Shinzo Abe's funeral: Japan bids farewell to its longest-serving Prime Minister | Pics

Thousands of mourners on Tuesday thronged pavements along the street to pay their last respects to Shinzo Abe’s mortal remains.

The hearse departed from the central Tokyo Temple for a procession through the city.

Mourners waited in lines carrying flowers, bouquets and Abe’s photographs while paying tribute.

The 67-year old leader was shot dead on Friday while he was delivering a campaign speech in southern Japan’s city of Nara.

Abe was the longest-running Prime Minister of Japan.

Although the funeral rites were for family members and close associates only, long lines of people, some dressed in black, came to the Zojoji temple to pay respects.