Recruiting One Couple for the First-Ever Wedding at Kobe's Historical Building 'Hyogo Prefectural Guesthouse'

The Kobe Wedding Council (Chuo-ku, Kobe), which is working to revitalize Kobe through weddings, and Hyogo Prefecture will recruit one couple limited to hold a wedding ceremony at the Hyogo Prefectural Guesthouse (Chuo-ku, Kobe), a historical building in Kobe, on Saturday, October 10, 2026. This ceremony assumes a non-religious, public wedding style (Jinzen-shiki), and aims to lead to the revitalization of the entire region by communicating the cultural value of the building and the charm of weddings. Furthermore, a wedding ceremony at this building, which has walked the path of a state guesthouse, will be a first-ever trial implementation. About the Hyogo Prefectural Guesthouse The Hyogo Prefectural Guesthouse was constructed in 1902 as the 4th Hyogo Prefectural Government Office building and is a historical Western-style building that has survived three crises: war damage, aging, and earthquakes. It possesses a space that combines warmth with the formality of a modern Western-style building built in the Meiji era, and is registered as a national tangible cultural property. Currently, it is used as a state guesthouse for Hyogo Prefecture to receive domestic and international guests, and as a venue for ceremonies, as well as being utilized as a filming location for many movies and dramas. The interior inherits the Meiji Renaissance style carefully, from the fixtures such as the handrails of the stairs and the panelling of the wainscoting to the furniture, lighting fixtures, curtains, and down to every single piece of metal fittings, creating an internal space that gently embraces visitors while letting them feel history. Renaissance style, semi-circular arched windows Ceiling, walls, all made of solid Zelkova wood *All from the official Hyogo Prefecture website Address: 4-4-1 Shimoyamate-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-8567 Hyogo Prefecture Official Website Guesthouse Page: https://web.pref.hyogo.lg.jp/kk02/ac01_000000026.html Background of this Initiative At the Hyogo Prefectural Guesthouse, in order to pass on historical architecture and cultural assets to the future, we have been considering possibilities for utilization that lead not only to preservation but also to modern life and creating vibrancy in the city. As one of these uses, we focused on the "wedding ceremony," which is a milestone in the life of prefectural residents and creates a warm scene of blessing in the city. This initiative was realized because both parties resonated with the desire to convey the cultural value of the guesthouse and the charm of Kobe to more people through weddings. We look forward to applications from those who support this initiative. Overview of the Wedding at the Guesthouse Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026 Number of recruits: 1 couple Ceremony style: Public wedding (Jinzen-shiki) Venue: Hyogo Prefectural Guesthouse, 3rd Floor South Lobby Number of attendees: Approximately 40 Included in the wedding Public wedding ceremony (Celebrant, live musicians, marriage certificate, altar flowers) 1 Dress, 1 Tuxedo Bride's Western style hair and makeup Artificial bouquet and boutonniere Attendant 200 photo data cuts (1st floor lobby front stairs, south lobby, various rooms) Wedding produce *The couple will not be responsible for the cost of the complete set of contents above. *Additional charges may apply depending on the design of the costume or products selected. *Additional orders for desired products are possible. *If desired, guidance on holding a reception or dinner at nearby facilities is also available. Organizer: Kobe Wedding Council Hyogo Prefectural Guesthouse 3rd Floor South Lobby About the Application Application Conditions - Both or either the bride and groom must be residents of Hyogo Prefecture and reside in the prefecture after the ceremony. - Agreeing that the prefecture and the Kobe Wedding Council will use wedding photos, videos, etc., as PR media. - Being able to respond to media coverage and interviews. - Agreeing that visitors to the guesthouse can freely observe the wedding ceremony, as the wedding will be held while the guesthouse is open to the public. *If there are many applications, the Kobe Wedding Council will make a selection based on understanding of the purpose of this project and feelings toward the wedding. Application Method Please fill in the required items from the form below and apply. Application Form: https://pro.form-mailer.jp/lp/4f049fe4348852 Applications are welcome not only from those who are planning to get married, but also from those who have not been able to have a wedding for various reasons. Application Deadline By the end of Sunday, May 31, 2026 *Because this project is limited to 1 couple, it may end even within the period depending on the application status. Image of the wedding ceremony and photography *The photos in this press release are for illustrative purposes. About the Kobe Wedding Council A private organization born with the purpose of further enhancing the potential of Kobe's wedding industry, stimulating Kobe's wedding demand, improving Kobe's image, and attracting a wide range of visitors under the cooperation of industry, academia, citizens, and government. Projects include the "Kobe Wedding Queen" to promote Kobe weddings, and the operation of the "Kobe Landmark Wedding" to hold weddings at Kobe tourist spots, etc.