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December 23rd, the Emperor’s birthday (天皇の誕生日), is a national holiday in Japan. On this day, the imperial palace in Tokyo is open to the public and numerous well wishers gather within the palace ground where the Emperor, behind a large glass window, surrounded by his family, does a little thank you speech.
This is a great opportunity to see the Japanese devotion for their Emperor. Usually a large crowd yells “天王陛下万歳” (Tenno Heika Banzai! — Long live the Emperor!” and just about everyone waves a Japanese flag (well, they are distributing these at the entrance, and get them back when you leave.)
An original outing if one is in Tokyo on this day!
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