East Japan city to mark 1,300 yrs of ties with ancient Korea

East Japan city to mark 1,300 yrs of ties with ancient Korea

SAITAMA, Japan, Dec. 1 Kyodo - Fumiyasu Koma, chief priest of Koma Shrine in Hidaka, Saitama Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, poses for a photo on Nov. 19, 2015. Hidaka city is hosting a series of events for the 1,300th anniversary, to be marked in 2016, of the formation of the former Koma township where descendants of Koguryo, one of the ancient Three Kingdoms of Korea, moved and settled before and after the fall of the monarchy.

Tokyo Olympic torch relay

Tokyo Olympic torch relay

People wearing ancient costumes take part in the Tokyo Olympic torch relay on July 6, 2021, at Koma Shrine in the Saitama Prefecture city of Hidaka, eastern Japan.

Emperor, empress visit shrine related to ancient Korean settlers

Emperor, empress visit shrine related to ancient Korean settlers

Japanese Emperor Akihito (2nd from L) and Empress Michiko (3rd from L) visit Koma Shrine in Hidaka, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 20, 2017. The shrine is known for its connection with settlers from Goguryeo, an ancient Korean kingdom. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Emperor, empress visit shrine related to ancient Korean settlers

Emperor, empress visit shrine related to ancient Korean settlers

Japanese Emperor Akihito (front 3rd from R) and Empress Michiko (front 2nd from R) visit Koma Shrine in Hidaka, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 20, 2017. The shrine is known for its connection with settlers from Goguryeo, an ancient Korean kingdom. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Emperor, empress visit shrine related to ancient Korean settlers

Emperor, empress visit shrine related to ancient Korean settlers

Japanese Emperor Akihito (front L) and Empress Michiko (front 2nd from L) visit Koma Shrine in Hidaka, Saitama Prefecture, on Sept. 20, 2017. The shrine is known for its connection with settlers from Goguryeo, an ancient Korean kingdom. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo