THIMPHU, Bhutan--Twelve-year-old Prince Hisahito paid a courtesy visit to Bhutan's king and queen on Aug. 19 with his parents, Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko, during his first overseas trip.

The three met the Himalayan kingdom’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema at the Tashichho Dzong, which houses government agencies and a Buddhist monastery.

The imperial family members were welcomed with traditional Bhutanese dances and songs. Hisahito, clad in a Japanese "hakama" skirt, appeared nervous as he made his way along the red carpet.

In the central courtyard of the Tashichho Dzong building, mandalas welcoming the family were raised on the central tower. Details of the meeting between the Japanese imperial family members and the royal couple were not disclosed.

Bhutan's king and queen visited Japan in November 2011 as state guests and met with elementary school students in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, which was devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami in March that year.

In 2017, Princess Mako visited Bhutan and thanked the royal couple for their visit to Fukushima Prefecture. Exchanges between the imperial family and the royal family have continued since.

After having lunch with the royal couple, Hisahito and Fumihito took part in archery, Bhutan’s national sport, at a national archery field in Thimphu. When Hisahito’s arrow flew a few meters, children watching him burst into applause, eliciting blushes from the prince.