Overview
- Sophie and Prince Edward met Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace, where the Duchess offered a notably deep curtsy.
- The couple also met Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko, and their son, Prince Hisahito, during the first day of engagements.
- They planted an oak sapling at the Akasaka State Guest House grown from the tree Queen Elizabeth II planted there in 1975.
- The royals attended the Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan and greeted wrestler Asanoyama Hiroki and Sumo Association chairman Hakkaku Nobuyoshi.
- Traveling on behalf of King Charles from Sept. 18–22, they next plan to visit Osaka for EXPO 2025 and the sacred site of Koyasan.