Photo/Illutration Prince Hisahito, left, appears impressed by the Grand Ring, a massive wooden structure at the Osaka-Kansai Expo venue, during his visit on Sept. 25. (Pool)

Prince Hisahito explored and experienced the Osaka-Kansai Expo in a two-day visit, marking his first public engagement outside Tokyo since his coming-of-age ceremony earlier this month.

The 19-year-old prince arrived in Osaka on the evening of Sept. 24.

On the first day, he toured the Japan Pavilion and the Belgium Pavilion. On the following morning, he returned to visit the expo's iconic Grand Ring structure and the Kansai Pavilion.

According to officials present, the prince appeared impressed by the scale of the venue, reportedly remarking, “It’s even larger than the Imperial Palace grounds.”

He showed a keen interest in the architectural techniques used in the Grand Ring, particularly those inspired by traditional Japanese methods that join wooden beams and pillars without nails.

At the pavilion featuring the culture and history of the local Kansai region, Hisahito engaged in hands-on exhibits, including touching a fossilized dinosaur dropping in the Fukui Prefecture section.

In the Tottori Prefecture booth, he explored the textures of sand from both the Tottori Sand Dunes and Jordan, and was presented with a sand sample from Tottori as a souvenir.

Now officially an adult member of the imperial family, the young prince is beginning to take on public duties while continuing his university studies.

Hisahito, the nephew of Emperor Naruhito, is second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne, following his father, Crown Prince Fumihito.

On Sept. 23, Hisahito also participated for the first time in an imperial religious rite, attending the annual autumn ceremony in Tokyo honoring his imperial ancestors.

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