Japan's Imperial Family Hosts Olympic Athletes at Annual Garden Party

The guest list included Japan's first Olympic gold medalists in women's snowboarding and pairs figure skating.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 8:38pm by

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An abstract, expressionist painting in vibrant neon colors capturing the dynamic movements of Olympic athletes competing in winter sports, with their faces and equipment blending into a swirling, energetic composition.The imperial garden party in Tokyo celebrates Japan's athletic excellence and national pride, with Olympic champions mingling among the country's cultural luminaries.San Francisco Today

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan hosted their annual spring garden party at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Tokyo, welcoming approximately 1,750 guests, including members of Japan's 2026 Winter Olympics team, a Nobel laureate, and a baseball legend.

Why it matters

The Japanese imperial family's garden parties are a longstanding tradition that bring together prominent figures from various fields, showcasing Japan's national pride and celebrating its athletic, academic, and cultural achievements.

The details

Among the notable athletes in attendance were figure skating champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, who won silver in the team event and Japan's first-ever gold medal in pairs figure skating in Milan in February. Snowboarder Kokomo Murase, the first Japanese woman to claim a gold medal in snowboarding, was also present, as was Sadaharu Oh, a former player in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league who holds the world record for career home runs.

  • The garden party took place on Friday, April 17, 2026.
  • The Japanese imperial family hosts these events twice a year, once in spring and once in autumn.

The players

Emperor Naruhito

The current Emperor of Japan, who hosted the annual garden party.

Empress Masako

The wife of Emperor Naruhito and the Empress of Japan, who co-hosted the event.

Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara

Japan's figure skating champions who won silver in the team event and gold in pairs figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Kokomo Murase

The first Japanese woman to claim a gold medal in snowboarding, winning the big air competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina.

Sadaharu Oh

A former player in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league who holds the world record for career home runs with 868.

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What they’re saying

“The gathering also included 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry laureate Susumu Kitagawa, a specially appointed professor at Kyoto University, and voice actor Masako Nozawa, known for her roles in several anime series, including the global hit franchise Dragon Ball.”

— NHK World, Japanese news agency

The takeaway

The annual imperial garden party in Tokyo showcases Japan's national pride, celebrating its athletic, academic, and cultural achievements, and bringing together a diverse group of prominent figures, from Olympic champions to Nobel laureates.