Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko embarked on a trip to Fukushima and Miyagi Prefectures this week to look at reconstruction carried out since the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami devastated the area five years ago. For their arrival on yesterday, the Empress repeated her silver shantung silk rimmed saucer hat with charcoal silk double bow. The first view of the hat shows a better view of the silk covered base than we usually see, answering questions some of you have asked about the material used for the Empress’ saucer hats.
Designer: likely Akio Hirata
Previously Worn: April 16, 2015; January 14, 2015; April 11, 2014; December 6, 2013; December 2, 2013
Photos from The Asahi Shimbun via Getty and The Asahi Shimbun
Royal Hats 
I adore the Empress and her restrained elegance. Thank you for this wonderful blog! I discovered it only recently and am making my way through back posts.
Welcome here, Virginia!
Empress Michiko’s tiny saucer hats don’t appeal to me personally, but she does look cute in them, and the overall outfit looks elegant.
Another very appropriate outfit for Michiko. The charcoal grey is great on her and I love the bow’s details. Her taupe gloves and shoes help keep the ensemble from being too dour.
A model of elegance, always. Lovely lady.
I really like how the bow has more volume. Usually the bows are pressed to the hat, I think.
Love this hat and love the black/white pearls she’s wearing! The Empress is always breathtaking!