Palace skinny dip spares no blushes

A naked man led police in Tokyo on a two-hour chase in and around the moat of Japan's Imperial Palace.

The moats around Japan's Imperial Palace are not the usual place for a quick a dip - particularly a naked one.

But this man - thought to be a Spaniard - was clearly not bothered by the chilly autumn weather or the smirks of a few nearby tourists.

He spent nearly two hours skinny dipping in the moat and climbing its walls while police gave chase.

Every time an officer tried to approach him he either splashed them or pelted them with rocks.

The Palace is home to the Emperor and Empress and the moats are considered sacred.

It's not clear if the royal couple were at home at the time but some locals were clearly not amused.

(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) UNIDENTIFIED WITNESS SAYING:

"I've never heard of anyone doing such a thing. They're usually pretty strict around here. He must be a bit crazy. Normal people would know it's just not the right thing to do."

Police eventually took the man into custody.

Locals say he'd dropped a bag into the water before he plunged in.

But the motive for his immodesty remains a mystery.

Sonia Legg, Reuters.