Business · Companies · 3 hrs ago
Israeli Couple Holds Shinto Wedding in Japan
Israeli couple Gil Hason and Niv Yohanok married in Japan at Nawa Shrine in Daisen, Tottori Prefecture.
They exchanged vows in Hebrew in a Shinto ceremony overlooking the Sea of Japan.
Yohanok did not want a wedding ritual in Israel that he felt did not fit the couple’s values, and both had an interest in Japan.
They chose a ceremony that brought together Israeli and Japanese cultures, including mochi-making and matcha tea.
The couple said translating and speaking their vows in Hebrew helped them understand their meaning more deeply.
Japan sees overseas weddings as a potential growth market, even as its population falls, because destination weddings are popular with wealthy travelers.
The market is expected to expand, and such ceremonies in Japan are often called inbound weddings.
Israeli couple Gil Hason and Niv Yohanok held a Shinto wedding at Nawa Shrine in Daisen, Tottori Prefecture, on Sept. 16, 2026.
They exchanged vows in Hebrew at the shrine overlooking the Sea of Japan.
Yohanok said a ritual in Jewish weddings felt as if it looked down on women and did not fit the couple’s way of life.
The couple chose Japan after learning of another Israeli couple’s wedding there and sharing an interest in the country.
Their wedding included Japanese cultural experiences such as mochi rice cake making and matcha tea.
- Who
- Israeli couple Gil Hason, 34, and Niv Yohanok, 33.
- What
- They held a Shinto wedding and exchanged vows in Hebrew.
- When
- Sept. 16, 2026.
- Where
- Nawa Shrine in Daisen, Tottori Prefecture, Japan.
- Why
- They chose Japan because they wanted a ceremony that suited their way of life and shared an interest in the country.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Hason and Yohanok met in Tel Aviv and later traveled to Japan together.
The couple agreed that Japan was where they wanted to hold their wedding.
They exchanged vows in Hebrew at Nawa Shrine in Daisen, Tottori Prefecture.
They held a banquet for two at a traditional restaurant in a 120-year-old house.
- Couple
- Gil Hason, 34, and Niv Yohanok, 33
- Ceremony date
- Sept. 16, 2026
- Shrine
- Nawa Shrine, Daisen, Tottori Prefecture
- Vow language
- Hebrew
- Banquet venue
- A traditional restaurant in a 120-year-old house
What people are saying
You are like this tourmaline stone to me. You always guide me to be calm and positive.
I will always be by your side so you can lean on my shoulder anytime