Ippan Sanga

Tokyo has danced all night long, the New Year is greeted with great passion. The Japanese have celebrated the last night of the year and are enjoying the charm of the fresh new day of the brand new year. The 1st date of the year bringing all the happiness to the people of Tokyo is followed by the first major festival of the year, the Ippan Sanga. Ippan Sanga is the day, when His highness, the Emperor of Japan and the Imperial Family meets the general public and exchange greetings and wishes. This event takes place in the grounds of the Imperial Palace in central Tokyo.

Ippan Sanga is amongst the only two occasions in Japan when the general public is permitted to meet the Emperor and in turn enter the inner grounds of the Imperial Palace. A celebration called Tenno Tanjobi on 23 December is the only other occasion when the general public is allowed to meet the royal family. The people of Tokyo feel proud to participate in the occasion, as this is a rare chance to catch a glimpse of the Emperor. It's not just the Japanese in numbers but many foreigners as well flock in to the ground to witness the rare happening. Everyone feels rejoiced when they see their Highness waving his hands to greet them on the eve of the New Year.

People start flocking on the famed Nijubashi Bridge from early in the morning to watch their beloved Emperor. The process begins from 9.30 in the morning and continues till 3 in the afternoon. The family appears at an hourly interval at the palace balcony screened with a bulletproof glass.

The Royal family is greeted with a sea of waving red and white Japanese flag. The atmosphere becomes electrifying with the enchanting sound of "Banzai", meaning 'long life' for the Emperor. This ritual is followed by the annual New Year address of the Emperor to the people of Tokyo. This message is broadcast on the Television for the whole nation of Japan.

Presently the ceremony is presided by the current Emperor Akihito who succeeded the throne in 1989 after the death of his father, the Showa Emperor Hirohito. The Emperor is accompanied by Empress Michiko, the Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako and several other members of the Imperial Family.

People of Tokyo waits for this occasion as they truly respect their Monarch and they love to celebrate the event.

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