Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited the National Arbor Festival. (Image via Nikkei)

Imperial Couple in Aichi for National Arbor Festival

TOKYO – Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako did their first duty outside Tokyo, since the emperor ascended the throne, on Saturday. The imperial couple went to Aichi Prefecture and greeted by the local residents. They rode a bullet train from Tokyo to Aichi Prefecture, to attend the National Arbor Festival in Owariasahi on Sunday.

The National Arbor Festival is one of the main festivals that the emperor must attend. Not only The National Arbor Festival, the couple is going to attend National Sports Festival and the Festival for the Cherished Sea. The attendance of these festivals is actually an activity that the previous emperor, Emperor Akihito did. Therefore, Emperor Naruhito must do the same thing as what Emperor Akihito did starting from April 30, after Emperor’s Akihito’s abdication.

There were two agendas on Saturday. First off, the couple visited a facility in Ama, which they can see the city’s traditional craft of cloisonné enamelwork. After that, they went to a reception at a hotel in Nagoya, for the National Arbor Festival.

There are also two agendas on Sunday. Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will attend the festival at Aichi Prefecture Forest Park in Owariasahi. The other agenda is to visit a medical facility for disabled children in Okazaki.

On the evening, the couple will return to Tokyo.

Source: https://japantoday.com/category/national/Imperial-couple-in-Aichi-for-National-Arbor-Festival