KYOTO — Ted Taylor, 40, a native of New Mexico, was not planning on going to a farewell party held for someone he had never met. He was planning to return to Tottori Prefecture on that day in April 2006.

But a few encouraging words from his roommate pushed him to attend the party held in Kyoto where he met Miki Matsumoto, a shiatsu instructor — his future bride.

At first, Ted, a yoga teacher, felt lost in a pool of people he hardly knew until he sat next to Miki.