Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako have received praise from royal fans for traveling by public transportation.
The Japanese royals were traveling to Gifu Prefecture on Monday to attend national cultural festivals and were filmed walking through Tokyo Station.
In a video that has racked up more than 10 million views on social media, the Emperor and Empress are seen greeting the public as they head to the Shinkansen, the Japanese bullet train.
One viewer wrote on
‘It was a great experience…’
Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako received praise from royal fans for traveling on public transportation
In a video that has accumulated more than 10 million views on social media, the Emperor and Empress are seen greeting the public.
Another said: ‘I got off at Gifu-Hashima station and there was a high level of security at the station. I heard that the Emperor and Empress were there, so the station was very lively.
Masako, 60, looked elegant in a tan suit and matching clutch, perfectly complementing her 64-year-old husband.
However, the appearance baffled the British, with one writing: “Imagine Charles and Camilla getting off at London Euston”;
“I couldn’t see Charles running down the Euston concourse because the train changed platforms and there are 1,000 other people running with you.”
Others took to social media to praise the royals for making the two-hour journey by public transport, rather than opting for the Imperial train.
They wrote: ‘I am really proud that we live in a country where the Emperor can walk safely among the people with a big smile on his face;
“It’s surprising, the Imperial Family has such an aura.”
The couple made the two-hour bullet train ride from Tokyo to Gifu-Hashima Station to attend the opening ceremony of the 39th National Cultural Festival and the 24th National Festival of Art and Culture for People with Disabilities.
While royal fans were delighted by the appearance, bewildered Brits couldn’t imagine it for King Charles and Queen Camilla.
At the beginning of the ceremony, the couple offered prayers for the victims of the January 1 earthquake and recent flooding in Noto.
On Tuesday they will visit the Gifu-Kakamigahara Air and Space Museum before returning to Tokyo in the afternoon.
Imperial royalty are often said to opt for the Shinkansen, and also used it last month with their daughter, Princess Aiko, for an autumn retreat at the Nasu Imperial Villa.
In July, the Japanese royals made headlines for their state visit to the United Kingdom, where they were received by King Charles and Queen Camilla.
During their visit, they attended a state banquet and saw the red carpet rolled out for them, before the king and queen bid them a fond farewell.