not very popular shrine or park in order to have more time for walking and to be less disturbed by numerous visitors. Fortunately, there was a shrine close to Kita Kogane Station and it was not crowded which was suitable for us.

3. Weather Considerations: The weather in the springtime in Japan is not very stable. Expect that it may start raining anytime and pack umbrellas and raincoats for your clothing and for the equipment.

4. Comfortable Footwear: Shoes and in particular wooden clogs or slippers are not easy to walk with. If you are not accustomed to wearing them, it is advisable to take a trial of walking around in them or you can wear a different pair of shoes that will be comfortable when you are not posed for a photo.

5. Outfit Planning: Consider the combination of the colors and the design of the clothes that you are going to wear. Cherry blossoms can very well be matched with rather delicate shades of pink and a floral print. Items of traditional bags or even hair ornaments can enhance the overall feel of the film.

6. Props and Poses: It will be good to have some props such as the paper umbrella or fans to make a change in the photos. Consult with the photographer on pose ideas before the photo session so as to strategize during the shoot.

7. Timing: Cherry blossoms do not bloom for a long time. Make sure you follow the Sakura forecast so you can shoot at the peak of its bloom to get the best backdrop.

8. Enjoy the Moment: Caught up with all the preparations and formalities, do not forget to be comfortable and have fun at least with your partner. When you are not posing for a picture, they tend to come out the best and most natural.

A Day to Remember

Looking back, I could say that taking an anniversary photoshoot was a great way to mark our first year of marriage. It was joyful, hilarious and it was who we were to the core. So, if you are planning to do something similar, I suggest you do it. It’s the best way to establish good memories and show love in a special and unique manner. The day was traditional, romantic, and adventurous at the same time. This was like a fairytale, holding hands at the shrine, with the beautiful cherry blossoms all around. Not even the rain could spoil the fun as it gave us a fairytale feel to our little expedition.

In the end, the photos were a success, they depicted us as a couple and the happiness of the celebration. We cannot thank our friend enough as she did an amazing job and it was lovely to have her with us not just as a photographer but as part of the celebration.

Should you be preparing your own anniversary or a photoshoot in Japan, bear these tips in mind and turn it into a personalized experience. For lovers, the cherry blossom season, the elegance of yukata, and, of course, the feelings that unite you are the highlights of this romantic occasion.