IZUMO, Shimane - Princess Noriko, the second daughter of the late Prince Takamado, flew into Izumo, Shimane Prefecture, on Saturday morning for her marriage Sunday to Kunimaro Senge, a priest at Izumo Taisha grand shrine.

Wearing a light pink two-piece suit, the 26-year-old bride-to-be arrived in Izumo accompanied by her mother, Princess Hisako, at about 11:20 a.m. Saturday. Smiling gently, she walked into the Izumo Airport lounge where Senge, 41, was waiting.

"I'm glad you could come to Izumo, a place where people find fateful encounters," said Izumo Mayor Hideto Nagaoka, who was in the lounge with Senge.

Princess Noriko responded with, "Thank you. I beg your kindness from now on." The princess left by bus for a hotel in the city.

Prior to the trip, the princess stood on the porch of the Takamado mansion where she lives at Minato Ward, Tokyo. Her grandparents, Prince Takahito of Mikasa, 98, and his wife, Princess Yuriko, 91, were present to see her off, along with the princess' older sister Princess Tsuguko, 28, and younger sister Ayako, 24, who waved.

Before getting in a car to take her to the airport, Princess Noriko looked back again and again, and bowed deeply to the grandparents. She gazed at the house where she was raised, apparently filled with emotion. The princess left with a smile, waving her hand.

The wedding ceremony of Princess Noriko and Senge will be held at the Izumo Taisha grand shrine in Izumo from 11 a.m. on Sunday.