The Imperial Household Agency plans for Imperial family members to walk different routes at the April 22 garden party, allowing for more guests to meet the royals.
Until now, Imperial family all followed the same route, meeting the same guests in front, and guests would wait a long time. By preventing large crowds from gathering, the agency hopes to ensure guests have time to enjoy the food, entertainment, and beauty of Akasaka Estate's gardens.
Source:
Asahi
While I'm pleased with this change, I hope the media manages to capture all family members on these separate routes.
More information about the different routes and impetus for change.
- Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako: same route as before, north side of Nakaike Pond
- Akishino couple: south side of Nakaike pond after speaking with foreign ambassadors in tent near pond
- Princess Aiko, Princess Kako: tent area, west side of Akasaka Estate gardens, near Shobu Pond where gagaku music is performed, then walk south side of Nakanoike pond same direction as Akishino couple
- Regarding other members of the Imperial Family, the Imperial Household Agency said it will consider the format in the future, based on spring results.
- I guess this means Mikasa and Takamado princesses will follow Their Majesties...
5 guests became ill due to the heat at last year's autumn garden party, waiting a long time to reserve a place to speak to the royals. The decision for different routes was made in consultation with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.
Records of the garden party route only go back to 1963, when it was moved from the Imperial Palace to Akasaka gardens, and the traditional method had been followed for at least 62 years until last fall.
Sources:
NHK,
NTV,
news.tv-asahi.co.jp,
Yomiuri
