Half of imperial villa premises in Tochigi to open to public

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken June 19 2007 shows the premises of the Nasu Imperial Villa in Tochigi Prefecture and its vicinity. The Imperial Household Agency and the Environment Ministry said June 19 that they will permanently open to the public nearly half of the premises of the 1,200-hectare estate, possibly beginning in fiscal 2011 in response to Emperor Akihito's suggestion that it be used as a place where people can have contact with nature.