Japan’s imperial couple left Tokyo today (Tuesday) for an ancient ritual held once every 20 years at Japan’s holiest Shinto shrine.

Every two decades, Ise shrine’s main buildings are dismantled and rebuilt on an adjacent site.

After the rebuilding, the Imperial couple visits the shrine bearing a sword and a jewel, two of the three sacred treasures of Japan.

Staff could be seen carrying the secret treasures in black briefcases.

The treasures are believed to have been brought to earth by the gods.