On April 17, 2026, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako hosted the 2026 Spring Garden Party at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Moto-Akasaka, Tokyo. Attending the garden party were Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Aiko, Princess Kako, Princess Takamado, Princess Tsuguko, along with other members of the Imperial Family.
Approximately 1,750 guests were invited, including the figure skating pair Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara—known as “RikuRyu”—who won Japan’s first-ever gold medal in pairs at the Milan–Cortina Olympics, as well as Susumu Kitagawa, a specially appointed professor at Kyoto University and recipient of last year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
More than fashion, I just love seeing them all turn out together to represent the family. There is such a unifying force of smiles and happiness among them all.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to see all the members of the Imperial Family in western dress for this garden party. In previous garden parties, I recall the ladies wearing traditional dress (kimono). The ladies all look lovely today, each in her own unique way.
- Anon 9:13
i always wonder the same thing; the guests are in traditional clothing while the Imperial family is in Colonial style Western clothing.
Deleteit would be so beautiful to see men and women upholding Japanese attire.
Reds and kimonos for the win. Takamado and Kako look wonderful in red; Aiko would also look wonderful in the same. Her silk is a stunning colour but it just doesn’t work as well for her as the bolder colours we saw her in on her Laos tour last year. The girls in the kimonos win — absolutely stunning. Love your sentiment Anon 9:13.
ReplyDeleteQuel grand choix de couleurs dans des tenues veste/jupe ou même sur robe jusqu'aux chapeaux ; je ne vois que quelques kimonos délicats !
ReplyDelete９番目の写真、４人の若い女性たちの着物をご覧ください。
ReplyDeleteこれらの着物の生地は「絞り」という技法で染色してあります。
生地を小さくつまみ、糸でしばってから染めますので、全体に小さな粒の模様と立体的な質感が生まれます。
とても手の込んだ、豪華で高価な着物です。
Yes, now that you have kindly pointed out this interesting fact, those kimonos are truly unusual. The details are amazing. I've never seen anything like them before and wouldn't have known about this kind of process, so thank you. Also in the same photo, clearly visible when the photo is enlarged, P.Aiko looks like she is sadly slipping out of her shoes.
Delete- Anon 9:13
大きい靴を履いても脱げないのは、中に何か仕掛けがしてあるからでしょうか。
Delete知りたい。
10番目の写真。着物姿の二人はペアスケートの金メダリストです。
Delete彼女の帯は機械織ではなく、非常に手の込んだ職人技の逸品です。
ピンクの着物の模様が写真では見えませんけれど、模様はすべて手刺繍で非常に豪華な着物です。
In the 10th photo you refer to, what is the grey garment the man is wearing?
Delete彼の着物は一般人の礼装です。丸いマークは家紋です。
Deleteこの着物は現代では主に、結婚式の花婿、歌舞伎、茶道、相撲力士など様々な古典的職業の男性が着用します
これは一般人の礼装であり皇族の礼装とは違いますが、男性皇族も私的に着用することはあるようです。
ご参考までにこちらをご覧ください。
https://www.newmyroyals.com/2019/08/bhutan-visit-of-japanese-crown-prince.html
https://www.newmyroyals.com/2025/09/prince-hisahitos-coming-of-age.html
Aiko’s shoes are too big for her. They all look lovely, I especially like the cherry red outfit, and the details of the Empresses jacket. I can’t help but feel that an old traditionalist is advising Aiko on clothing choices, mother dress more modern and better fitting outfits. I knew a friend that had a “nanny” into her 40’s and was always dressed conservatively.
ReplyDeleteI think HIH P Aiko gets to decide what fits her feet, not you.
DeleteI agree 1827, but just look at photo 9. I have seen written that many royals wear shoes 1 size bigger to allow for swelling, but sliding forward and walk out them is not the best
DeletePrincess Aiko sorry but
ReplyDeleteThis is really not flattering for a young woman. The red dress of Kako is very charming and modern esp with the jolly hat. The empress is also very chique however her skirts could really be more tight.
I like all the outfits, but I continue to live in hope that lovely Aiko will eventually add pencil skirts to her wardrobe. The wide-cut skirts do not create the most elegant or flattering silhouette.
ReplyDeleteIt’s not a wide cut skirt I think but a dress sitting under a jacket which pinches the skirt shape. The dress must be absolutely lovely were the jacket to be removed, cut to not be too figure hugging but gently follow the figure.
DeleteEveryone looks fantastic. Pss Kakos dress is splendid. This is the Spring Garden party. nice to see them all there.
ReplyDeletecss
Kako looks adorable, as usual, as well as more modern than the other ladies. I just hate the clunky look the majority of the female members of the family stick to. They all look like they are stuck in 1982, and it's not attractive. I'm not saying they all need to start wearing Thierry Mugler, but at least join the rest of us in the 21st century.
ReplyDeleteSo agree
Delete“It’s not attractive” means you don’t like it, but remember they are dressing for another culture, not yours, so it’s just different. We have Japanese friends here in the comments so let’s be respectful of how they feel to their royal family and not use words such as hate, etc. You can choose to not like the dresses sure - but learning about the culture rather than comparing it to yours can help open your appreciation.
DeleteAh Shannon, do we all (8 billion humans globally!), across this interesting and varied world, have to join “the rest of us” in your version of the 21st century”? Could we not keep our own customs and country traditions and love what we produce in our own land? Would it not be really awful to lose what is precious and different? Have a look at this beautiful video of the garden tea yesterday and see how it all comes alive https://www.instagram.com/kunaicho_jp/reel/DXO8WWbkuNS/. I hope you can open your mind to letting others in the world live their own beauty standards and not just follow the one style you think is correct!
DeleteDear Shannon - please don’t ask the whole world to follow your one version of attractiveness! It’s arrogant and would be very boring to assume you have the only right way. I wonder which country you’re from that you assume all others should join you …
Delete私は日本人ですが、ここで皆さんの様々な自由な意見を伺えることをいつも楽しみにしています。
Deleteファッションを通した異文化交流ですね。
I’m Japanese, and I mostly agree with what Shannon is saying. I do feel it’s a bit unfortunate that members of the Imperial family are often dressed in styles that can come across as old-fashioned or even a bit outdated.
DeleteAt the same time, though, I find it really interesting to watch that “otherworld” of the Imperial household, where long-standing traditions and formality are so highly valued.
Also, thanks to everyone for the respectful comments about Japan.
Sorry if my English isn’t very good.
En voyant la princesse Aiko je me suis dit "pauvre petite". Josée.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.instagram.com/kunaicho_jp/reel/DXO8WWbkuNS/
ReplyDeleteこれは宮内庁が提供した動画です。園遊会の様子をどうぞご覧ください。
The video is wonderful! Thank you!
DeleteThank you so much for sharing that link. The video brings the whole event to life. Really quite wonderful
DeleteThe Imperial ladies all look so lovely, how happy and engaging they are, seeing to enjoy themselves at this event, brilliant! The red outfit on Princess Kako, very striking, her accessories color well combined. The Empress looked beautiful in this two piece pale blue outfit. The outfit has some interesting features, very attractive. The single strand pearl necklace and stud pearl earrings, perfect finishing touch.
ReplyDeleteI don‘t know who the lady is in the purple jacket, but her hat is certainly very beautiful and slightly cheeky. Princess Tamako also looks a tad daring. One must not forget that they are in the presence of the empress, which means that specific sartorial protocol, colour etc., has to be observed.
ReplyDelete🌞 Virginia
Yay, Garden Party Season officially opened. My, do the Princesses Kako and (Hisako) Takamado look lovely.
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