Elegant international couple during their refined Japanese wedding ceremony in Hokkaido, standing gracefully in natural light at the shrine.

A traditional japanese wedding in Hokkaido – A winter celebration.

Under the soft winter light of Hokkaido, Yuka and Julien celebrated their wedding in the purest Japanese tradition. Surrounded by their French and Japanese families – and friends who had travelled from all over the world – they crafted a day filled with serenity, refinement, and deep cultural meaning.

Traditional red and white fabric decorations hanging at Hokkaido Shrine on a winter wedding day.
Snow-covered pine branches in the winter light at Hokkaido Shrine during a traditional Japanese wedding.
Wooden lantern on the exterior of a Shinto shrine in Hokkaido before the wedding ceremony.

Graceful preparations and traditional attire

The day began with calm, meticulous preparations. Every traditional element – from the bride’s shiromuku (the long-sleeved white kimono), to the obijime belt, and the sumptuous uchikake coat she wore over it – reflected the depth and symbolism of Japanese bridal attire.
She completed her ensemble with the watabōshi, the iconic white hood worn during Shinto ceremonies, adding an aura of purity and elegance to the morning.

The groom wore a montsuki hakama, another emblem of tradition and refinement.
The quiet atmosphere, the delicate gestures, and the timeless beauty of their clothing set the tone for a deeply meaningful celebration.

Winter view of Hokkaido Shrine’s wooden entrance and roof before a traditional Shinto wedding ceremony.
Close-up of the bride in a white shiromuku kimono adjusting her earring during her Japanese wedding preparations.
Close-up of a gold tassel detail on traditional Japanese wedding attire worn during a Shinto ceremony.
The bride being helped to put on her traditional watabōshi hood during Shinto wedding preparations in Hokkaido.
Close-up of tassels and embroidered details on the bride’s white shiromuku wedding kimono.
Hands adjusting the groom’s traditional montsuki hakama during wedding preparations.
The groom seated in traditional montsuki hakama, showing the details of his wedding attire during preparations.
Elegant bride during a refined winter wedding in Hokkaido, standing in soft natural light in traditional attire.
Refined international couple during their elegant Japanese wedding in Hokkaido, standing together in the wooden corridor.
Elegant wedding couple at the entrance of Hokkaido Shrine during a refined destination wedding celebration.
Elegant couple during their luxury winter destination wedding in snowy Hokkaido, Japan.

A sacred Shinto ceremony at Hokkaido shrine

Their wedding continued within the peaceful grounds of Hokkaido Jingu, the oldest and most revered Shinto shrine in Hokkaido. Guided by the priest’s rituals, the ceremony honored centuries-old customs and the spiritual connection between the couple, their families, and the divine.

The most sacred moment, the san-san-kudo, sealed their commitment: three shared sips of sake from three ceremonial cups — a powerful symbol of fidelity, harmony, and lasting happiness.

Following the ceremony, the celebration moved to Elm Garden, a traditional Japanese venue offering beautifully curated wedding experiences. A refined reception, exquisite seasonal cuisine, and a change of attire for the bride added rhythm and elegance to the evening.

Bride and groom smiling during a formal moment of their Shinto wedding ceremony in Hokkaido.
Miko priestess leading the elegant Japanese wedding ceremony inside a Shinto shrine in Hokkaido.
Close-up of the official document signed during the traditional Shinto wedding ceremony in Hokkaido.
Shinto priest performing a traditional purification ritual during an elegant wedding ceremony in Hokkaido.
International couple bowing during their refined Japanese Shinto wedding ceremony in Hokkaido.
Elegant international couple sharing sake during the traditional san-san-kudo ritual in their Shinto wedding ceremony.
Japanese bride surrounded by miko priestesses during a refined Shinto wedding ceremony in Hokkaido.
Elegant international couple taking part in a traditional ritual inside a Japanese Shinto shrine in Hokkaido.
Refined Japanese bride seated inside the Shinto shrine during an elegant winter wedding ceremony in Hokkaido.
Detail of the san-san-kudo ritual with the couple’s hands exchanging ceremonial sake during their elegant Japanese wedding.
Snow-covered Japanese garden in Hokkaido, captured during an elegant winter destination wedding.
Authentic Japanese wedding moment with a guest entering through a noren curtain in snowy Hokkaido.
Refined wedding reception scene with guests and family sharing a moment during an elegant celebration in Hokkaido.
Bride making a refined evening entrance with her father during an elegant destination wedding reception in Japan.
Elegant moment of the bride and groom cutting their wedding cake during a warm and joyful reception in Hokkaido.
lack-and-white photograph of the groom giving a speech during an elegant wedding reception in Japan.

A union between cultures, tradition and modernity

This intimate winter wedding in the far north of Japan celebrated not only Yuka and Julien’s love, but also the union of two cultures.
A delicate, refined, and deeply timeless day – where ancestral gestures met modern elegance in the snowy beauty of Hokkaido.

Elegant black-and-white portrait of the bride wearing traditional Japanese wedding attire.
Soft snow resting on delicate winter branches in Hokkaido during an elegant destination wedding.
Editorial black-and-white portrait of the groom in traditional Japanese wedding attire in Hokkaido.
Elegant international couple walking through the snow during their refined Japanese wedding in Hokkaido.
Frozen river surrounded by deep snow in Hokkaido, photographed during a refined winter destination wedding.
Elegant international couple standing in the snow under a red traditional umbrella during their Japanese wedding in Hokkaido.
Scenic winter view of Sapporo covered in snow, captured during an elegant destination wedding in Hokkaido.
Hands tying the obi during the bride’s traditional Japanese wedding preparations.
Snow-covered evergreen branch in Hokkaido, adding delicate winter detail to an elegant Japanese wedding day.

To discover more about this beautiful celebration, visit the feature on Le Blog de Madame C