HOTOKU NINOMIYA JINJA-SHRINE / HOTOKU KAIKAN
Tens of thousands of couples have been married at Hotoku Ninomiya Shrine, a Japanese shrine that is enriched with history and tradition. Many international couples (where either the husband or wife is Japanese) request a genuine Shinto ceremony at the shrine. Before the pandemic, Hotoku Ninomiya Shrine hosted three couples from Hong Kong. Hotoku Kaikan has hosted wedding ceremonies for more than half a century, and it also operates a restaurant and café that attracts many tourists. Odawara is a key stop on the shinkansen (bullet train) line, providing easy access for those traveling from other locations in Japan.
- Website
- http://www.hotoku.co.jp
Wedding Ceremony
Just a short distance from Tokyo is the picturesque castle town of Odawara. There, Hotoku Ninomiya Shrine stands adjacent to the impressive Odawara Castle and has an equally proud history—a shrine that has held wedding ceremonies since ancient times. The sacred grounds are graced by an exquisite garden where couples can enjoy a welcome party surrounded by lush greenery. Hotoku Kaikan, located on the grounds of the shrine, offers a variety of scenic venues for wedding parties of different sizes, including a popular venue with glass walls affording a splendid panoramic view.
In addition to its widely acclaimed authentic Japanese cuisine and luxury gourmet meals, Hotoku Kaikan can provide casual buffets. Located in the hall are a beauty salon and a photo studio, so the wedding party does not have to travel to another location for hairdressing or photos but can instead relax in a comfortable Japanese-culture setting on the day of the wedding.
Two plans for wedding attire are available:
1. We collaborate with a variety of wedding-attire stores in Tokyo and Yokohama, and although a fitting is required in advance, customers can choose from a wide selection of both Japanese- and Western-style clothing.
2. For wedding and photo plans, the beauty salon will help you select Japanese-style attire that suits you perfectly. You can choose something from the catalogue in advance or come the day before or early on the day of your wedding to make your selection.
Japanese Wedding
The Hotoku Ninomiya Shrine's Shinto ceremony has been passed down from the shrine's early days and is an authentic Shinto ceremony that reflects the shrine's long history and sacred traditions. Many local families have held weddings at the shrine for two or three generations, and many couples come from nearby Tokyo, Yokohama, or various suburbs in the Greater Tokyo Area. Odawara City is one of the few local governments in Japan that can issue marriage certificates to tourists visiting Japan.*
*Citizens of some countries may not be eligible, so please confirm in advance.
Photo Wedding
The shrine is surrounded by many kinds of plants, each coming into glory in its own season—cherry blossoms, fresh spring leaves, azalea bushes, wisteria vines, hydrangea shrubs, lotus flowers, vibrant autumn leaves, plum blossoms, and other flowers and grasses that adorn the grounds. The historic Odawara Castle juxtaposed with cherry blossoms in full bloom is a particularly famous scene that attracts many visitors, including wedding parties. Quintessentially Japanese photo spots can be found throughout the shrine precincts—for example, in corridors suffused with tradition or in the verdant Japanese garden. Odawara is close to Hakone Onsen, and many couples take photos at the shrine or at Odawara Castle with Mt. Hakone, Lake Ashi, or the iconic Mt. Fuji in the background. Newlyweds can also enjoy a dip in the onsen (hot springs) in the area.
