Japanese Princess Mako (L) is welcomed by Honduras’ First Lady Ana Garcia de Hernandez upon her arrival at the international airport in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, on December 6, 2015
Photo Courtesy: Honduras Presidential Palace

The 24-year-old princess, the granddaughter of Emperor Akihito, was greeted by Honduran First Lady Ana Garcia de Hernandez at the airport.

Her stay in Honduras is part of the princess’ two-country tour of Central America which began when she arrived in El Salvador late Wednesday.

Japanese Princess Mako (L) is welcomed by Honduras’ First Lady Ana Garcia de Hernandez on December 6, 2015
Photo Courtesy: Honduras Presidential Palace

Honduras has declared 2015 a “year of friendship” with Japan, commemorating eight decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The princess was expected to visit the Copan archaeological site of Mayan ruins following her arrival, according to her official program.

On Tuesday she will meet President Juan Orlando Hernandez and his wife at their presidential residence.

The visit marks is the princess’ first official trip abroad without other members of Japan’s imperial family.

She most recently spent the last year in Britain, quietly completing a masters in art museum and gallery studies at the University of Leicester. She is to officially graduate in January.

Japan opened formal diplomatic ties with El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Costa Rica in 1935.