For more photos from the celebration of Emperor Akihito’s birthday, visit the Imperial Palace location page!
December 23rd marks the birthday of Akihito, the Emperor of Japan. The Emperor’s Birthday (天皇誕生日 in Japanese) is observed throughout Japan, and is one of the rare times that the public is allowed onto the grounds of the Imperial Palace (皇居).
Emperor Akihito, born in 1933, turns 79 today. He became emperor in 1989.
