The Emperor of Japan's Birthday

December 23 is a national holiday in Japan. It's the current Emperor's birthday and on that day he give a public speech from a balcony of the Imperial Palace. Normally the area is off-limits to the general public save for specially arranged tours.

Only on December 23 and January 2 can people enter the grounds of the Imperial Palace and listen to the Emperor give a public address.

This footage is from last year which pretty miserable weatherwise. The Emperor has cancelled his birthday address this year due to illness

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• japan
• tokyo
• akihito
• tenno
• emperor
• birthday
• december
• japanese-emperor
• kokyo
• japanese-imperial-palace
• roving-ronin-report

[MissTwix]

Hey friend, how early in the morning did you have to be there in order to get a good spot in line??

[RoninDave]

he makes the address a couple of times during the day so you don't have to get there super early. I've gone in the morning and in the afternoon

[germanMasterroach]

Is it a sign of disrespect if you, as a Westerner yell " Banzai ! " as well?

Is that why the girls didn't shout?

So you're not allowed to wish the Japanese Emperor " good health and long life" if you're European?

[RoninDave]

far as I can tell having gone about 5-6 times there is no disrespect if a Westerner yells Banzai. Not all the Japanese visitors there shout Banzai

[SlickWilly440]

Cool video, I thought I was watching the History Channel.

By the way, was that the Emperor's entire speech? (Was any of it his speech edited out?) B/c if it wasn't that was really really short.

Also, were they handing out those Japanese Flags, to the visitors at the entrance?

[RoninDave]

yeah that was the whole sheebang - short and sweet. I guess he's a man of few words - difficult words at that. His style of speaking is very formal even some of my students say it's difficult to speak like that these days.

As for the flags, there were groups of people handing them out on the way before you get to the police check points.

[NicholasGeschke]

Japan has a very long and fascinating history: From the time of the Shoguns to the reign of the previous Emperor, Japan has been a proud nation, rich in heritage and beautiful in both tradition and culture. I say that as an honest and proud American.

I do hope to visit Japan next year, and maybe cheer for his Majesty on his next birthday.

[TheMurometz]

明仁天皇は日本の良いと偉大な皇帝である

[3235parkside]

oh thats my birthday the 23 of december

[roygbiv330]

banzai

[jed371]

Long live Japan!

[ukks63]

In Japan, we have different name of Era. Year 2011 is said "Kouki 2671"

"Jinmu" Emperor has ascended fist Emperor at 2671 years ago. Japan history began at that time as longest nation on the earth.

[matmicm1]

MATTHEW 18:12-14 , PEACE ...

[matmicm1]

Mtthew 18:12-14 ...

[matmicm1]

JOHN 10:15-16 ...

[matmicmj]

PEACE AND LOVE ..

[Flowergothic]

Nice........

[DiminishingMoonlight]

Those lines look super long. How long does it usually take to get into the palace? From your experience, would you say it's better to go in the afternoon or in the morning?