Japan's Emperor Naruhito completed his ascension to the Chrysanthemum throne on Tuesday in a ceremony steeped in the traditions and grandeur of a monarchy that claims 2,000 years of history.

The royal couple will perform the enthronement ceremonies in front of thousands of guests including foreign dignitaries
The royal couple will perform the enthronement ceremonies in front of thousands of guests including foreign dignitaries JIJI PRESS / JAPAN POOL VIA JIJI PRESS
The emperor will wear elaborate robes that are rarely seen outside of official ceremonies and marriage
The emperor will wear elaborate robes that are rarely seen outside of official ceremonies and marriage AFP / HANDOUT
Empress Masako's multi-layered kimono will be so heavy that it will be hard for her to move
Empress Masako's multi-layered kimono will be so heavy that it will be hard for her to move AFP / HANDOUT

The rituals cemented a transition that began with his father's abdication earlier this year, and drew royalty and political leaders from around the world.

The royal couple will perform the ceremony from two highly decorated thrones
The royal couple will perform the ceremony from two highly decorated thrones JIJI PRESS / STR
Emperor Naruhito has sought to protect his wife Masako, who struggled with the transition to cloistered palace life
Emperor Naruhito has sought to protect his wife Masako, who struggled with the transition to cloistered palace life POOL / ludovic MARIN

A public parade for the event was postponed after a deadly typhoon, but the government went ahead with the granting of pardons for more than half a million people convicted of minor offences including traffic violations.

A public parade for the royal couple has been postponed after a devastating typhoon in Japan
A public parade for the royal couple has been postponed after a devastating typhoon in Japan AFP / Behrouz MEHRI
The emperor began the day with a ceremony to "report" his enthronement proclamation to his ancestors and the gods
The emperor began the day with a ceremony to "report" his enthronement proclamation to his ancestors and the gods JIJI PRESS / STR

The main event took place in the Imperial Palace's Pine Room, where royal attendants drew back purple curtains hanging from two heavily adorned structures housing the imperial thrones, revealing the emperor and empress standing inside.

The day's proceedings began with Emperor Naruhito visiting a series of "sanctuaries" to report the ceremonies to his ancestors and the gods
The day's proceedings began with Emperor Naruhito visiting a series of "sanctuaries" to report the ceremonies to his ancestors and the gods Japan Pool via Jiji Press / STR

"I hereby declare my enthronement at home and abroad," Naruhito said, dressed in a voluminous draped robe topped with a copper overcoat.

The enthronement ceremonies feature rarely seen garments and imperial regalia
The enthronement ceremonies feature rarely seen garments and imperial regalia Japan Pool via Jiji Press / STR
Empress Masako sports several outfits for the ceremonies, consisting of multiple layers of kimonos that can make movement difficult
Empress Masako sports several outfits for the ceremonies, consisting of multiple layers of kimonos that can make movement difficult Japan Pool via Jiji Press / STR

Empress Masako, a Harvard-educated former diplomat, stood silently before her throne in a similar, smaller structure, wearing a multi-layered kimono and a highly stylised hairpiece.

Members of the royal family including Crown Prince Akishino attended the first ceremonies of the day
Members of the royal family including Crown Prince Akishino attended the first ceremonies of the day JIJI PRESS / STR
Facing Emperor Naruhito on his throne, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe exclaimed 'Banzai!' or 'Long live the emperor' three times
Facing Emperor Naruhito on his throne, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe exclaimed 'Banzai!' or 'Long live the emperor' three times POOL / ISSEI KATO

Naruhito pledged to "pray for the happiness of Japanese people and world peace" and "fulfil my duty as the symbol of Japan and of the unity of the people of Japan."

Set in the palace's Pine Room were the two structures housing the thrones, draped with purple curtains that were ceremonially opened to reveal the royal couple standing within
Set in the palace's Pine Room were the two structures housing the thrones, draped with purple curtains that were ceremonially opened to reveal the royal couple standing within POOL / Kazuhiro NOGI
Empress Masako wore a multi-layered kimono, trailed by attendants to help her move in the weighty outfit
Empress Masako wore a multi-layered kimono, trailed by attendants to help her move in the weighty outfit Japan Pool via Jiji Press / STR

In the evening, he hosted around 400 of the assembled royalty and dignitaries to a sumptuous banquet at the palace where traditional Japanese court music was played and the guests were allowed to have closer views of the throne.

Graphic showing Japan's Imperial thrones as the new Emperor Naruhito formally ascends the throne in an elaborate ceremony on October 22.
Graphic showing Japan's Imperial thrones as the new Emperor Naruhito formally ascends the throne in an elaborate ceremony on October 22. AFP / Laurence CHU

According to local media, the dinner was Japanese style and the menu included steamed abalone, smoked salmon, asparagus wrapped with beef, "chawanmushi" steamed egg custard dish and clear soup with Japanese lobster and matsutake mushrooms.

The Netherland's King Willem-Alexander (C) and Queen Maxima were among the 2,000 guests attending the ceremony marked by the pomp and tradition of a dynasty that claims more than 2,000 years of history
The Netherland's King Willem-Alexander (C) and Queen Maxima were among the 2,000 guests attending the ceremony marked by the pomp and tradition of a dynasty that claims more than 2,000 years of history POOL / Koji Sasahara
The once-in-a-generation ceremony was attended by representatives from around 180 countries and institutions
The once-in-a-generation ceremony was attended by representatives from around 180 countries and institutions POOL / ISSEI KATO

'Historic moment'

Standing before him, flanked by royal family members also wearing heavily decorated traditional robes, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe promised the people of Japan would "respect your highness the emperor as the symbol of the state and of the unity of the Japanese people."

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe led the guests in three cheers of "Banzai!" or "Long live the Emperor"
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe led the guests in three cheers of "Banzai!" or "Long live the Emperor" Japanese Government / Handout
Empress Masako, a Harvard-educated former diplomat, remained silent during the ceremony
Empress Masako, a Harvard-educated former diplomat, remained silent during the ceremony POOL / ISSEI KATO

He then raised his hands three times, shouting "Banzai!" or "Long live the emperor!"

A public parade for the event was cancelled but people in Tokyo watched the proceedings on big screens in the city
A public parade for the event was cancelled but people in Tokyo watched the proceedings on big screens in the city AFP / Toshifumi KITAMURA
Dignitaries from around the world including Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and Crown Princess Victoria attended the ceremony
Dignitaries from around the world including Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and Crown Princess Victoria attended the ceremony POOL / Koji Sasahara

The solemn ceremony was conducted almost entirely in silence, with royal family members gliding wordlessly into the room and standing throughout.

A small crowd of well-wishers gathered outside the palace despite driving rain and the cancellation of a parade
A small crowd of well-wishers gathered outside the palace despite driving rain and the cancellation of a parade AFP / CHARLY TRIBALLEAU
The ceremony cements a transition that began earlier this year with former emperor Akihito's abdication
The ceremony cements a transition that began earlier this year with former emperor Akihito's abdication AFP / Behrouz MEHRI

Only the sounds of a gong and drum signalled the stages of the ritual, with a low, loud beat indicating to guests representing around 180 countries and institutions that it was time to stand and hear the proclamation.

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And it was over almost as soon as it had begun, with attendants closing the purple curtains and the royals quietly moving out of the room.

Outside, a small crowd of well-wishers gathered despite driving rain that forced the palace to move some of the guests inside.

They watched the ceremony on their phones outside and listened as a gun salute was sounded when it was complete.

"I feel as a Japanese person that this is such a historic moment," said Kyoko Tanaka, 51.

"I want the royal couple to be a good example for Japanese people, like their predecessors were," she added.

Succession worries

Others too said they had felt compelled to come to the palace, despite the parade being postponed until November 10.

"I know we can't see the ceremony, but I wanted to feel the atmosphere in front of the palace," Shoko Koeda said, watching the proceedings on her phone.

"This is a historic moment. I feel special."

The Japanese royal family commands relatively broad support, although polls suggest the younger generation is less interested in the monarchy.

A poll released by national broadcaster NHK on the eve of the ceremony found 70 percent of voters in the country hold "friendly or favourable" views towards the imperial family.

But despite the support, the monarchy that is sometimes described as the world's oldest faces other concerns, particularly succession.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako have one child, a 17-year-old daughter named Aiko. But imperial rules allow only a man to ascend the throne, and royal women lose their titles if they marry a commoner.

The question of altering the succession rules has been raised -- NHK found 74 percent support the shift -- but no formal moves have yet been made to make the changes.