Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko departed Tokyo this morning for the Philippines where they embarked on a four day visit. The Empress looked very smart in a dark slate blue rimmed saucer hat trimmed in a large crepe silk folded bow.
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new
The couple were bid farewell by members of the Imperial Family. Crown Princess Masako wore a vibrant blue wool coat with matching hat which features a flat crown and upturned brim. The piece is trimmed with a wide ribbon around the crown that coordinates with the black accents on her coat. She stood out in a sea of neutral toned Imperial royal ensembles and I love her for it.
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new
Princess Kiko repeated a simple navy hat with short, upturned brim and a rounded, straight sided hat. The hat is trimmed with a thick navy band around the base of the crown, giving a slight stepped detail to the piece.
Arriving in the Philippines, the Empress removed her coat and scarf to reveal a tailored jacket in large plaid to match her hat and skirt. At closer look, the hat also features a layer of the plaid fabric incorporated in the bow, tying the ensemble together. It’s a very predictable hat for the Empress, both in shape and in colour, but one she wears well.
Royal Hats 
Princess Tsuguko of Takamado chose the most wonderful fedora in winter white in all of Royal hat history and it’s my top choice today.
Great find on Princess Tsuguko’s fedora! Perfect. Would love to see her entire outfit. CP Masako’s hat and outfit is wonderful.
Crown Princess Masako get an A+ for her wonderful outfit. The hat, coat, color — lovely.
Crown Princess Masako was my favorite of this bunch of hats, and the vibrant blue color suited her perfectly, and the cut of that coat was perfect, and even the clasp, jewels and accessories were spot on! Empress Michiko looked good, even though her style is rather predictable, but she suits those little saucer hats. Princess Nobuko’s toque was very simple, but grabbed my attention. The remainder of the hats were quite nice, but not terribly memorable.
The Emperor & Empress always look genuinely happy, and that is what I most appreciate about them, much like Elizabeth and Philip. The Empress was predictable with her style, but it’s unique enough that I don’t grow tired of it.
Masako was the best dressed of the send-off party. That cornflower blue color is fantastic for her, the hat shape is quite flattering, and the clasp on her coat is exquisite! Kiko, once again, would look better if her hat didn’t look half a size too large on her. Her daughter Mako looked amazing in that cloche, and I hope we see it again soon, much closer up!
Nobuko once again shows who’s boss in the extended imperial family; her hat is very simple, but she looks so like Queen Mary here, and I love it. Her daughters looked fine in their respective hats, although I think Akiko was more successful.
Overall, a fine day for Japanese millinery, although unfortunate the winds in the Philippines! 🙂
After the update, I mush say Mako suffers from the same problems as her mother with this beautiful cloche in that it’s a little too big for her head. But I still call it a winner.
Tsuguko is certainly one of the best hatters in the Japanese Imperial Family, and she proves it once again at this outing. Love, love, love!
I agree that Crown Princess Masako looks absolutely wonderful. Her hat complements her coat and dress beautifully, and she stands out.
The Empress looks best, I think, in the first photo, not so good in the third-to-last photo. Her saucer is her regular look, as is her one-lapel jacket.
Japanese royals obviously have very strict sartorial guidelines, and they follow them to the letter.
So great to see Crown Princess Masako out and about and looking so well. Gorgeous blue!
Crown Princess Masako looks fantastic!