スピッツ & 何畅

Mathew & Jen

Mathew and Jen are getting married!

After 10 years, we want to invite all of you to join us on an adventure at our wedding. We wish to share with everyone a special part of ours lives by creating a unique experience of the things we love in Japan.

We’ve created this website as a convenient and interactive way to share all of the important details with you in the lead up to our wedding. We have included all the information about our wedding and suggestions for other activities for you to enjoy when in Japan.

Wedding Details

 

We are excited to welcome all of you to a three night celebration of our marriage in Japan. The celebration will take place at Asaba Ryokan in Shuzenji; however, we expect most guests will elect to spend a few days in Tokyo before or after coming to Shuzenji. We have provided a section about Tokyo with our recommendations to help you plan your trip.

Below are all the details on our wedding and information on how to get there. Accommodations will be provided for all guests at Asaba for 3 nights from October 1st through 4th.

 
 

Highlights

WhatMathew and Jennifer's Wedding
WhenOctober 1-4, 2019
WhereAsaba Ryokan 3450-1 Shuzenji, Izu-shi, Shizuoka 410-2416, Japan
HowOdoriko 115 Train from Tokyo Station at 12:00PM to Shuzenji Station
 

Travel

There are several way to get to Asaba Ryokan from Tokyo. We recommend taking the Odoriko 115 train from Tokyo station. It is a direct line to Shuzenji with no transfers. We have arranged transportation from the station to Asaba for those who take the Odoriko 115.

However you travel, please arrive no later than 5:00PM on October 1st.

  • Easiest Route (Recommended) (Map)
    Take the Odoriko 115 train from Tokyo Station to Shuzenji Station. The train on October 1st leaves Tokyo station at 12:00 and arrives in Shuzenji at 14:06. We have arranged transportation for guests to Asaba Ryokan. (2 hours 6 minutes on train and 20 minute taxi to the onsen)

  • Fastest Route (Map)
    Take the Tokaido Shinkansen towards Nagoya (several times a day). Exit at Mishima Station and transfer to the Izu Hakone Sunzu Line towards Shuzenji. Take a taxi from the station to Asaba Ryokan.

Trains in Japan do not have a lot of luggage space so we recommend packing a small luggage piece for the 3 nights of the wedding. Most of the day, and while sleeping, you can wear the provided Yukata (traditional Japanese robe). To make travel easier, your hotel in Tokyo can store any extra luggage for you or luggage can be stored at Tokyo Station. If you wish to have your larger luggage for your stay at Asaba but wish to travel without your luggage, there are several luggage shipping services that can be arranged through your hotel concierge.

Dress

The dress for day 1 and 2 are casual clothes or yukata. Yukata are provided by Asaba and can be worn around the property and in town as well. It also acceptable to wear western casual clothes; however, you may not wear shoes on the tatami (rice straw) flooring throughout Asaba.

On day 2 we will be having a traditional Japanese dinner and encourage everyone to wear the provided Yukata to dinner.

For the ceremony and reception, the dress is formal Japanese or formal Western. For those interested, there are Kimono rentals available in Shuzenji at Machinavi Yururi. For information on Kimono etiquette please visit JPEtiquette.

Schedule

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Day 1

02:06 PM Arrive Shuzenji Station (if you take Odoriko 115)

02:15 PM Transfer to Asaba

02:30PM Check-in

05:00PM Cocktails on patio

Welcome Day

On the first day, you will arrive in Shuzenji and check-in to Asaba ryokan. Ryokan are traditional Japanese lodgings which have existed for 1200 years. Asaba is 510 years old, originally built to house the monks of the Soto sect. Asaba is traditionally built with tatami floors (rice straw) and shoji (paper walls). Asaba also contains five onsen (hot spring baths) one for men, one for women, an outdoor bath that alternates between men and women, and two private onsen.

We will enjoy cocktails on the patio overlooking the noh stage (Japanese theatre) at 5 pm. After, you will enjoy a traditional kaiseki meal served in your room. We invite you to take some time to enjoy a soak in the onsen before or after dinner to relax.

 
 
 
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Day 2

08:00 AM Breakfast

10:15 AM Meet in Lobby

10:30 AM Bus to tea picking

11:00 AM Pick fresh tea leaves

12:30 PM Lunch

07:00 PM Traditional Kaiseki Banquet Dinner

Tea, beer and Adventure

Day two is a crash course in Japanese culture. All guests will have a wonderful day of picking your own green tea and lunch with local micro-brewery beer.

Once we finish tea picking, everyone will have a free afternoon to explore the town of Shuzenji or relax at the onsen. In the evening we will have a traditional Kaiseki dinner together. Kaiseki is a multi-course meal of local ingredients served as a set of individual dishes prepared to best highlight the natural flavours. It is a large meal so prepare your appetite during your afternoon adventures!

 
 
 
 

Day 3

8:00 AM Breakfast

2:30 PM Mass

3:30 PM Depart for reception

4:00 PM Cocktails

5:00 PM Dinner

8:00 PM Return to Asaba

8:30 PM Digestifs and Nightcaps at Asaba

Wedding Day

Day three will be our final full day together celebrating our marriage with a mass held on Asaba’s Noh stage with a reception dinner in the evening. Light snacks will be provided after mass while photos of the bride and groom are taken.

Reception dinner will be held outdoors at a nearby winery with French cuisine. Blankets and heaters will be provided if necessary. There will be no formal dance party but those who wish to dance can bring their dancing shoes!

After dinner a bar service will be setup in the salon at Asaba to end the evening.