Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, along with other members of the Imperial family, conversed with guests at an Imperial garden party in Tokyo.



The garden party is held twice a year, in the spring and autumn, at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens. It is hosted by the Emperor and Empress.



Guests at the spring party on Tuesday included manga artist Chiba Tetsuya, professional golfer Aoki Isao and the former manager of Japan's women's Olympic softball team Utsugi Taeko.



The manner in which Imperial family members meet with the guests was changed for the first time in more than 60 years to allow more attendees to speak with them.



Since 1963, when the Akasaka Imperial Gardens became the party venue, members of the Imperial family walked behind the Emperor and Empress and exchanged words with guests standing along the route.



But this led to guests crowding the vicinity for an extended period, making some of them sick.



This time, while the Emperor and Empress walked the conventional route, Crown Prince and Princess Akishino and other Imperial family members parted with the couple halfway and took a different path.



Liquor was served for the first time since Emperor Naruhito ascended the throne in 2019, following a period of suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic.