Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, who is on a state visit to the United Kingdom along with Empress Masako, has toured a venue that promotes Japanese culture.
The Emperor arrived at Japan House London on Sunday. The facility presents Japanese art, design, gastronomy, innovation and technology. It was launched by Japan’s Foreign Ministry in 2018.
The Emperor browsed around its ground floor, where visitors can buy food, traditional crafts and other products from Japan.
The items on offer include Wajima-nuri lacquerware from Ishikawa Prefecture. A major earthquake caused significant damage to the prefecture’s Noto Peninsula and elsewhere on New Year’s Day.
The Emperor then moved on to an exhibition dedicated to uniquely Japanese designs selected by seven of Japan’s leading creators.
The exhibits include earthenware from the Jomon period that is estimated to have begun about 15,000 years ago. Also on display is sportswear that was produced with cutting-edge technology and drew inspiration from giant paper lanterns on festival floats in Toyama Prefecture.
The Emperor is scheduled to visit a large movable flood barrier on the Thames on Monday.