On June 15, 2013, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan arrived in Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain for a one-day visit.
Upon his arrival the future emperor was warmly greeted by the mayor as well as local officials. Soon, the crown prince was off to tour the magnificent Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela. Afterward, Crown Prince Naruhito and his delegation attended a reception where various musicians played traditional Spanish music.
On the morning of June 14, 2013, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan arrived in Coria del Río, a municipality in the province of Sevilla, Spain, for a one-day visit.
Upon his arrival the crown prince was warmly welcomed by various officials as well as hundreds of locals who cheered and clapped for the future emperor. Soon, he planted a cherry tree next to the statue of the 17th century Samurai, Hasekura Tsunenaga. In 1614, Tsunenaga arrived in Coria del Río with his delegation and thus began Japanese and Spanish relations. Anyway, after planting the lovely tree the crown prince visited the Colegio Público Vicente Neria (it’s a primary school) where he met with teachers and students who sang various songs for the future emperor of Japan.
In the afternoon, the crown prince met with the president of the Junta de Andalucía, Mr. José Antonio Griñán, at Palacio de San Telmo. Once their meeting was over the crown prince arrived at the Archivo General de Indias to officially inaugurate the exhibition, De Japón a Roma, Buscando el Sol de la Cristiandad: La Embajada de Hasekura (1613-1620). The exhibition highlights the 400 years of bilateral relations between Japan and Spain.
Crown Prince Naruhito also visit the historic city of Sevilla where he toured the Alcázar de Sevilla, met the mayor of Sevilla, and took a fun boat ride on the Guadalquivir river.
On June 13, 2013, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan visited the city of Salamanca, Spain. During today’s visit the crown prince accompanied by his delegation and the mayor of Salamanca, Mr. Fernández Mañueco, attended a reception held at the city hall where Crown Prince Naruhito received the keys to the city.
Soon, the heir to the Chrysanthemum throne visited the Universidad de Salamanca as well as the Centro Cultural Hispano-Japonés. Afterward, the crown prince toured Plaza Mayor (the main square in Salamanca) where he was warmly welcomed by hundreds of locals as well as officials.
After a visit to the Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas and the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid this morning His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Felipe of Asturias visited the Centro Principal de Control (CPC) in Majadahonda.
During their visit the crown prince and the prince examined the “…sophisticated and complex system of monitorization of all the CPC’s installations…” according to the Spanish royal court. If you are confused as to what the heck the CPC is, well, it’s essentially a water distribution and treatment facility.
In the evening, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito arrived at the Palacio Real de Madrid to attend a gala dinner hosted by Their Royal Highnesses Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias.
Photo courtesy of Casa Real
On the morning of June 12, 2013, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan visited the Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas in Madrid. Whilst there the heir to the Chrysanthemum throne viewed the exhibition, Lacas Namban: Huellas de Japón en España IV Centenario de la Embajada Keichô.
Afterward, the crown prince visited the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu home of the famous Real Madrid football team. Whilst there Crown Prince Naruhito met with president of Real Madrid, Mr. Florentino Pérez.
On Monday, June 10, 2013, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan accompanied by his delegation arrived at the Aeropuerto de Madrid-Barajas to begin his seven-day official visit to Spain. The purpose of the crown prince’s visit is to celebrate the 400th anniversary of bilateral relations and exchanges between Japan and Spain since a mission was dispatched by the Japanese feudal lord, Date Masamune, to Spain in 1613.
After landing at the airport, the crown prince was driven to Palacio Real de El Pardo in Madrid where His Royal Highness Prince Felipe of Asturias warmly welcomed the future emperor to Spain. After an official welcoming ceremony and the inspection of the guards His Imperial Highness and Prince Felipe held a private meeting.
This morning, Crown Prince Naruhito and Prince Felipe attended the first meeting of the Comité Bilateral de Cooperación Empresarial Hispano Japonés held at the Real Casa de la Mondeda in Madrid.
In the afternoon, Their Majesties King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain accompanied by Their Royal Highnesses Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias and Her Royal Highness Infanta Elena of Spain hosted a luncheon at Palacio de la Zarzuela for His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito and his delegation.
Once lunch was over the crown prince and prince attended the inauguration of the exhibition, Sin Perder Contra la Lluvia: Una Visión de la Reconstrucción Tras el Tsunami de Japón, held at the Centro Cultural Conde Duque in Madrid. The exhibition shows photos as well as documents displaying the devastation brought on by the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami that devastated the prefectures of Miyagi and Fukushima located in northeastern Japan. A highlight of the exhibit are photos of “…the heros of Fukishima…” by Japanese photojournalist, Mr. Kazuma Obara.
In the evening, the crown prince accompanied by the prince and princess arrived at the Teatro Real in Madrid to attend a concert in celebration of the year of Japanese and Spanish relations.
During tonight’s concert Crown Prince Naruhito and Their Royal Highnesses along with hundreds of guests watch Japanese flamenco dancer, Mr. Shoji Kojima accompanied by Spanish flamenco singer, Mr. Miguel Poveda. They also listed to music composed by famed Japanese pianist, Ms. Mine Kawakami.
On the early morning of June 10, 2013, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan departed from Haneda International Airport to begin his seven-day official visit to Spain. The purpose of the crown prince’s visit is to celebrate the 400th anniversary of bilateral relations between Japan and Spain. Prior to his departure the crown prince and the crown princess posed for photographers outside their home in Tokyo.
Meanwhile, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan arrived at the Imperial Graveyard of Toshimagaoka in Tokyo to visit the tomb of His Imperial Highness the late Prince Tomohito of Mikasa. The prince passed away last year at the age of 66. Unfortunately, Her Imperial Majesty Empress Michiko was unable to attend. According to the Imperial Household Agency the 78-year-old empress was “…feeling quite unwell...” Nevertheless, the emperor was not alone when he paid his respects to the late prince this morning. The emperor was accompanied by the late prince’s daughters, Princess Akiko and Princess Yoko of Mikasa.
The Royal Correspondent 