The Emperor and Empress of Japan arrived at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol on June 14, 2026, for a state visit to the Netherlands [1].
This visit serves to strengthen the friendship between Japan and the Netherlands following an invitation from the Dutch royal couple [1], [2]. The trip includes a return to a site where the imperial family previously spent time together.
The imperial couple landed at approximately 2 a.m. Japan time on June 14 [1] after a flight lasting about 15 hours [1]. Following their arrival, they traveled to Het Oude Louw Castle in Apeldoorn, where they will stay from June 14 through June 16 [1].
The stay at the castle marks a return to a location where the family rested 20 years ago [1]. During the current visit, a black swan appeared in the castle moat, the same species of bird that Princess Aiko fed during the family's previous stay two decades ago [1].
Following the stay at the castle, the Emperor and Empress are scheduled to attend official events in Amsterdam on June 17 [1].
“The imperial couple landed at approximately 2 a.m. Japan time on June 14.”
The visit emphasizes the enduring personal and diplomatic ties between the Japanese and Dutch monarchies. By revisiting Het Oude Louw Castle, the imperial couple highlights a long-term continuity in relations that spans two decades, blending formal state diplomacy with personal family history to soften the image of bilateral relations.
