Kyoto Pre-Wedding Photoshoot Price: 11 Plans from ¥121,000

This guide is for couples who are planning a trip to Kyoto and want wedding photos in kimono, a wedding dress, or both. It explains what a pre-wedding photoshoot in Kyoto costs at Bridal Salon Pure, which sits inside The Westin Miyako Kyoto in Higashiyama. It also covers what changes the price and how to fit a photo day into your Kyoto itinerary.

How much does a pre-wedding photoshoot in Kyoto cost? All 11 plans compared

Pure has 11 plans. All prices below include tax. In every plan, the bride’s hair and makeup and the costume accessories are included. The full English price list is on our English page for international guests.

Several plans list all-cut photo data as included: the Kimono Studio Plan, Wedding Dress Studio Plan, Kyoto Townhouse Plan, Wedding Dress Location Plan, Kimono & Dress Studio Plan and Kimono & Dress Location Plan. For the photo data in other plans, please ask us when you contact us.

What changes the price? Weekends, locations and the number of outfits

Three things decide most of the cost.

• Day of the week: Saturdays, Sundays and Japanese national holidays add ¥33,000 (tax included). If your travel dates are flexible, a weekday keeps the price at the plan rate.
• Location: location shoots may cost more depending on the place you choose. Pure can shoot at places such as Daikakuji, Bishamondo, Sennyuji, Zuishin-in, Arashiyama, Gion Shirakawa, the Higashiyama area around Nene-no-michi and Ninenzaka, the Keage Incline and the Kamo River. Please ask us about the cost for each place when you contact us.
• Number of outfits: one look in the studio is the simplest option. Adding a second outfit, or mixing kimono and dress, brings you to 250+ photos and a longer day.

Kimono or wedding dress? What the Japanese bridal styles mean

Many travelers choose kimono because it feels unique to Japan. Here are the styles you will see in Pure’s plans.

• Shiromuku: an all-white bridal kimono. White is traditionally said to represent purity and a fresh start in a new family.
• Iro-uchikake: a colorful, richly embroidered over-kimono, often with cranes, flowers or other auspicious patterns. It is traditionally worn as a festive, celebratory look.
• Hikifurisode: a long-sleeved kimono with a trailing hem, a softer and more youthful bridal style.
• Montsuki: the groom’s formal black kimono with family crests, worn with hakama (pleated trousers).

If you love both, a combination plan lets you wear kimono and a Western dress on the same day. Pure works with the Kyoto dress shop Ayumi Bridal for its wedding dresses.

How do you choose the right plan for your Kyoto trip?

• Short on time or budget: the Kimono Studio Plan or Wedding Dress Studio Plan, ¥121,000 (tax included), takes 3 hours and gives you the rest of the day for sightseeing.
• Want a traditional Kyoto house with a garden: the Kyoto Townhouse (Kyo-machiya) with Garden Plan, ¥154,000 (tax included), includes the location fee and admission.
• Want temples and autumn leaves: the Kimono Location Plan or Wedding Dress Location Plan, from ¥154,000 (tax included). Location costs may differ depending on the location.
• Want both styles: the Kimono & Dress Studio Plan at ¥220,000 (tax included), or the Kimono & Dress Location Plan at ¥253,000 (tax included).

Season matters too. Kyoto’s autumn leaves usually reach their best in late autumn, and places like Bishamondo and Daikakuji turn red and gold. Winter is quieter, and cherry blossoms bloom in spring. The exact timing changes every year. For autumn ideas, read our guide to Kyoto autumn wedding photos. You can also browse the location plan list (in Japanese).

A small etiquette note for location days: temples and old streets are places of worship and daily life. Speak softly, keep paths clear for other visitors, and follow your photographer’s lead on where you can stand.

What does the photo day look like, and what should you bring?

A photo day fits into one morning and early afternoon, so you can plan dinner or an evening walk in Gion afterwards. Here are example schedules for a location day and a studio day at Pure.

Please bring tabi (Japanese split-toe socks), undergarments and towels. If packing them is difficult, Pure can prepare them for a fee. Tell your staff in advance. Makeup is provided, but you may bring your own products if you prefer. Family members are welcome to watch.