Japanese Garden
Japanse tuin

You don’t have to go to Japan to experience Japanese culture, nestled in the heart of Limburg province is Europe’s largest Japanese garden!

Hasselt’s Japanese Tuin ('garden' in Dutch) was created as a symbol of friendship between the inhabitants of the Belgian city and their sister city of Itami, Japan. The garden is designed in the traditional (17th century) Japanese style, think cherry blossoms, waterfalls, wooden bridges, koi ponds, tea houses. Despite being in Belgium, you very much feel like you are experiencing a small slice of Japan. Traditionally, Japanese gardens are meant to encourage meditation and reflection. So, if you are looking to relax, a calm stroll through the 250 cherry blossom trees listening to the distant sound of waterfalls, will definitely do the trick.

A highlight of the garden is a large koi pond, filled with colourful fish that will happily approach you at the first signs of food (small bags of fish food are available for you to purchase). You are also welcome to bring a picnic, as long as you make sure to clean up after yourself.

However, if you want a greater cultural experience then you could plan your visit to coincide with one of the Japanese cultural events that the garden hosts throughout the year:

• In April you can experience the Hanami party and enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms.
• In July the garden hosts Tanabata, a star festival.
• In mid-August, you can experience Obon-matsuri, a Japanese Buddhist custom to honour the spirits of one’s ancestors and a lantern festival.
• In mid-late October you can attend the annual, autumnal Chrysanthemum Festival - Kiku Matsuri.

Fun fact: Visitors in cosplay go free!