Proposing during your trip to Japan is a beautiful way to elevate the occasion by setting it in a special location during a memorable trip together with your partner. With a bit of planning and help from local musicians and photographers, you can make this a reality.
I’m a Tokyo-based, classically trained violinist and composer who performs a wide range of genres including anime music and pop music.
With experience performing at proposals in the United States, Europe, and Japan, I’ve performed for both locals and visitors from all over the world, preparing song requests that range from anime film tracks to contemporary Turkish and Mandopop.
As a composer, I take great care in adapting your song selections to the violin by writing custom musical arrangements that capture the essence of the original song.
The area around Tokyo Tower is a perfect place to propose, offering scenic areas as well views of one of the most iconic structures in Japan. There are a few locations in this area that I would recommend. The first is Prince Shiba Park. In the southwest area of the park, there is a circular green area with a great view of the tower. In the northwest area (near exit A6 of Onarimon Station) there is a walkway that takes you towards the tower, which would also be a great location. Just across the street towards the west of Prince Shiba Park, there is an area called Momiji-dani, which is a foresty area that can also be a nice choice.
Chidorigafuchi Green Way is a walkway on the opposite side of the Imperial Palace with lots of sakura trees and a view of the water surrounding the palace. If you are visiting Tokyo during sakura season around late March or the beginning of April, you'll be able to propose among the sakura blossoms in full bloom! There is an area that is nicely lit at night when there are fewer people around, if you are interested in proposing after dark.
Showa Kinen Park takes you away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo into the Tachikawa neighborhood. The park is huge and filled with beautiful scenery.
Yoyogi Park is a large green space just a short walk from Shibuya and Meiji Jingu. This is a picturesque, yet casual location that's great for photos and music.
Shinjuku Gyouen is a beautiful, Japanese garden in Shinjuku, Tokyo. The park offers multiple great locations for proposing. Shinjuku Gyouen requires an entrance fee and is staffed during morning hours. Because music is technically not allowed in the park, I would recommend planning for a short performance in the afternoon when the park is less likely to be monitored. There is also a small covered area which can serve as a backup in case of rain.
The Mt. Fuji area offers some of the most iconic and picturesque natural scenes in all of Japan. There are many places to propose in the area, including several parks that surround Lake Kawaguchiko.
Yoyogi Park is a large green space just a short walk from Shibuya and Meiji Jingu. This is a picturesque, yet casual location that's great for photos and music.
Booking a venue for the proposal can provide a sense of security that is difficult to find in a public space. Felice Garden Hibiya offers a beautiful garden that's casually accessible from the park outside, and well as an indoor chapel area with great acoustics that enhance the music. Felice Garden does require booking the whole venue regardless of the type of event, however, it is definitely worth inquiring if you are looking for an extra bit of assurance while planning your proposal in Tokyo.
Tokyo is a massive city with many unique locations to offer. If you have other ideas for where to propose, feel free to let me know and we can work together to make it happen. Other locations in Japan may be possible, but minimum performance length and travel costs may apply.
There are a few logistics involved in planning a surprise proposal.
Due to the nature of the surprise, I understand that proposals may not start exactly at the planned time. To accomodate this, I always arrive at the location 30 minutes early and leave open a 1 hour time frame from the official start time, in case things run late. This allows me to be flexible in light of any unexpected changes.
Selecting a song that is meaningful to you and your partner will make the proposal extra special and memorable. I am happy to learn any song that you would like, or recommend one from those that I've performed in the past. Feel free to browse my song list on my GigHeaven profile.
Looking the part is an important aspect of the service I offer. If you have any preferences as to what I wear while performing, please let me know. I can accomodate anything from a casual look that blends with the surroundings to a tuxedo that elevates the occasion.
I request my clients to send me two text messages in the moments leading up to the proposal. The first one is to let me know that you are approaching the location (around 5 minutes away). At this point, I take my violin out of the case and am ready to play. The second message is to let me know to begin playing. I recommend live location sharing on WhatsApp or Messenger to help this process go smoothly.
I can pretend to be a street performer at first, so I am already playing as you approach. You and your partner can arrive and listen for a moment, then you can get down on one knee to propose. I can either continue the same song, or I can change songs at this moment. I will continue to play for a couple of minutes and find a good stopping point, adjusting the timing appropriately.
I can hide near the location, perhaps behind a tree or a bush. If there is photographer involved, I could pretend to be part of a photoshoot. When you arrive, I will come out of hiding and start playing your requested song. At that moment, you get down on one knee to propose.
It is also possible to extend the proposal into a longer occasion. After you propose, I can continue to play music in the background as you have your photo session with the photographer. You could even arrange a picnic with background music. For longer events, I can recommend excellent photographers and proposal planners that can help with bring everything together and capture the moment.
There are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that the proposal goes smoothly. Japan is more restrictive about performing music in public spaces, compared to places like the US or Europe. In public parks in the city, it is best to keep performances short (5-15 minutes depending on the location). In parks outside of the city, such as those near Mt. Fuji or Showa Kinen Park, longer performances are possible.
I can recommend photographers and proposal planners that can help with coordination.
Because most proposals take place outdoors, it is important to keep an eye on the weather. The violin is sensitive to moisture and extreme temperatures. In Tokyo, I am able to perform outdoors between March-November, which avoids the coldest part of the year. In terms of precipitation, even the smallest amount of rain can cause water damage to the violin. Some locations may have a covered area that can shield from the rain. If there is no covered area and there is a high chance of rain, waiting until the rain stops, or rescheduling may be necessary. I keep a close eye on the weather on the days leading up to the proposal and will communicate with you about potential schedule changes.
Payment can be made on the day of the proposal in cash (Japanese Yen). I also take Paypay (Japanese payment app), or Venmo/Paypal for those visiting from the United States.