The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have paid a visit to the serene Soji-in Temple, a traditional Buddhist temple that dates back to the 12th century, as part of their four-day tour of Japan.
Sophie, 60, and Prince Edward, 61, met with the Mayor of Koya Town Yoshiya and Wakayama Governor Izumi Miyazaki, as well as Head Priest Eimyo Miyata, during their visit to the historic temple on Sunday, September 21, the third day of their trip.
Sophie dressed modestly for the visit, opting for a green floral print mid-length dress that nearly reached her ankles and a crisp white blazer on top, matched with white espadrille wedge heels.
Meanwhile, Edward looked dapper in a tan jacket over lighter beige trousers and brown shoes, with a pale blue shirt and a printed red tie underneath.
The couple were given a tour of the temple – but not before changing their shoes out of respect for the religious building – and presented with gifts from officials.
The temple, in the mountains of Koyasan in Japan’s Wakayama Prefecture, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its wooden structures, intricate designs, and tranquil gardens.
After the temple tour, the Duke and Duchess visited Danjo Garan, one of the two most significant religious sites within Koyasan.
While there, they met with children involved in The British Council English Programme delivered in Koyasan at the Chumon (Middle Gate), who welcomed them while standing in a semi-circle and waving Union Jack flags.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh smiled as they took photographs with children involved in The British Council English Programme during a visit to Koyasan, Japan
Edward and Sophie were then invited to help turn the Rokkaku Kyouzou, a hexagonal sutra repository, as turning the structure once is believed to bring the same spiritual merit as reciting the entire Buddhist canon.
Over the last three days, Edward and Sophie have carried out a number of engagements, including visiting the Ukraine Mental Health Exchange Centre in Tokyo.
Sophie, who was photographed donning a printed silk dress, took part in a calligraphy workshop during her trip to the mental health centre in the Shibuya Himawari and Kokorogoto Cafe.
The facility, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting Ukrainian refugees and evacuees in Japan, currently has more than 1,500 Ukrainian refugees registered.
Among the events held by the centre are group counselling, individual consultations, and social gatherings.
While there, the royal was seen engaging with others, as well as concentrating on creating artwork and enjoying tea.
Her gown, which originally retailed for £2,190, is called the Dolce Vita Silk Twill Shirt Dress.
According to the designer’s website, it’s ‘A piece of wearable art; an easy silhouette made from beautiful Italian printed silk, designed with glorious holidays and stylish evenings in mind’.
Pictured: The Duchess of Edinburgh helps to turn the Rokkaku Kyouzou during a visit to Danjo Garan, one of the two most significant religious sites within Koyasan
Prince Edward, 61, and Sophie, 60, are on the third day of their four-day tour of Japan and visited the historic Soji-in Temple in Koyasan
Edward and Sophie were photographed changing their shoes before entering the inner sanctum of the temple out of respect for the religious building
Sophie dressed modestly in a green floral print dress and a crisp white blazer, with a green-and-black clutch tucked under her arm
The royal couple met with the Mayor of Koya Town Yoshiya and Wakayama Governor Izumi Miyazaki during the visit
They were also presented gifts after taking a tour of the temple and learning about its traditional Buddhist roots, which can be traced back to the 12th century
The chic piece featured three-quarter length sleeves and a self-tie belt, which Sophie knotted around her waist.
She accessorised the piece with a large clutch bag in a coordinating hue of cream, and pointed heeled pumps.
During the day, Sophie also visited the Nezu Museum, in Minato City, Tokyo, where she toured the gardens, took in an exhibit, and met the head of museum, Koichi Nezu and his wife, Mihoko.
The museum, which was founded to conserve and exhibit the pre-modern Japanese and East Asian art collected by Japanese businessman, politician, and philanthropist, Nezu Kaichiro, houses some 7,600 works, including seven Japanese National Treasures.
The engagements came a day after Sophie, accompanied by her husband Prince Edward, watched a sumo match at Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Arena in Tokyo.
The Duke and Duchess joined thousands of fans in the jam-packed stadium and were seated in a plush spot in a box behind the ringside stands.
The tournament is one of six held in Japan each year in January, May, and September, and it lasts for over two weeks.
Each day, it starts as early as 8am, with the lowest-ranked athletes hitting the ring first before the stadium fills up in the late afternoon as fans come to see the top wrestlers battle it out.
The Edinburghs’ appearance comes ahead of the return of the Grand Sumo Tournament to the UK in October at the Royal Albert Hall.
Before the event, Sophie and Edward met and chatted with wrestler Asanoyama Hiroki.
They posed for photos with the wrestler and Chairman of the Sumo Association, Hakkaku Nobuyoshi, before heading into the arena for the games.
They also met with the temple’s monks including Head Priest Eimyo Miyata to learn about Buddhist traditions
The couple admired the wooden structures and intricate designs that the temple is known for, as well as its tranquil gardens
The temple, located in the mountains of Koyasan in Japan’s Wakayama Prefecture, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Once again, Sophie looked stylish in a £4,550 Valentino midi shirt dress with a paisley swirl and polka dot pattern, fringed tie belt, and a pleated skirt.
The 60-year-old paired the designer frock with a pair of nude pointed pumps by Jimmy Choo and carried a custom navy snakeskin clutch by Beauchamps of London.
During their action-packed day, the Edinburghs also met with Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino.
The Royal and Imperial families maintain a close relationship stretching back hundreds of years.
Before the sumo tournament, Sophie and Edward had been snapped as they participated in a tree planting ceremony at Akasaka State Guest House.
They planted an oak sapling in the house’s garden, symbolising the continuing close relationship between the Royal Family and the Imperial Family.
The sapling was taken from an English oak tree planted on the same grounds by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1975.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh arrived in Japan on September 18, and their trip will run until September 22.
