Seedai, murukku and thattai. That’s the first taste of the city and South India that Japan’s royal couple Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko were treated to, once they landed here on Wednesday. The typical South Indian snacks were laid out for the royal visitors at the Taj Coromandel’s uber-famous Royal Suite, where they are staying during their two-day visit. From the food to the places they’re set to visit, it is evident that they’re looking to soak up as much of Tamil Nadu culture as possible.
The Emperor and Empress landed at 2 pm on what is believed to be a Boeing 747, specially designed for state visits and urgent deployment. With the callsign Japanese Air Force One, the 140-seater is used by the Japanese Emperor, Prime Minister and other high-ranking officials. “After landing at Chennai it taxied over to the VVIP reception area amid high security. The Emperor and Empress exited through VIP gates 5 and 6 along with their entourage,” said an AAI officer. Sources in Air Traffic Control said another 747, believed to be Japanese Air Force Two, will be arriving here on Thursday to ferry the royal couple to their next destination.
After witnessing a performance at the Kalakshetra Foundation, the visitors checked into the Royal Suite — which is opened only for the likes of Queen Elizabeth II, Jimmy Carter, Prince Andrew, Bill and Hillary Clinton and most recently, Jackie Chan, as well as visiting Union ministers and honchos.
“We are serving them a degustation South Indian breakfast with idlis, vadas and special dishes like appam and scallop moilee from the Southern Spice restaurant,” said Taj Executive Chef Alok Anand. They will be treated to a mahavirundhu on Thursday, served on gold plates, with dishes like kozhi kurumilagu chaaru (chicken). Sources said the Emperor was “impressed” with the arrangements.
