This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake.

On April 7, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko were on the second day of their two-day trip to Fukushima Prefecture that was devastated by triple disasters comprising quakes, tsunami and a nuclear accident.

A well-wisher filmed the moment the imperial family passed by.

S/ Well-wisher / Empress Masako, I love you! Your Majesties! Princess Aiko! So pretty! Thank you!

S/ Well-wisher / When I called out to them, they looked this way. That was truly wonderful.

S/ Tomioka resident / Even after 15 years, the visit was encouraging. I am very grateful for the compassion they have shown toward us evacuees.

S/ Tomioka resident / This area is a symbol of Futaba district, so I think the cherry blossoms are also happy. As a local, I am deeply moved.

Even as an evacuation order remained in place following the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, the cherry trees here continued to bloom and became a symbol of recovery.

At the time the triple disaster struck, Aiko was 9 years old.

In the 15 years that have passed, this is the first time for any member of Japan's imperial family to visit Tomioka, where parts of the town remain designated as “difficult-to-return” zones.

After passing the street lined with cherry blossoms, the emperor and his family visited a museum that conveys lessons learned from the compounded effects of natural and nuclear disasters.

S/ Kindergarteners / Your Majesty, the Emperor!

As they greeted officials at the Historical Archive Museum of Tomioka, the three also turned to smile and wave to local kindergarten children.

S/ Kindergarteners / Your Majesty, the Emperor!

Inside the facility, they viewed exhibits including a police car that was swept away by the tsunami along with two police officers who were guiding residents during the evacuation.

Officials said that when the museum's deputy director said the officers' parents still cannot bear to look at the car, the empress remarked that people still carry various feelings even after 15 years.

Wherever the emperor and his family went, people gathered along the roadside hoping to catch a glimpse of them.

S/ Okuma resident / I'm on the verge of tears because I'm so happy. I'm deeply moved. I feel grateful.

In the town of Okuma, the family observed classes for children at an educational facility.

S/ Students / Hello!

They watched while elementary school students gave presentations about their interests and hobbies.

They also spoke with survivors, including a man who had worked as a security guard at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant at the time of the disaster.

S/ Emperor Naruhito / It must have been difficult when the disaster occurred.

S/ Princess Aiko / How far was the emergency response room from Unit 1?

S/ Survivor / I think it was about 500 meters away.

While they listened to accounts of the harsh conditions at the time, they also shared moments of laughter.

S/ Princess Aiko / Do you also have a dog?

S/ Survivor / Yes, a Shiba Inu that will turn 15 this year.

S/ Princess Aiko / Very long-lived.

They showed empathy to each individual they spoke with and offered warm words of encouragement.

Their last stop in Fukushima Prefecture was a roadside station, or government-designated rest area, in the town of Namie.

The emperor, empress and princess saw local traditional crafts including the Obori Soma ware and asked about the state of traditional industries following the disasters.

S/ Emperor Naruhito / How are the cracks made? Do they always appear?

S/ Obori Soma ware cooperative director / They always appear.

The family showed interest in the blue cracks that cover the entire surface and are one of the defining features of Obori Soma ware.

Large crowds also gathered as they left their final destination.

Well-wishers also came to JR Fukushima Station to see them off and erupted into cheers as the three arrived.

They responded with smiles and waves until the very end of their stay.

The imperial family returned to Tokyo on the night of April 7 aboard a special shinkansen strain.