Frequently Asked Questions
Everything international couples ask us before booking a kimono pre-wedding shoot in Japan. Still unsure about something? Write to us — we usually reply within one business day.
- Do we need a permit to shoot at a shrine, temple or garden?
- Often yes. Many shrines, temples and gardens charge a separate photography permit fee, which the photographer normally arranges on your behalf. A few famous temples ban commercial shoots on their grounds entirely — a good photographer will know this and suggest a permitted approach lane or a nearby shrine instead, so you are never asked to break the rules.
- Will the photographer speak English or Korean?
- Yes. Every studio listed on Wasou Wedding Japan communicates with international couples in English or Korean — that is one of our listing criteria. You can write to them directly, in your own language, without a translation app or an agency in the middle.
- Who do we pay, and how does payment work?
- You pay the photographer directly. Wasou Wedding is a directory, not a booking agency — we take no commission and add no markup, so the price a studio publishes is the price you pay. Each studio sets its own terms (deposit, balance, and accepted payment methods); confirm these when you enquire.
- Is it free to use this site?
- Yes. Browsing photographers, reading the guides, and contacting a studio are all free. We earn from publisher relationships and contextual advertising — never from your booking — which is why we can publish real prices and direct contacts.
- How far in advance should we book?
- For cherry blossom or autumn-maple weekends in Kyoto, book roughly twelve months ahead. Winter and summer weekdays often have availability two to three months out. Whatever the season, fix the photographer and the date before you book flights.
- Do we need to be legally married already?
- No. A pre-wedding (wasou) photoshoot has no legal or religious status. Engaged couples, already-married couples, and couples marking an anniversary all do it — many years after their actual wedding.
- What is included in a shoot?
- A typical package covers kimono rental, professional dressing (kitsuke), hair and make-up, a set shoot length and a number of retouched photos. Exact inclusions — outfit changes, delivered-photo counts, video — vary by studio. Our pre-wedding guide explains the usual ranges, and each photographer lists their own packages.
- What happens if it rains on our shoot day?
- Most studios offer a reschedule or a covered/indoor alternative if the weather turns. Because policies differ, confirm the rain and rescheduling terms in writing before you pay — and, where you can, schedule the shoot early in your trip so a reschedule still fits your dates.
- Can we also get legally married in Japan?
- The photoshoot is completely separate from legal marriage. Legally marrying in Japan as a foreign national involves your embassy or consulate and a Japanese municipal office, and the requirements depend on your nationality. Many couples keep the two separate: marry at home, and shoot in Japan.
- We have visible tattoos — is that a problem at shrines?
- Some sacred sites are sensitive about visible tattoos. It is rarely a dealbreaker, but tell your photographer in advance: they can advise on discreet cover-up, styling that keeps tattoos out of frame, or a location that is relaxed about it.
- Can we bring family, guests or a pet?
- Often yes. Many photographers welcome a small number of guests, and some allow pets in the shoot. Mention it when you enquire so the studio can plan the timing and, if needed, the location and permit accordingly.
Still have a question?
Ask our Japan-based editors anything about planning your shoot — or start with the complete pre-wedding guide.