Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko had a full day of engagements yesterday with attendance at the 175th Anniversary of Juntendo University and a visit to the Japanese Medical Education History Museum. Empress Michiko wore a small dove grey saucer hat trimmed with a charcoal grey bow. I think this is the same hat we saw her first wear during the Imperial tour of India in December- peek here for a better look at this hat. 

Yesterday was also the Imperial Couple’s 55th wedding Anniversary. I’m sure you all join me in wishing them congratulations!

Designer: unconfirmed
Previously Worn: December 6, 2013; December 2, 2013

Photos from The Asahi Shimbun and The Asahi Shimbun via Getty

Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko and Crown Prince Naruhito visited the Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo yesterday to commemorate the 100th anniversary of death of Empress Shoken (1849-1914). Empress Michiko wore a white saucer hat covered in delicate fabric flowers and leaves.

The Imperial Couple also visited a museum dedicated to Empress Shoken. Empress Michiko repeated her dove grey saucer hat with large bow in coordinating grey striped fabric. While grey is probably my least favourite colour for the Empress, I do like how the two-toned bow coordinates so beautifully with her suit. The suit and hat combination is wonderfully chic, don’t you think?

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: June 23, 2013; October 28, 2012

Photos from Asahi Shimbun via Getty and FNN News

On Friday, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko returned to Tokyo from Ujiyamada Station in Ise City after several days spent in Mie Prefecture. For this train journey, the Empress wore a hat we have not seen before, and in pink, no less! This hat, a medium sized saucer, featured a pink hound’s tooth bow in the same fabric as Michiko’s jacket and a spray of pink flowers. It is one of the more vibrant hats we have seen on The Empress and I thought it was marvelous to see her in some colour. I also thought the interesting diagonal pink collar on her jacket coordinated well with her hat and made the whole outfit come alive. Empress Michiko looked great, don’t you think?

Photo from The Imperial Family of Japan

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan visited the Saikū Historical Museum this morning in Meiwa-cho in the Mie Prefecture. The Empress repeated the lovely white and lime green ensemble and hat we first saw her wear during their Imperial Majesties’ recent trip to India. The video taken today gives us a better view of this hat than we have seen before- the striking bow on this white saucer hat features a gold metallic sheen and an ombre colour gradient from white to green. I think it is wonderful to see the Empress in some colour and like the larger size of this hat on her. What do you think of this hat?

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: December 3, 2013

Photos from Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images and ANN News 

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited the Ise Shrine yesterday in Mie Prefecture. During their visit to the shrine, the Imperial jewel and sword, two of the family’s three sacred treasures, were moved out of Tokyo’s Imperial Palace for the first time since they made the same trip 20 years ago. The other treasure, a mirror, is always kept at Ise Shrine. For this sacred event, Empress Michiko wore a small white saucer hat trimmed with a flat bow.

The day before, The Emperor and Empress were seen at Tokyo Station, boarding with the sacred treasures onto the train. Empress Michiko wore an elegant oyster grey ensemble topped with a coordinating saucer hat. I thought the two-toned grey origami bow on this hat was particularly pretty and coordinated so well with her grey purse and shoes. The words elegant and regal are what come to mind when describing this ensemble, and this hat.

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: I believe both of these hats are new

Photos from Asahi Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun and Asahi Shimbun, all via Getty Images