Yuzuru Hanyu, Japan's two-time Olympic figure skating champion, was among a large group of guests who on Wednesday attended a spring garden party hosted by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

Around 2,000 guests joined the biannual party, including speed skater Nao Kodaira, who won the 500-meter title at the Pyeongchang Olympics in February, and gold-medal winning speed skating sisters Miho and Nana Takagi. The other members of Japan's team pursuit squad who won gold with the Takagi sisters were also present, along with superstar Hanyu, who won the men's title in South Korea.

(Click play for Japanese audio of Hanyu's conversation with Emperor Akihito)

"The emperor, empress and other imperial family members had kind words for me, and this very much inspired me as I carry on with competitive figure skating," Hanyu said after the party.

Other invitees to the event at Akasaka Imperial Garden included two recipients of the government's People's Honor Award -- Yoshiharu Habu and Yuta Iyama, the champions of the traditional board games of shogi and Go, respectively.

Asked by the emperor how difficult it was after sustaining an ankle injury, Hanyu said, "I had a lot of things to learn while being unable to train on the ice. For example, I learned more efficient ways to move my body parts."

(Yuzuru Hanyu with fellow Pyeongchang Olympic medalists)

Hanyu's recovery from the injury he suffered during practice in November appeared slower than expected, leading to doubt whether he would be fit to win Olympic gold again.

"The injury limited my training shortly before the Olympics, but I believe I had done a lot up until I sustained the injury," Hanyu said to the emperor. "I realized things that I had missed during daily training. In that sense, it was a good opportunity (to accept that challenge)."

At the end of their conversation, the emperor wished Hanyu more success.

(Hanyu and shogi champion Yoshiharu Habu)

The garden party is held every spring and fall, with the emperor and other imperial family members mingling with guests from various fields, including popular culture, sports and politics.

The current emperor and empress are expected to host the party only two more times, as the 84-year-old emperor is set to abdicate on April 30, 2019. The event will continue to be hosted by the new emperor and empress.


More on Hanyu:

Sendai salutes hometown hero Yuzuru Hanyu

GALLERY: Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu's hometown parade

Hanyu wins 2nd consecutive Olympic gold

Hanyu treated after training fall ahead of NHK Trophy