I’ve had a lot of people wondering about how I proposed to my amazing girlfriend Kanako, so I thought I’d write a post and share it with everyone all at once.

I proposed on Christmas Eve at her favorite sushi restaurant about two blocks from Yokosuka-chuo train station. We had a nice romantic Christmas Even meal, and as it came to a close I asked for crab salad, which was the signal that one of sushi chefs was to put the ring I’d previously given him on the conveyer belt going around the restaurant. If you haven’t been to a conveyer belt sushi joint, the chef makes a selection of sushi and puts it on a conveyer belt that goes in front of every table so customers can choose what they want. Of course I had him put it close enough to us that no one else could grab it

Before it got to our table I said, “I think I’m done ordering off the menu, but if something I like comes on the belt I think I’ll grab it.” Just then the ring came by on a plate by itself. I asked her, “Do you think you can get that for me?” She was in shock and didn’t know what to think. Eventually she grabbed the plate with the ring on it, I took the ring, got down on one knee and proposed to her. All the lights in the restaurant went dark except for the light right above our table. She kept asking, “Really? This isn’t a joke?” and finally she said yes. The people at the tables around ours (I didn’t know this until later) were staged friend of the sushi chef and they were all armed with party poppers. As soon as she said yes and started hugging me they all cracked their poppers, clapped, and started shouting “Omedetou gozaimasu!” which means “Congratulations!” A waiter brought out a strawberry cake with candles on top and we blew them out to another round of clapping and congratulatory shouts.

Needless to say, she was completely blown away. She kept giving me her big surprised expression, so I think my mission of catching her off guard was accomplished.

Anyway, I’m really happy that now I can spend my life with such an amazing girl. Those of you who live here in Japan know how great she is, and for those of you who haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Kanako, she’ll be coming for a visit in late February - early March. As for now, our plans are to get legally married this summer, and start her immigration paperwork. Once she’s cleared to live in the states with me (takes between 3 to 6 months), we’ll have a wedding sometime around this time next year. Thanks for all of your kind words and support in this very big step in my life!

Here’s a video of Kanako’s reaction