Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako departed from Haneda Airport on Saturday for an official state-guest visit to the Netherlands and Belgium [1, 2].

The trip marks a significant diplomatic effort to reinforce ties between Japan and the European nations. It is the first time the Emperor and Empress have visited the Netherlands as state guests in 13 years [1, 2].

The royal couple left Tokyo around 11:00 JST on June 13, 2026 [1, 2]. They are expected to arrive in Amsterdam early the following morning, June 14, Japan time [1]. This journey represents the fourth official state-guest visit undertaken by the couple since their accession [1].

The itinerary includes a stay in the Netherlands until June 20, 2026 [1]. Following the visit to the Netherlands, the royal couple will travel to Belgium. This combined itinerary is notable as it is the first time in 24 years that the Emperor and Empress have visited two countries during a single trip [1].

The couple is scheduled to return to Japan on June 26, 2026 [1]. While in Europe, they will attend official ceremonies, and engage in diplomatic activities intended to strengthen bilateral relations [1, 2, 3].

“First visit to the Netherlands as a state guest in 13 years”

This visit signals a strategic prioritization of European diplomatic relations for the Japanese Imperial House. By combining visits to the Netherlands and Belgium, the Emperor and Empress are utilizing a format not seen in over two decades to maximize diplomatic outreach, emphasizing the importance of these specific bilateral ties in the current geopolitical climate.