Fukashi Jinja BAIFUKAKU

Imagine holding your elegant Japanese wedding ceremony in the majestic hall of worship at a sacred Japanese shrine and then slowly processing into the adjoining reception venue with all your family and friends to continue the celebration, without ever going outside. As the largest wedding hall attached to a shrine in Nagano Prefecture, Baifukaku offers a seamless transition from the Shinto ceremony to the wedding reception.

Our Japanese and Western chefs use seasonal ingredients from the local Shinshu region to create dishes pleasing to people of all ages. We have a variety of venues for groups of any size, from large banquet halls for up to 100 people to Japanese-style rooms for small family groups.

The deities enshrined at the prestigious Fukashi Shrine are Osuwa-sama and Tenjin-sama, two gods who, it is believed, have been watching over the happiness of our wedding couples since the shrine's construction in 1339. The stately traditional ceremony begins with a slow procession from the main torii gate to the hall of worship where the ceremony is held. The couple exchanges vows and rings to the ethereal sound of gagaku (ancient Japanese imperial-court music). Shrine maidens then perform a dance as a sacred blessing, called toyosaka-no-mai—one of the most famous shrine dances in Nagano Prefecture.

If you prefer to have commemorative photos taken instead of holding a full wedding ceremony, we can accommodate that preference. We can also arrange a photo shoot of you in kimono even if you plan to get married at a different venue! The vermilion Fukashi Shrine and its stunning grounds make a perfect backdrop for your special photo shoot. The garden showcases the colors of the four seasons and Japan's iconic flowers and trees. We also offer photo-wedding shoots at Matsumoto Castle, a national treasure, or in the lush green surroundings of Kamikochi or Naraijuku.