Japan’s Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko arrived at JR Karuizawa Station in Nagano Prefecture by Shinkansen on the early afternoon of August 22.

The Imperial couple appeared hand in hand in front of the station and were greeted by an East Japan Railway official.

They were welcomed by residents and tourists who had gathered.

The Emperor Emeritus waved his hand repeatedly to the right and left, while the Empress Emerita responded with a bow and a smile.

The Imperial couple is also scheduled to visit the Ohinata Settlement on August 23, a place where repatriates from Manchuria came to live after the Pacific War.

The couple is scheduled to stay in Karuizawa, where they first met, for their retreat until August 29.