Princess Mako on Tuesday visited sanctuaries that enshrine the imperial family's ancestors to offer prayers privately ahead of her controversy-hit marriage to partner Kei Komuro, scheduled next week.
Princess Mako, a niece of Emperor Naruhito, made the visit to the Imperial Palace Sanctuaries as she will skip the traditional wedding ceremonies, amid public unease over the planned marriage due to a financial dispute involving Komuro's mother.
The traditional ceremonies associated with imperial family members' weddings include a rite at Kashikodokoro, a shrine among the sanctuaries that is dedicated to the Shinto sun goddess Amaterasu.