In Photos: The first day of the Reiwa era

Emperor Naruhito enters the Imperial Palace by the Hanzomon gate for the "Kenji-to-Shokei-no-gi" accession ceremony in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, on May 1, 2019. (Mainichi/Kazuki Yamazaki)

Emperor Naruhito enters the Imperial Palace by the Hanzomon gate for the "Kenji-to-Shokei-no-gi" accession ceremony in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, on May 1, 2019. (Mainichi/Yuki Miyatake)

Crown Prince Akishino, Emperor Naruhito's younger brother, enters the Imperial Palace in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, for the "Kenji-to-Shokei-no-gi" ceremony on May 1, 2019. (Mainichi/Yuki Miyatake)

Emperor Naruhito's motorcade enters the Imperial Palace in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, via the Hanzomon gate on the morning of May 1, 2019. (Mainichi/Yuki Miyatake)

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife Akie Abe arrive at the Imperial Palace for the "Kenji-to-Shokei-no-gi" accession ceremony in Tokyo, Chiyoda Ward, on May 1, 2019. (Mainichi/Akihiro Ogomori)

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife Akie Abe arrive at the Imperial Palace for the "Kenji-to-Shokei-no-gi" accession ceremony in Tokyo, Chiyoda Ward, on May 1, 2019. (Mainichi/Akihiro Ogomori)

Crowds gather opposite the Nijubashi Bridge at the Imperial Palace, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, on May 1, 2019. (Mainichi/Koichiro Tezuka)

Crowds of people gather from across Japan and the world outside the Imperial Palace, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, on May 1, 2019. (Mainichi/Koichiro Tezuka)

People take photos at the Kokyo Gaien National Garden at the Imperial Palace, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, on May 1, 2019. (Mainichi/Koichiro Tezuka)

Emperor Naruhito is seen during the "Kenji-to-Shokei-no-gi" accession ceremony in the "Matsu no Ma" room at the Imperial Palace, in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, on May 1, 2019. (Mainichi/Masahiro Ogawa)

The "Kenji-to-Shokei-no-gi" accession ceremony is seen at the "Matsu no Ma" room at the Imperial Palace, in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, on May 1, 2019. (Mainichi/Masahiro Ogawa)

Emperor Naruhito participates in the "Kenji-to-Shokei-no-gi" accession ceremony at the "Matsu no Ma" room in the Imperial Palace, in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, on May 1, 2019. (Mainichi/Masahiro Ogawa)

Empress Masako arrives at the Imperial Palace for the "Sokui-go-Choken-no-gi" ceremony with Emperor Naruhito, in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, on May 1, 2019. (Mainichi/Yuki Miyatake)

Crown Princess Kiko arrives at the Imperial Palace for the "Sokui-go-Choken-no-gi" ceremony, in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, on May 1, 2019. (Mainichi/Yuki Miyatake)

Emperor Naruhito gives a speech during the "Sokui-go-Choken-no-gi" ceremony in the "Matsu no Ma" room at the Imperial Palace, in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, on May 1, 2019. (Mainichi/Junichi Sasaki)

Members of the Imperial Family listen as Emperor Naruhito gives a speech during the "Sokui-go-Choken-no-gi" ceremony in the "Matsu no Ma" room at the Imperial Palace, in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, on May 1, 2019. (Pool photo)

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are seen leaving the "Matsu no Ma" room after the "Sokui-go-Choken-no-gi" ceremony at the Imperial Palace, in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, on May 1, 2019. (Pool photo)