Receiving Diplomatic Missions Residing in Japan

Newly appointed foreign Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary present His Majesty the Emperor with their credentials upon their arrival in Matsu-no-Ma (State Room) of the Imperial Palace. For this important ceremony, the Ambassador is offered, according to his/her preference, the service of either a ceremonial horse-drawn carriage or automobile for transportation. Transportation is provided along the route between the Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace for the former case and between the Embassy or his/her residence and the Imperial Palace for the latter case.

Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress invite residing Ambassadors from different countries together with their spouses to luncheons at the Imperial Palace and teas at the Imperial Residence. In addition, diplomats posted in Japan may also be invited to duck-netting and cormorant-fishing, which are Japanese traditions and heritage that have been preserved by the Imperial Family. Invitations may also be extended to visit the Imperial Stock Farm in Tochigi Prefecture.

The Imperial Family attends luncheons at the Imperial Palace and the duck-netting at the Saitama Imperial Wild Duck Preserve and Shinhama Imperial Wild Duck Preserve to entertain those invited.