On June 4, 2023, Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited Iwate Prefecture. Iwate Prefecture was one of the disaster areas of Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami in 2011. The Emperor and Empress attended the 73rd National Tree Planting Festival in Rikuzentakata. The festival took place at Takatamatsubara Memorial Park for Tsunami Disaster in the Iwate Prefecture city.