As Japan's most famous toddler, Prince Hisahito is greeted with excitement at every appearance. Over the weekend the country's youngest royal – who is third in line to the Chrysanthemum throne after his uncle Crown Prince Naruhito and his father Prince Akishino - made headlines with a visit to the imperial farm, 100 kilometres north of Tokyo.
Hisahito arrived in the arms of his mum Princess Kiko for a rural break with his sisters and grandparents, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. The fresh air and family atmosphere will be just the ticket for the little lad, who is a few months shy of his second birthday.
The estate, in the rice- and fruit-growing area surrounding the town of Takanezawa, raises fresh produce for the imperial household and is a favourite retreat for the royal family. In 2005 Hisahito's grandmother, Empress Michiko, wrote a poem in the traditional short Japanese style known as haiku, summing up her happy moments there.
"On the pasture path/The girls on bicycles far ahead/Turn around to call/They are saying something but/Only their laughter reaches us," it reads.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
