HOKKAIDO, Mar 08, 2026 (News On Japan) - Prince Hisahito, the eldest son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko and second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne, joined children on the ski slopes during a visit to Hokkaido, where he was seen offering assistance to a child who had fallen.
Crown Princess Kiko and Hisahito visited Rusutsu Village in Hokkaido, where a hands-on event was held for children featuring ski orienteering, a sport that combines cross-country skiing with navigation.
"Is this the goal? Thank you," Hisahito said as he reached the finish.
Both Kiko and Hisahito have experience with ski orienteering, and during the event they skied at a relaxed pace alongside the children, carefully watching over participants. At one point, Hisahito stopped to offer a helping hand to a child who had fallen on the course.
A child who took part in the event said, "When I fell, Prince Hisahito stopped for me. I thought he was kind, skilled, and really cool."
After the event, Hisahito shared his impressions, saying he found the activity enjoyable. "Skiing through nature is fun, and when you manage to ski well, it gives you a real sense of accomplishment. I think it’s a very good sport," he said.
Hisahito, born in 2006, is the only male grandchild of Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko. Under Japan's Imperial Household Law, which limits succession to male members of the paternal line, the line of succession currently consists of Crown Prince Akishino followed by Hisahito, making the young prince the future heir to the throne after his father.
Source: TBS
