This month, a line of traditional horse-drawn carriages appeared in front of Tokyo Station. It carries a newly appointed foreign ambassador for a ceremony at the Imperial Palace, and has been revived for the first time in three years. In fact, on this day, horses related to the Emperor's family also made their debut.
In the future, it is likely that many people will see them pulling a horse-drawn carriage.
(Department of Social Affairs, Kiyoshi Fujita)

Imperial Household Agency's carriage convoy revived for the first time in three years

On March 3, a row of lacquered carriages emblazoned with the chrysanthemum emblem departed for the Imperial Palace from the royal entrance of Tokyo Station.

The carriage carries a foreign ambassador who has arrived at the Japan.

The newly appointed ambassador will attend the "Credential Presentation Ceremony" at the Imperial Palace and Palace, where he will hand over his home credentials to His Majesty the Emperor.

According to the Imperial Household Agency, there are only a few countries such as the United Kingdom and Spain that use horse-drawn carriages to pick up and drop off ambassadors for credential presentation ceremonies, which is rare in the world.

You can opt for a transfer by car, but most ambassadors prefer a horse-drawn carriage.

Due to the influence of the new coronavirus Reiwa horse-drawn carriage transportation was canceled at the end of March 2, but on this day, it was revived for the first time in three years.

Horses related to the Emperor's family

Horses that pull carriages are raised at the Imperial Household Agency's Goryo Farm in Tochigi Prefecture, and when they grow to a certain size, they are moved to the Kyusha in the Imperial Palace.

Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan and Aiko, who love animals, sometimes visit the Kyusha when strolling around the Imperial Palace and enjoy interacting with the horses.

In the video released by the Imperial Household Agency on Aiko's birthday last year, Aiko gives a carrot to a horse and gently strokes the tip of its nose.

This horse with beautiful brown fur is called "Sakihime".

Although it is called "princess", it is a male four-year-old horse.

Their Majesties were also present at the shooting, and while watching over Aiko, they touched "Sakihime".

A carriage convoy watched by Their Majesties

On the 8th of this month, when the carriage train carrying the ambassador was revived, "Sakihime" was seen among the horses that pulled the carriage.

(In the foreground is "Sakihime")

This was the day of Sakihime's debut.

"Sakihime" was responsible for pulling the carriage of the ambassador of Pakistan.

(The one on the left is "Sakihime")

When passing through the tree-lined streets of the office district, people gathered along the road took photos and videos.

Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress watched the slow journey of about 1 km to the Imperial Palace on the TV news.

According to their aides, Their Majesties were delighted that so many were delighted with the resumption of the carriage convoy and were impressed by the beautifully arranged carriage trainade.

According to the Imperial Household Agency, there are about 30 credential presentation ceremonies a year, depending on the year.

In the future, there will be more opportunities to see "Sakihime", who is related to the Emperor's family, pulling a horse-drawn carriage.