Japan's imperial palace garden reopens

Japan has reopened gardens at the Imperial Palace to the public following a two-month closure due to the coronavirus crisis as the country cautiously lifts restrictions.

The Imperial Household Agency on Tuesday resumed the public opening of the East Gardens of the palace in the heart of Tokyo.

But the number of visitors is limited to 50 people each in the morning and afternoon as part of its preventive measures against the virus.

Visitors are requested to wear face masks and palace staff take their temperatures at the entrance of the palace.

The green oasis surrounded by upscale hotels and bustling business districts is a major tourist destination in Japan though the number of overseas visitors to the country plunged by 99.9 per cent in April year-on-year due to a pandemic-induced travel ban.

Emperor Naruhito ascended the Chrysanthemum throne on May 1, 2019, a day after his father Akihito stepped down in Japan's first abdication in 202 years.