An imperial messenger and other palace officials approach the Grand Shrines of Ise in Mie Prefecture on May 10 to report the dates of enthronement-related ceremonies for Emperor Naruhito. | KYODO

National

Japan's new imperial couple to visit Grand Shrines of Ise and ancestors' mausoleums later this year

Kyodo

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are scheduled to visit the Grand Shrines of Ise in Mie Prefecture and mausoleums of previous monarchs by the end of this year as part of the rituals marking the imperial succession.

Following the Nov. 14-15 Daijosai offering ceremony, a key rite performed by a new emperor once during his reign, the imperial couple will visit the shrines on Nov. 22 and 23 to report the emperor’s enthronement to the ancestral deities of the imperial family enshrined there.

The Grand Shrines of Ise are believed to enshrine Amaterasu Omikami, the Shinto sun goddess and the mythical ancestral deity of the imperial family, as well as Toyouke no Omikami, the deity and guardian of food, housing and clothing as well as businesses.

Sayako Kuroda, the emperor’s younger sister, who left the imperial household after marrying a commoner in 2005, currently serves as supreme priestess of the shrines.

On Nov. 27 and 28, the emperor and the empress will visit the mausoleums of the legendary first leader, Emperor Jimmu, as well as Emperor Komei, who reigned in the 19th century, and Emperor Meiji in Nara and Kyoto prefectures.

On Dec. 3, they will travel to the mausoleums of Emperor Taisho and Emperor Showa, great-grandfather and grandfather of Emperor Naruhito, in Hachioji, western Tokyo.

The couple will hold a tea party Nov. 28 at the Kyoto Imperial Palace, inviting representatives of various circles in western Japan.

GET THE BEST OF THE JAPAN TIMES
IN FIVE EASY PIECES WITH TAKE 5

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

LATEST NATIONAL STORIES

Reporters stand on a road in Haninohe, Aomori Prefecture, where a girl was assaulted by a random attacker with a knife on Tuesday evening.

14-year-old boy confesses to slashing schoolgirl's throat in northeastern Japan attack: A 14-year-old boy who was arrested for allegedly slashing an elementary school girl in Aomori Prefecture has admitted that he intended to kill her in the apparently random attack, police said Wedne...

A police officer pins down a student during a clash with protesters and police at the Chinese University in Hong Kong on Tuesday. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told reporters in Tokyo a Japanese man was injured amid the escalating protest and received treatment at a hospital.

Japanese man injured in Hong Kong protest: A Japanese man was injured amid escalating protests in Hong Kong on Monday, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi revealed Tuesday. The man, in his 50s, received treatment and has already b...

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks during a joint news conference with U.S. President Donald Trump at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo on May 27.

Japanese Lower House approval of U.S. trade deal to be delayed: The ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito has given up on plans to pass a recently signed trade deal with the United States through the House of Representatives by the end of...