Japan's Emperor and Empress Host the 2025 Spring Garden Party

Princess Aiko, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Kako, Princess Hisako, Princess Akiko, Princess Tsuguko and Princess Nobuko

On April 22, 2025, Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako hosted the traditional Spring Imperial Garden Party at the Akasaka Imperial Garden in Tokyo. The Emperor and Empress of Japan invited 1,800 guests to the 2025 Spring Garden Party, including a professional golfer, an international ballet dancer, and other distinguished individuals, along with their families, in recognition of their outstanding service.

Princess Aiko, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Kako, Princess Hisako, Princess Akiko, Princess Tsuguko and Princess Nobuko

Princess Aiko, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Kako, Princess Hisako, Princess Akiko, Princess Tsuguko and Princess Nobuko

Princess Aiko, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Kako, Princess Hisako, Princess Akiko, Princess Tsuguko and Princess Nobuko

Princess Aiko, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Kako, Princess Hisako, Princess Akiko, Princess Tsuguko and Princess Nobuko

Princess Aiko, Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Kako, Princess Hisako, Princess Akiko, Princess Tsuguko, Princess Hanako, Princess Nobuko, Princess Yoko, and other members of the Imperial Family attended the 2025 Spring Imperial Garden Party.

Princess Aiko, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Kako, Princess Hisako, Princess Akiko, Princess Tsuguko and Princess Nobuko

Princess Aiko, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Kako, Princess Hisako, Princess Akiko, Princess Tsuguko and Princess Nobuko

Princess Aiko, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Kako, Princess Hisako, Princess Akiko, Princess Tsuguko and Princess Nobuko

Princess Aiko, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Kako, Princess Hisako, Princess Akiko, Princess Tsuguko and Princess Nobuko

Invited for their contributions in various fields, the guests included mangaka Tetsuya Chiba and former women’s softball national team coach Taeko Utsugi. Also present was professional golfer Isao Aoki. The garden parties are believed to date back to 1880, when Emperor Meiji held a chrysanthemum viewing party.

Princess Aiko, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Kako, Princess Hisako, Princess Akiko, Princess Tsuguko and Princess Nobuko

Princess Aiko, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Kako, Princess Hisako, Princess Akiko, Princess Tsuguko and Princess Nobuko

Princess Aiko, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Kako, Princess Hisako, Princess Akiko, Princess Tsuguko and Princess Nobuko

12 Comments
  1. As always, Kako is the loveliest!

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    1. Anonymous22/4/25 18:08

      For me the Empress outshines all in her understated but beautiful kimono. LRB

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  2. Kimonos are always beautiful and interesting. The empress's kimono is quite understated and elegant. I prefer kimonos with colorful patterns like those worn by Kako, Kiko and other ladies. But the overall look is very beautiful.

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    1. Anonymous22/4/25 15:35

      I used to live in Japan and got to learn quite a bit about Japanese customs while I was there.

      By tradition, unmarried women's kimonos are allowed to be more colourful/flamboyant than a married woman's kimono. Married women's kimonos are, by tradition, much more understated. A kimono is meant to communicate a lot of information with its style, colour, patterns, and how it's worn. I found it fascinating. ~LadySlippers

      Delete
    2. Anonymous22/4/25 17:03

      I love these outfits! I do wonder about the clutches. It looks a bit odd to me they are wearing them at a garden party, combined with the kimonos. Their rules are normally very severe (just look at the footwear of the women, it looks really uncomfortable).
      Damsel Dragonfly

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    3. (Anon 15:35) Now it makes sense. Thanks for the information.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous22/4/25 13:00

    Beautifull traditional dresses!
    Like a fairytale.

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  4. Superbes kimonos surtout celui de Kako et de sa cousine Aiko !

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  5. Anonymous22/4/25 16:47

    Beautiful Kimonos overload!! :D Jumpy-happy-claps!! This almost too much, y'all! I might have to go lay down. LOL!

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  6. Anonymous22/4/25 17:00

    This is also a perfect illustration of how there are so many women in the royal family and so few men.

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  7. Anonymous22/4/25 17:16

    Wow so colourful each in their own way. The wisteria pattern is so subtle. P Aiko has a more modern pattern not so floral as the others. Nice to see this traditional garment.

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  8. Anonymous22/4/25 19:12

    What a treat,to see such an array of kimonos. Each as elegant as the wearer herself. Nice to see more of the wider and younger generation of the RF taking part and wearing the traditional dress.
    Lowri.

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