The Imperial FamilyFostering friendly relations with foreign countriesOverseas VisitsList of Overseas Visits by the Emperor, Empress and Imperial Family (2009 - 2018)
| Date | Name | Country | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 9 - February 15 | His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince | Viet Nam | Visit to foster friendly relations at the invitation of Viet Nam |
| March 14 - March 20 | His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince | Turkey | Visit to attend the 5th World Water Forum at the invitation of the Turkish Government and the forum steering committee |
| May 10 - May 23 | Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino | Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania |
Visits to foster friendly relations on the occasion of the Japan-Danube Friendship Year 2009 at the invitation of Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania |
| June 11 - June 22 | Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi | Peru, Bolivia |
Visits to foster friendly relations on the occasion of the 110th anniversary of Japanese emigration at the invitation of Peru and Bolivia (Visit to the Netherlands and France) |
| June 27 - July 13 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado | France, Monaco, Egypt, United Kingdom |
Visits to attend the ceremony for the installation of a monument of the Prince Takamado Visitors' Center in Egypt, to attend the celebrations commemorating the 800th anniversary of the establishment of University of Cambridge in the U.K., and to observe the state of overseas nations |
| July 3 - July 17 | Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress | Canada, United States (Hawaii) |
Visits to foster friendly relations at the invitation of Canada, and to foster friendly relations on the occasion of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Foundation, the State of Hawaii |
| August 21 - August 27 | Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino | The Netherlands | Visit to foster friendly relations on the occasion of the opening of the commemorative events of the 400th anniversary of the trade relationship between Japan and the Netherlands at the invitation of the Netherlands |
| September 18 - September 28 | Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi | France, Germany |
Visits to attend the events related to the Praemium Imperiale in Germany and to observe the state of overseas nations |
| Date | Name | Country | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 6 - March 15 | His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince | Ghana, Kenya |
Visits to foster friendly relations at the invitation of Ghana and Kenya (Visit to the United Kingdom and Italy) |
| March 22 - March 30 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Ayako | United States | Official trip (Kinugasa Research Organization, Ritsumeikan University) |
| March 23 - March 28 | His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino, Her Imperial Highness Princess Mako |
Laos | Visit to attend the opening ceremony of the Mobile Museum Exhibition “Laos; The Art of Farming” of the University Museum, the University of Tokyo, and to engage in research on domestic poultry (Visit to Thailand). |
| May 1 - May 5 | His Imperial Highness Prince Tomohito of Mikasa | Turkey | Visit to attend the Celebration Ceremony of the Japanese-Turkish Friendship for Japan Year 2010 in Turkey at the invitation of Turkey |
| June 17 - June 21 | His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince | Sweden | Visit to attend the wedding ceremony of Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden at the invitation of Sweden |
| June 20 - June 26 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado | South Africa | Visit to observe the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa and to observe the state of overseas nations |
| June 30 - July 6 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado | Finland | Visit to foster friendly relations at the invitation of Finland |
| July 4 - August 15 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Mako | Ireland | Visit to participate in the Study English Abroad Program of the International Christian University (while in her first year at the International Christian University) (Visit to the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland)) |
| July 7 - July 12 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko | Turkey | Visit to attend the conferment ceremony of an honorary doctorate from Ankara University, to attend the dedication ceremony for the Japanese Institute of Anatolian Archaeology of the Middle Eastern Culture Center (Museum of Archaeology Kaman Kalehoyuk), and to observe archaeological monuments |
| July 7 - July 14 | His Imperial Highness Prince Tomohito of Mikasa | Turkey | Visit to attend the conferment ceremony of an honorary doctorate from Ankara University, to attend the dedication ceremony for the Japanese Institute of Anatolian Archaeology of the Middle Eastern Culture Center (Museum of Archaeology Kaman Kalehoyuk), and to observe archaeological monuments |
| July 8 - July 15 | Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi | Monaco | Visit to attend the opening ceremony of the Japan exhibition "Kyoto-Tokyo, from Samurai to Manga" at the invitation of Monaco (Visit to France) |
| August 17 - August 26 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Ayako | Canada | Visit to attend the Welfare, Culture and Environment Training (overseas) of Josai International University (While in her second year at Josai International University) |
| October 8 - October 16 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko | United States | Official trip (Kinugasa Research Organization, Ritsumeikan University) |
| Date | Name | Country | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 14 - January 21 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko | Austria | Visit to observe the 19th interski Congress in St. Anton (Visit to Switzerland) |
| January 24 - February 1 | Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino | Costa Rica | Visit to foster friendly relations to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Japan and Costa Rica at the invitation of Costa Rica (Visit to the United States) |
| January 28 - March 30 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko | United Kingdom | Official trip (Kinugasa Research Organization, Ritsumeikan University) |
| March 8 - March 11 | His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino | Thailand | Visit to attend the conferment ceremony of honorary doctorates from Kasetsart University and Chiang Mai University |
| March 30 - April 5 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko | United States | Official trip (Kinugasa Research Organization, Ritsumeikan University) |
| May 26 - June 1 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko | United Kingdom | Visit to attend the graduation ceremony of the University of Oxford |
| June 21 - June 25 | His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince | Germany | Visit to foster friendly relations to celebrate 150 years of relations between Japan and Germany at the invitation of Germany |
| July 6 - July 14 | Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi | United Kingdom | Visit to attend events related to the Praemium Imperiale in the U.K. and to observe the state of overseas nations |
| August 20 - August 29 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko | Sweden, Estonia |
Official trip (Kinugasa Research Organization, Ritsumeikan University) |
| August 29 - September 13 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Ayako | Canada | Visit to participate in "Overseas Activities 1" of Josai International University (While in her third year at Josai International University) |
| October 26 - October 27 | His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince | Saudiarabia | Visit to pay condolences on the demise of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia |
| November 5 - November 24 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko | United Kingdom | Official trip (Kinugasa Research Organization, Ritsumeikan University) |
| Date | Name | Country | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 25 - March 31 | Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi | Tonga | Visit to attend the funeral of His Majesty King George Tupou V of Tonga (Visit to New Zealand) |
| May 16 - May 20 | Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress | United Kingdom | Visit to attend a luncheon in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the invitation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II |
| May 30 - June 6 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko | Germany, Poland |
Visit to Germany to engage in research into Japanese art and official trip to Poland (Hosei University Research Center for International Japanese Studies) |
| June 11 - June 17 | Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino | Uganda | Visit to foster friendly relations to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Japan and Uganda at the invitation of Uganda (Visit to the United Kingdom and France) |
| June 20 - June 21 | His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince | Saudi Arabia | Visit to pay condolences on the demise of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Naif bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia |
| June 25 - July 1 | His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince | Thailand, Cambodia, Laos |
Visits to foster friendly relations at the invitation of Thailand, Cambodia and Laos |
| August 16 - August 23 | His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino | Vietnam | Visit to engage in research into culture relating to domestic poultry and livestock |
| August 24 - July 1, 2013 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Mako | United Kingdom, France, Italy, the Vatican, the Netherlands |
Short-term study abroad (University of Edinburgh, Scotland) |
| October 9 - October 22 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko | France | Official trip (GINKAKU Jisho-ji, Kenshu Dojo) |
| October 18 - October 21 | His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince | Luxembourg | Visit to attend the wedding ceremony of His Royal Highness Prince Guillaume, The Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg at the invitation of Luxembourg |
| November 27 - November 29 | His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino | Thailand | Visit to receive an honorary doctorate from Thammasat University and to attend the 15th Animal Science Congress of the Asian-Australasian Association of Animal Production Societies |
| Date | Name | Country | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 3 - February 5 | His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino | Cambodia | Visit to attend the funeral of His Majesty Norodom Sihanouk, King Father of Cambodia |
| March 5 - March 8 | His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince | United States | Visit to attend the United Nations Special Thematic Session on Water and Disasters |
| April 28 - May 3 | Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess | the Netherlands | Visit to attend the investiture ceremony of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands at the invitation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands |
| June 7 - June 11 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado | Sweden | Visit to attend the wedding ceremony of Her Royal Highness Princess Madeleine of Sweden at the invitation of the Kingdom of Sweden |
| June 10 - June 16 | His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince | Spain | Visit to foster friendly relations to celebrate the 400th Anniversary of Japan-Spain Relations at the invitation of Spain |
| June 15 - June 23 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Ayako | Canada | Visit to engage in research relating to welfare (as part of studies at the Graduate School of Josai International University) |
| June 18 - June 25 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado | Canada | Visit to attend the Birdlife International World Conference and to observe the state of oveseas nations |
| June 19 - June 30 | Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino | Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia |
Visit to foster friendly relations to celebrate the 20th anniversary of establishment of the diplomatic relations at the invitation of Croatia and Slovakia, and to celebrate the previous year's 20th anniversary of establishment of the diplomatic relations at the invitation of Slovakia(visit to Austria) |
| July 17 - July 21 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko | Singapore | Visit to attend events relating to the introduction of Japanese traditional culture |
| August 3 - September 4 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Kako | United States | Visit (During first year at Faculty of Letters, Gakushuin University) |
| August 19 - August 23 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Tsuguko | Sri Lanka | Visit to observe traditional events and the state of overseas nations at the invitation of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka |
| September 1 - August 10, 2015 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Ayako | Canada, United States, Thailand, Singapore, United Kingdom, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany |
short-term overseas study (Camosun College, Canada) |
| September 3 - September 9 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado | Argentina | Visit to attend events to commemorate friendly relations between the Japan Football Association and the Argentina Football Association |
| September 4 - September 14 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko | Chile | Visit to foster friendly relations at the invitation of the Republic of Chile (Visit to France, Argentina and the United States) |
| October 8 - November 2 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko | France, United Kingdom |
Visit (Kinugasa Research Organization, Ritsumeikan University and Ginkaku Jisho-ji Kenshu Dojo) |
| November 30 - December 6 | Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress | India | Visit to foster friendly relations at the invitation of the Republic of India |
| December 9 - December 11 | His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince | South Africa | Visit to the Republic of South Africa to attend the national memorial services for His Excellency Mr. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, Former President of the Republic of South Africa . |
| Date | Name | Country | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 25 - February 5 | Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino | Peru, Argentina |
Visit to foster friendly relations at the invitation of the Republic of Peru on the occasion of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Republic of Peru and at the invitation of the Argentine Republic to commemorate 50 years since the immigration agreement between Japan and the Argentine Republic came into effect (Visit to France and Australia) |
| April 23 - April 30 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko | Turkey | Visit to attend the “Memorial Concert for His Imperial Highness Prince Tomohito of Mikasa” and to observe the ancient sites of Turkey |
| June 17 - June 23 | His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince | Switzerland | Visit to foster friendly relations at the invitation of the Swiss Confederation on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Switzerland |
| June 18 - June 24 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado | Brazil, Colombia, France |
Visit to observe the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil tournament in Brazil, to attend an event of the International Kyudo Federation in France and to observe the state of overseas nations |
| June 27 - July 8 | Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino | Zambia, Tanzania |
Visit to foster friendly relations at the invitation of the Republic of Zambia on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and at the invitation of the Republic of Tanzania (Visit to the Republic of South Africa and the United Kingdom) |
| July 14 - July 22 | Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi | France | Visit to attend events relating to the Imperial Highness the Prince Takamatsu Memorial International Culture Award and to observe the state of overseas nations |
| July 20 - July 27 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Tsuguko | Vietnam | Visit (Japan Committee for UNICEF) |
| September 17 - September 29, 2015 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Mako | United Kingdom | Study abroad (University of Leicester Doctoral College, England） |
| September 30 - October 10 | Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino | Guatemala Mexico |
Visit to foster friendly relations at the invitation of Guatemala Visit to foster friendly relations to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Hasekura Diplomatic |
| December 11 - December 13 | Her Majesty the Empress Michiko | Belgium | Visit to attend the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Fabiola of the Belgians. |
| Date | Name | Country | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 25 - January 26 | His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince | Saudi Arabia | Visit to pay condolences on the demise of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al Saud of the Saudi Arabia |
| April 8 - April 9 | Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress | Palau | Visit to mourn and pay tribute to those who died in the war, to pray for world peace, and to foster international goodwill in the 70th year after the end of the war |
| June 11 - June 15 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado | Sweden | Visit to attend the wedding ceremony of His Royal Highness Prince Carl Philip of the Kingdom of Sweden at the invitation of Sweden |
| July 2 - July 6 | Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess | Tonga | Visit to attend the coronation of His Majesty King Tupou VI of Tonga at the invitation of Tonga |
| October 10 - October 15 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado | Poland | Visit to attend the opening screening of “Japan Day” at the 31st Warsaw Film Festival and to observe the state of overseas nations |
| October 27 - November 10 | Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino | Brazil | isit to foster friendly relations on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations at the invitation of Brazil. (Visit to Germany) |
| November 9 - November 16 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Ayako | Sweden | Visit to participate in “Overseas Case Studies ” relating to welfare. (Currently studying at the graduate school of Josai International University) |
| November 17 - November 21 | His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince | United States | Visit to attend the Second United Nations Special Thematic Session on Water and Disasters and the final meeting of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation (UNSGAB) |
| December 2 - December 12 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Mako | El Salvador Honduras |
Visit to foster friendly relations on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with El Salvador and Honduras, at the invitation of El Salvador and Honduras respectively. (Visit to the United States) |
| Date | Name | Country | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 19 - January 25 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Mako | United Kingdom | Visit to attend the graduation ceremony at the University of Leicester Doctoral College, England |
| January 26 - January 30 | Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress | Philippines | Visit to foster friendly relations on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations at the invitation of the Philippines |
| January 31 - February 4 | Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi | France | Visit to attend the Charter of Paris against Cancer Awards Ceremony |
| April 28 - May 2 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado | Sweden | Visit to attend celebratory events to commemorate the 70th birthday of His Majesty the King of Sweden at the invitation of Sweden |
| May 10 - May 17 | Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino | Italy | Visit to foster friendly relations on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Italy at the invitation of Italy (Visit to Vatican City) |
| May 20 - May 26 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko | Spain United Kingdom |
Academic Trip (Global Exchange Organization for Research and Education, Gakushuin University) |
| July 29 - August 2 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Yohko | United States | Visit to foster friendly relations on the occasion of the 7th International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics and the 1st International Conference on Inclusive Design |
| July 29 - August 2 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado | Netherlands | Visit to attend events celebrating the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the International Kyudo Federation |
| September 6 - September 16 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Mako | Paraguay | Visit to foster friendly relations on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Japanese immigration to Paraguay at the invitation of Paraguay (Visit to Germany and Brazil) |
| Date | Name | Country | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 28 - March 6 | Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress | Viet Nam | Visit to foster friendly relations at the invitation of Viet Nam (Visit to Thailand). |
| April 13 - April 17 | His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince | Malaysia | Visit to foster friendly relations to commemorate celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Malaysia at the invitation of Malaysia. |
| May 30 - June 3 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko | Switzerland | Visit to attend an event introducing Asian Arts. |
| May 31 - June 8 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Mako | Bhutan | Visit to foster friendly relations at the invitation of Bhutan (Visit to Singapore). |
| June 15 - June 21 | His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince | Denmark | Visit to foster friendly relations to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Denmark at the invitation of Denmark. |
| July 5 - July 11 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado | Ireland | Visit to attend an event on Japanese Art exhibition commemorating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland (Visit to Luxembourg). |
| July 11 - July 19 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko | United Kingdoms | Academic Trip (Global Exchange Organization for Research and Education, Gakushuin University) |
| July 13 - July 18 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Ayako | Canada | Visit to attend the ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden in the City of Lethbridge, and to visit Camosun College. |
| August 18 - August 23 | His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino | Hungary | Visit to research and observe indigenous livestock and the museum collections and exhibits. |
| August 19 - August 23 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Mako | Hungary | As above |
| September 25 - October 4 | Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino | Chile | Visit to foster friendly relations to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Chile at the invitation of Chile (Visit to Germany). |
| October 26 - October 27 | Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino | Thailand | Visit to attend the funeral of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. |
| November 5 - November 10 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Tomohito of Mikasa | The Netherlands | Visit to attend the JCI (Junior Chamber International) World Congress Amsterdam and reception. |
| Date | Name | Country | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 16 - March 22 | His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince | Brazil | Visit to attend the 8th World Water Forum at the invitation of the Government of Brazil and the forum steering committee (Visit to the United States) |
| June 4 - June 9 | Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino | United States (Hawaii) | Visit to attend the 150th anniversary ceremony of Japanese immigration to Hawaii and to attend the Convention of Nikkei and Japanese Abroad |
| June 11 - June 21 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko | United States | Academic Trip (International Centre of Gakushuin University) |
| June 18 - June 26 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado | Russia | Visit to observe the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia tournament and attend the Russia-Japan Kyūdō Kōryū Embu-Kai and Seminar |
| July 17 - July 31 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Mako | Brazil | Visit to foster friendly relations on the occasion of the 110th anniversary of Japanese immigration to Brazil at the invitation of Brazil (Visit to Germany and the United States) |
| July 22 - August 9 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Aiko | United Kingdom | Visit to participate in the 23rd Eton College Summer School, a summer overseas educational program of Gakushuin Girls’ Junior & Senior High School |
| September 7 - September 15 | His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince | France | Visit to foster friendly relations on the occasion of the 160th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and France at the invitation of France |
| September 8 - September 14 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko | Turkey | Visit to attend the commemorative ceremony of the Prince Mikasa Foundation |
| September 10 - September 14 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Tsuguko | Timor-Leste | Business Trip (Japan Committee for UNICEF) (Visit to Indonesia) |
| September 18 - September 26 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Tomohito of Mikasa | Italy | Visit to attend the opening ceremony of the 2018 annual meeting of the Italian Research Association for Japanese Studies (Visit to Vatican City) |
| October 23 - October 28 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Akishino | Netherlands | Visit to attend the 49th Union World Conference on Lung Health |
| December 12 - December 15 | His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino | Thailand | Visit to attend the conferment ceremony of an Honorary Doctorate from Mahasarakham University |
| December 12 - December 15 | Her Imperial Highness Princess Akishino | Thailand | Visit to attend the 11th Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Handbook International Conference |
