Full Breakdown
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako Tour Kochi’s Braille Library and Cultural Sites
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Visit Highlights
The Imperial couple spent two days in Kochi Prefecture, beginning with a visit to the Otepia Kochi Talking Book & Braille Library in the city of Kochi. While there, they met junior-high and high-school students from the prefectural school for the visually impaired, who were conducting research using braille books, as well as volunteers who translate texts into braille. The Emperor asked the students which titles they hoped to read, and both he and the Empress handled several braille volumes.
Engagement with Students and Volunteers
During the library tour, the students demonstrated their research projects, and the volunteers explained the translation process. The Imperial presence highlighted the importance of accessible literature for visually impaired youth and underscored the library’s role in fostering independent study.
Cultural Interactions
In the afternoon, the couple traveled to Ino-cho, where they visited the Ino Paper Museum and spoke with artisans who produce tosa washi, a traditional Japanese paper. The Emperor inquired about the challenges of papermaking in winter, noting the cold and hardness of the work. Later, they attended an international print exhibition and viewed an art exhibition featuring works by people with disabilities at the prefectural art museum. The Empress praised the exhibited pieces for their vividness and creativity.
Verbatim Quotes
“Your work is so colorful, vibrant and wonderful,” — Empress Masako — Empress Masako
The visit concluded with the Imperial couple returning to Tokyo that night, ending their brief but multifaceted tour of Kochi’s educational and cultural institutions.