Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh find lucky pine needles in sacred part of Japan

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh searched for pine needles, said to bring good luck, under a pine tree during their visit to Koyasan, a sacred mountainous area in Japan.

Edward and Sophie smiled as they showed schoolchildren their lucky findings.

The couple, who are in the country for a five-day visit, went to temples, a museum and a cemetery during their visit to the Unesco world heritage site.

After being greeted by schoolchildren waving Union flags, Sophie and Edward were shown Danjo Garan, a Buddhist temple and one of the most significant religious sites in Koyasan.

The duke and duchess were shown the correct way to enter Danjo Garan, by bowing and stepping over the threshold, before being taken to the Rokkaku Kyouzou, a pagoda-like tower built to house Buddhist scrolls.

Turning it is believed to bring the same spiritual merit as reciting the entire Buddhist canon, and Edward and Sophie helped to turn it together.

Earlier, the couple were taken around the Reihoukan Museum and shown Buddhist statues and art.

Founded in 1921, the museum was created to preserve and exhibit Koyasan’s cultural heritage, with approximately 100,000 items, 21 designated as national treasures.

The duke and duchess have had a packed schedule during their trip, visiting Tokyo and Osaka.