A recent post from The Royal Family's Instagram account showed the commencement of the State Visit as The Emperor and Empress were welcomed by The King and Queen on Horse Guards, followed by the Emperor inspecting a Guard of Honour composed of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards.
The group then proceeded to Buckingham Palace in a carriage procession.
State Visits to the UK typically occur twice a year, in the winter and early summer, serving as an opportunity to strengthen diplomatic ties with other nations.
The visiting Head of State is formally hosted by The King and Queen but also engages in a full schedule of activities with government officials and various organizations.
Later in the day, after a private lunch at Buckingham Palace, the Emperor and Empress visited a special exhibition in the Picture Gallery featuring items from the Royal Collection related to Japan.
During the evening, The King, accompanied by The Queen and other members of the Royal Family, hosted a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace, during which both The King and the Emperor delivered speeches.
Following these events, the Emperor and Empress are scheduled to participate in various other engagements, including a visit to The Francis Crick Institute, the UK’s renowned biomedical research facility, and a Banquet at the Guildhall, culminating in formal farewells at Buckingham Palace on Thursday.