Crown prince, princess visit Emperor Jinmu’s tomb

Jiji Press

14:55 JST, April 22, 2022

KASHIHARA, Nara (Jiji Press) — Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko on Friday visited the mausoleum of Emperor Jinmu, Japan’s first Emperor, in Kashihara, Nara Prefecture.

The couple reported the completion in 2020 of the “Rikkoshi-no-Rei” ceremonies, which proclaimed the Crown Prince’s rise to first in line to the throne following the enthronement of his older brother, Emperor Naruhito, in 2019.

Crown Prince Akishino, wearing a tailcoat, and Crown Princess Kiko, in a grey dress, walked toward the mausoleum, made “tamagushi” Shinto ritual offerings and gave prayers.

The couple arrived in the city of Ise in Mie Prefecture, which neighbors Nara, on Wednesday and visited Ise Jingu, a major Shinto shrine, on the following day to report the completion of the Rikkoshi-no-Rei ceremonies.

Later on Friday, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess will move to Kyoto Prefecture, which also neighbors Nara, and visit the mausoleums of Emperor Komei and Emperor Meiji.

The couple will return to Tokyo by air on Saturday.