Celebrating your anniversary in Otobe

We received an inquiry from them in March of this year.

This year is a very special year for the couple, marking their 20th wedding anniversary!

They usually celebrate every year in Melbourne, a place that holds special memories for them, but this year they decided to change things up and celebrate in Japan while they were traveling there, which is why they found us.

They had read an article about “Enkatsura” in Otobe Town, Hokkaido, which we had previously introduced on our blog, and were so impressed with its meaning that they requested that they celebrate their 20th anniversary at “Enkatsura”.

(**You can see that article here.. CLICK! )

The ceremony took place in early July, so we communicated via email for several months afterwards.Otobe Town is a small town located a short drive from Hakodate in Hokkaido. We also helped with arranging accommodation there.

Finally, July arrived, and the couple’s important ceremony was just a few days away.
Enkatsura is located in the forest. For the ceremony, the shrine’s priest would come there and offer prayers for the safety of the couple and their families.
However, with the warm weather in Japan, there has been a risk of bears appearing in private homes recently, and when people from the town checked the forest at Enkatsura a few days before the ceremony, they found some bear droppings that were not very old. Worried about the danger, the townspeople suggested that the couple hold the ceremony at the shrine where the priest is staying.

After we explained the situation to the couple, they readily agreed, and we decided to hold their ceremony at Otobe Hachiman Shrine on the day.

It was a beautiful sunny day, perfect for celebrating the couple and their families!

And look at all these beautiful outfits!

The shrine priest prepared these costumes for the couple and their daughter on the day. Even we Japanese people have never worn such costumes before, so it was a wonderful experience for them.Everyone is very beautifully dressed!

**Left : The kimono of the shrine priest (神主 KANNUSHI)/Center: Costume worn by a shrine maiden (巫女 MIKO)/Right: Formal attire for men (samurai) from the past(KAMISHIMO)

 

She’s so cute, like a princess!

Kimono requires special dressing, so not everyone, even Japanese people, can do it. The priest dresses the kimono skillfully.

The process of trying on the costumes looks like a lot of fun!

It was a really wonderful experience.

Now that everyone is dressed, the ceremony is about to begin.

Let’s head to the shrine grounds.

First, bow and greet the gods of the shrine.

Express your wishes. Pray for your family’s health and future happiness.

And most importantly, don’t forget to express your gratitude for all the happy times they have had up until now, and for being prayed for here on this day.

They offered their prayers to God.

The priest will then convey the prayer to God.

The ceremony ended safely, and they felt a sense of relief.

Inside the gorgeous shrine grounds. The round silver thing in the middle of the back is a mirror. In Shinto（神道）, mirrors in shrine grounds have important meanings as “sacred mirrors” that symbolize the gods, and as “mirrors of the heart” that reflect the hearts of worshippers. In the main hall of a shrine, there are often mirrors that are believed to be inhabited by gods, and these mirrors are said to represent the gods themselves, or to be the abode of the gods.

What a beautiful family!

A home-cooked Japanese lunch was also prepared at the shrine for everyone to enjoy.

They were also given souvenirs such as beautiful traditional sweets, amulets, and bells.Lovely…

It was a wonderful day that brought so much warmth and happiness to everyone involved in the ceremony.

We wish you and your family continued good health and happiness in the future.

Thank you so much for believing in us and joining us. Congratulations、Mr S and Mrs K with Miss I ♡

 

Otobe Town is also home to the beautiful Shirafura Coast. It is a natural beauty that has been created over many years. Be sure to visit both places! CLICK!