On 1 February 1954, when newlyweds Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio touched in Tokyo on their private plane, Japan may have become the ultimate chic honeymoon destination. The actress and the baseball player managed to jump into a convertible and zoom off to the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo’s Chiyoda ward, amidst a tangle of bouncing blonde curls and clamoring spectators. As a result, Japan became the hottest honeymoon destination because the city was officially recognized as an undeniably fabulous honeymoon destination. (Disregard the marriage between DiMaggio and Monroe, which lasted just one year.)
How Japan Became the Hottest Honeymoon Destination Now, following decades of travel frenzy to Japan where Americans have converged on the country—for fiery orange Shinto shrines in Kyoto, gargantuan tuna at the early-morning Toyosu market, steamy onsens enveloped in ritual, and neon-lit alleys of the capital city—the broader trend of traveling to Japan shows no signs of abating; the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) states that following the reopening of borders in October 2022 after the coronavirus closures, visitor numbers have almost returned to pre-pandemic levels,
with over 2.3 million international arrivals in July alone. That is an impressive proximity to the 2.9 million who visited in the same month of 2019, which set a record for Japanese tourism. These figures also reflect a segment of honeymooners that is slightly less tangible but undeniably robust, for whom the destination has become more popular.
Glance at your Instagram or TikTok feed—or mine, for that matter—and the evidence is in the posts. My coworker, that friend of a friend, the neighbors, my sister, someone from university, and another person posted pictures and asked for advice on honeymooning in Japan. Andrés Zuleta, a travel planner at Boutique Japan, can confirm this sentiment.
„Wir bewerben Japan-Hochzeitsreisen seit sechs oder sieben Jahren, aber damals war das eher eine Nischenangelegenheit“, sagt Zuleta. He states that the audience, which used to consist of ‘foodie’ travelers from urban centers such as New York and Los Angeles seeking a more adventurous and culinary-focused honeymoon, has transformed into a clientele comprising all travelers. Of course, there are the sushi and soba-noodle chasers, wellness enthusiasts, hikers, art aficionados, and everything else. „Jetzt hat ein breiterer Personenkreis Interesse an Japan gewonnen, und das Volumen ist definitiv gestiegen“, sagt Zuleta.
Travel expert Harlan deBell of The Travel Siblings has observed the same phenomenon: 2023 has been an exceptional year for inquiries from newlyweds about the island nation. „Die Mehrheit unserer Kunden sind frisch Vermählte, und Japan gehört dieses Jahr zu den meistgeäußerten Wünschen“, sagt deBell, der es auch seinen Kunden regelmäßig empfiehlt. “Japan offers attractions for every season and a multitude of options [for destinations within the country], particularly since many of our couples wish to merge their various interests, from urban experiences in Tokyo to beach getaways in Okinawa and its nearby islands, along with shrines and temples, a vibrant food scene, and abundant natural beauty.”
Japan is home to various experiences, making it a fantastic honeymoon destination in 2023. Gabriella Rello Duffy, the editorial director of Brides, states that the post-wedding “fly-and-flop” has lost its former charm. Duffy states, “Couples are actively looking for honeymoon destinations that provide a balanced combination of relaxation and adventure.” “Although some couples will always prefer to spend their entire honeymoon relaxing on the beach or by the pool,
we’re noticing that an increasing number of pairs want to immerse themselves in local culture, try new activities, and be active for at least part of their trip.” In the last ten years, distant honeymoons have also become more popular. (Unless you’re traveling from Hawaii, get ready for a minimum of 12 hours in the air to get to Japan—that’s what a direct flight from the West Coast takes at least.)
The honeymooners in Japan
Japan was an easy choice for Alli Norman and Justin Fabillar, a toy designer and cosmetic consultant living in East Los Angeles who were on their honeymoon at the time of writing—it ticked all their boxes. He adores Japanese denim, and they share a passion for Michelin-star dining (currently, Japan boasts the second-highest number of Michelin stars). Norman states, “I visited Japan once before, and it swiftly turned into my favorite place of all the places I’ve been.” “
Für meinen Mann war es ein einfaches Geschäft. After our 2022 wedding in Joshua Tree, we considered a mini-moon near Los Angeles, but decided to wait until Japan’s borders reopened to go to our top-choice destination. If you are going to do it, do it properly.
According to Norman, they possessed merely two guiding principles: “exploring the excellence of Japanese art forms, with an emphasis on our favorites: food and fashion.” Their two-week itinerary includes Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Kojima Jeans Street (for all things denim, including indigo-flavored ice cream). The aim is to dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant in every location, and check out the teamLab Planets Tokyo interactive art installation.
(“after admiring their work for years,” Norman says), and receive matching peony tattoos at Three Tides in Tokyo. Additionally, they have arranged for private onsens to avoid the standard practices of gender separation and tattoo limitations found at more conventional public onsens. Their ostentatious hotel accommodations included everything from the ‘Sushi Wars’ room at Tokyo’s BnA Wall Art Hotel to the luxurious Sumiya Kiho-an ryokan in Kyoto. They’ve designed an itinerary that aligns perfectly with their personalities and includes experiences unique to Japan.
There are certainly couples for whom Japan was the only choice—a destination they had dreamed of visiting, with the honeymoon providing a perfect opportunity to go all out. For Maggie Mae Slover, a writer and visual artist based in Brooklyn, Japan is a direct reflection of her relationship with her fiancé Jesse Featherstone. Slover states, “We both love Japanese films, such as those by Yasujirō Ozu and Hiroshi Teshigahara.” “
An element of our love story was the discovery that we shared an obsession for Woman in the Dunes, [a Japanese new-wave film]. Our initial date occurred at Bar Moga, known for its extensive list of Japanese whiskeys and beautiful omurice. “Their favorite outings have encompassed the Kimono Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and looking into traditional ikebana flower arrangements, so it was only logical to visit this place whose customs and aesthetic have been so influential in our home, clothing, lifestyle choices, and art-making.”
They plan to marry in November at Prospect Park in Brooklyn, and afterward intend to travel around Japan by train—making stops in Hiroshima, Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo, and Hokkaido (“if we haven’t turned into two mochi with legs by then, “Slover says). They will visit the origami museum in Tokyo,
sway to the tunes at Slowboat Jazz Club in Sapporo, watch rice flour being pounded into mochi at Nakatanidou in Nara, and shop for traditional lamps at places like Miura Shomei in Kyoto. Slover and Featherstone are even picking up some Japanese in preparation for the trip. “We chose Japan for our honeymoon due to our indescribable attraction to the country’s culture and history, “says Slover. Whether it was trending or not, they were destined to end up in Japan.
For every couple like Slover and Featherstone, some arrived at the destination with slightly less precision—yet, after narrowing down their options, Japan emerged as the clear winner.
“We didn’t want a traditional honeymoon, so before settling on Japan, we considered remote destinations with cultural elements beyond the beach, such as Madagascar, Fiji, Oman, and Zambia,” says Lindsay Stein, a travel writer and director of media relations at The Decker/Royal Agency. Last April, her honeymoon trip lasted 10 days in Tokyo and Kyoto during the cherry blossom season, and it turned out to be just that.
Between overnight stays at the Hoshinoya hotels and Garrya Nijo Castle in Kyoto (where it is said that the hotels were a highlight), they drew upon every cultural reference point in various neighborhoods of the two cities: Tokyo’s Akihabara (nicknamed ‘electric town’, “it felt like we were in a video game”) and Harajuku districts, as well as the izakaya-laden Golden Gai; then the geisha district of Gion Higashiyama in Kyoto and Nishiki market.
Stein says, “I was super surprised by the number of people messaging me during my honeymoon to tell me they were also doing a Japan honeymoon this year.” “Social media probably has a significant impact on this.” (So you know, she has been posting a lot of TikToks on her feed about why Japan is worth a visit this year.)
A more personal variant is the extensive word-of-mouth promotion, which has grown exponentially as more tourists jump on the bandwagon. The concept of Japan-for-your-honeymoon is undergoing a significant game of telephone, which partly inspired Ashley Phillips Aghajanian, an attorney in Los Angeles (whom I attended college with). Phillips Aghajanian states, “My sister and her husband also spent their honeymoon in Japan, so our choice was influenced by how much they enjoyed their trip.”
Ultimately, she and her husband Mark opted for Japan over other options such as an African safari, Italy, and France. Last November, they spent four days in Tokyo and three in Kyoto, with a beach stop in Hawaii while traveling from the West Coast. They settled in at the Hoshinoya in Tokyo and then at the Kanamean Nishitomiya Ryokan in Kyoto. Phillips Aghajanian was convinced by the glitzy bars in Ginza, lunch at Gyukatsu Motomura, and the Hunter X Hunter exhibit at the Mori Art Museum (the manga series is the couple’s favorite TV show). “More people ought to consider Japan a honeymoon destination,” she states.
Executing it correctly
Given Japan’s many offerings, determining the precise itinerary and style of a honeymoon is a skill. Nevertheless, travel professionals such as Zuleta and deBell have gained insights from the various clients they have assisted.
Zuleta states, “The primary locations will be Tokyo and Kyoto, and hotel selections along with indulging in some exceptional private experiences will enhance the honeymoon aspect.” These would be extraordinary meals and exclusive culinary adventures for those who love food. If they have sufficient time, they should experience a remarkable ryokan, such as Asaba on the Izu Peninsula, Takefue in Kyushu, or Zaburin in Hokkaido.” Another well-liked location among Zuleta’s clientele is Naoshima Art Island, situated in the Seto Inland Sea. Seasonality holds great importance in Japan, as deBell points out, particularly with events such as the cherry blossom season (from late March to April) and fall foliage.
This growing interest has made planning even more vital, as is no surprise. „Wir weisen jetzt Leute ab, weil die Nachfrage so groß ist und wir nicht die Einzigen sind“, sagt Zuleta. “I have many other friends who operate small travel businesses, and I was surprised to learn they are doing the same. Plan further ahead than you believe is necessary.
As more couples postpone their honeymoons, Brides’ Duffy notes that many are waiting months or even a year after the wedding—it’s essential to allow extra time for bookings, securing desired reservations, and conducting thorough research. Thanks to the cushion, there will also be additional time to save.
Im Vergleich zu vielen anderen Orten weltweit handelt es sich um ein kostspieliges Ziel, und seit der Wiedereröffnung Japans im vergangenen Jahr sind die Preise gestiegen“, erklärt Zuleta. But don’t allow it to frighten you away entirely. “Our exchange rate remains quite advantageous for us as dollar earners, and one could even argue that this isn’t the priciest location in Asia; Without a doubt, Scandinavia is pricier. The truth is that your expenses in Tokyo will likely match those in New York, meaning it’s not exactly inexpensive; however, it’s not as costly as many believe.”
Maybe this is why, in 2023, Japan became a beloved honeymoon destination. There’s no better excuse to indulge in a memorable experience than saying, “Well, it is our honeymoon.”