Japan Emperor, Empress Attend 73rd National Tree Planting Festival

The Yomiuri Shimbun

13:47 JST, June 3, 2023

The Emperor and Empress arrived in Iwate Prefecture on Saturday morning to attend the 73rd National Tree Planting Festival.

The visit marks their first post-enthronement trip to areas ravaged by the devastating 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. The last time they attended the festival was in June 2019.

The Imperial couple were scheduled to attend the festival’s official ceremony on Sunday, then return to Tokyo.

Locals in Tsunami-hit Area of Japan Hope Imperial Couple Visit Will Spur More Greenery