The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were snapped enjoying a sumo wrestling match on day one of their visit to Japan.

Sophie, 60, embraced the local culture, keeping a close eye on the action with a pair of binoculars at Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Arena in Tokyo on Friday.

The royal couple appeared to be enthralled with the Grand Sumo Tournament, as the Duke flicked through an event program while Sophie focused on Japan's national sport.

Mother-of-two Sophie, who beamed as she watched the match, was given a sumo wrestler plush toy, which she kept on the table beside her.

The Duke and Duchess, who joined thousands of fans in the jam-packed stadium, were seated in a plush spot in a box behind the ringside stands.

The tournament is one of six held in Japan each year in January, May and September, and it lasts for over two weeks.

Each day, it starts as early as 8am, with the lowest-ranked athletes hitting the ring first before the stadium fills up in the late afternoon as fans come to see the top wrestlers battle it out.

The Edinburghs' appearance comes ahead of the return of the Grand Sumo Tournament to the UK in October at the Royal Albert Hall.

The Duchess of Edinburgh (pictured) eagerly watched on as she attended a sumo wrestling tournament with her husband, the Duke, on the first day of their visit to Japan

Before the event, Sophie and Edward met and chatted with wrestler Asanoyama Hiroki.

They posed for photos with the wrestler and Chairman of the Sumo Association, Hakkaku Nobuyoshi, before heading into the arena for the games.

Sophie looked stylish in a £4,550 Valentino midi shirt dress with a paisley swirl and polka dot pattern, fringed tie belt and a pleated skirt.

The 60-year-old paired the designer frock with a pair of nude pointed pumps by Jimmy Choo and carried a custom navy snakeskin clutch by Beauchamps of London.

She kept her accessories simple with a pair of floral earrings and a gold pendant necklace.

Sophie's blonde locks were pulled back in a half-up, half-down style, and she wore natural make-up with a pink lip.

Meanwhile, Prince Edward looked dapper in a black double-breasted suit jacket over a blue checked shirt and red patterned tie.

Earlier in the day, the couple attended a reception at the newly launched MUSUBI initiative.

The tournament is one of six held in Japan each year in January, May and September, and lasts for over two weeks

She beamed as she watched on and was given a sumo wrestler plush toy, which she kept on the table beside her

Before the event, Sophie and Edward met and chatted with wrestler Asanoyama Hiroki (far left) and the Chairman of the Sumo Association Hakkaku Nobuyoshi (far right)

Earlier in the day, the couple participated in a tree planting ceremony at Akasaka State Guest House

They also went to meet with Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino

'MUSUBI' means 'connection' in Japanese, and the initiative was designed to build relationships between people and businesses in the UK and Japan.

They met with guests, staff and partners, including MUSUBI friendship ambassador Hello Kitty, and enjoyed a short musical performance before the Duke gave a 'kanpai' (toast) to celebrate the initiative's success.

The Duke and Duchess then went to meet with Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino.

The Royal and Imperial families maintain a close relationship stretching back hundreds of years.

Before the sumo tournament, Sophie and Edward were snapped as they participated in a tree planting ceremony at Akasaka State Guest House.

They planted an oak sapling in the house's garden, symbolising the continuing close relationship between the Royal Family and the Imperial Family. The sapling was taken from an English oak tree planted on the same grounds by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1975.

On Friday evening, they will end their busy day by meeting with the Emperor and Empress of Japan.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh arrived in Japan on September 18, and their trip will run until September 22.

Sophie watches a sumo wrestling match as she kicks off tour of Japan