Hasselt Japanese Garden

All paths are wide enough to be accessible for wheel chair users. Only the stepping stones in front of the waterfall and the road up to the small tea house on the hill are not accessible.

Do you need a hand? Let us know and we'll help you right away!

There is an accessible toilet available in the Japanese Garden.

• Use the alternative path to bypass the stepping stones at the waterfall.
• Book one of the two available wheelchairs ahead if necessary: this makes your visit more comfortable.

If you come visit us as a group of wheelchair users, please let us know, so we can open up the Western style tea house to improve your accessibility of the ceremony house.

Accessible paths

• Every little bridge and most paths are easily accessible.
• In the central pond, the W-shaped path is not accesible and neither are the steppingstones after.
• In the most right pond, the bridge across the pond is not accessible.
• Neither is the staircase that goes up towards the tea house

Assistance Dogs

• Assistance dogs are allowed in the Japanese Garden if you can show an official certificate.
• Every other pet is NOT allowed in the Japanese Garden. Not even small animals in your stroller or hand bag.

Discover the enchanting allure of Hasselt Japanese Garden, nestled in the heart of Hasselt, Belgium. This picturesque park is a captivating homage to traditional 17th-century Japanese landscaping, offering visitors an immersive experience in serene beauty. Spanning an impressive 250 hectares, it stands as the largest Japanese garden in Europe, boasting an exquisite array of cherry trees, cascading waterfalls, graceful bridges, and inviting tea houses, among other authentic features.

Crafted as a generous gift from the city of Itami, Japan, the garden's meticulous design is the work of renowned Japanese architect Takayuki Inoue. Throughout the year, visitors are treated to a tapestry of vibrant blossoms and engaging cultural events, ensuring each visit is a memorable journey into the heart of Japanese culture and tranquility.

For nature enthusiasts and admirers of Japanese heritage alike, Hasselt Japanese Garden beckons as an essential destination, promising an unforgettable blend of natural splendor and cultural immersion.

GUIDED TOURS:

As an individual visitor, do you want to really enjoy your visit? Then go out with a guide. They will tell you about the origins of the garden, its symbolism and Japanese customs.

The tour is conducted only in Dutch.

When

Every Sunday and holiday, the guided visit starts at 3 pm. and lasts an hour and a half.

Cost

€ 4.00 + entrance ticket purchased separately at the box office
€ 0.80 for UiTPAS holders entitled to a chance ticket + entrance ticket to be purchased separately at the box office.

Individual guide

If you want a guide for you alone or with a whole group of friends, book our guide for € 70 through group visits. For our English-, French-, and German-speaking guide, it costs € 80.

Tickets available from March 2024

• Cherry Blossom Festival - Hanami: March 8 to April 13, 2025
• Kamishibai Festival: April 27, 2025
• Bonsai Festival: May 3 and 4, 2025
• Rakugo Performance by Cyril Coppini: June 15, 2025
• Wish Festival - Tanabata: July 6, 2025
• Visual Poetry from Ishikawa: July 26 to August 9, 2025
• Obon Nocturne: August 8 and 9, 2025
• Manga and Cosplay Festival: September 6 and 7, 2025
• Chrysanthemum Festival - Kikumatsuri: October 18 to 26, 2025
• Flower Offering Ceremony: October 26, 2025

• Pets are not allowed. Only assistance dogs are allowed in the Japanese garden if you can show an official certificate.

In the Japanese Garden, there are no cafes or restaurants available. Nevertheless, there are vending machines offering a variety of hot and cold beverages along with small Japanese snacks for purchase.

Visitors are encouraged to bring their own picnic and enjoy it within the garden premises. The only requirement is to responsibly clean up after oneself and dispose of all waste properly in designated bins.

During special events and weekends, catering stands are set up, providing an opportunity to indulge in tasty Japanese delicacies.

Additionally, restroom facilities are located at the rear of the garden, with one restroom specifically designed to be accessible for wheelchair users.

Park H perimeter car park
During the works, you can park for free on Park H (corner between Universiteitslaan and Trichterheideweg, car park C) from 6am to 10pm.

How do you do it?

You take a ticket when entering at the Versuz barrier (only applicable there).
You can park in the zone between Universiteitslaan, Tricherheideweg and Versuz/Plopsa.
Do you want to drive outside? Your parking ticket can be validated via the parking app or via an ATM in the car park.
After validation, you can leave the car park for free.
Existing buses are used between the Provinciehuis bus stop and the city centre. You can take these free of charge to the city centre.

For more info: Boudewijnlaan gets its own tram bus bed | Hasselt