Japanese Emperor and Empress spend summer at Nasu Imperial Villa

Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and Princess Aiko arrived at the Nasu Imperial Villa in Tochigi Prefecture on 15 July for a seasonal retreat. The family dressed in Okinawan‑style “kariyushi” clothing and toured the villa’s gardens, noting the natural beauty that Emperor Showa once described as “nature alive.”

During the stay they visited the nearby Nasu Animal Kingdom, watching a bird‑show and trying a camel‑riding experience. The Emperor used a smartphone to photograph the raptors, while the Empress and Emperor coordinated matching pastel shirts, a habit the couple often employs. The visit coincided with the centennial of the villa’s original construction in 1926, a fact highlighted by the Imperial family.

The retreat followed a June state visit to the Netherlands and Belgium, and the family returned to Tokyo on 24 July (Princess Aiko) and 27 July (the Emperor and Empress).