Guide

Japanese Garden Clingendael 2027 opening and booking

The Japanese Garden on the Clingendael estate in The Hague reopens in spring, at the end of April 2027 according to the municipality; exact dates are not out yet. A visit is free, but since autumn 2026 you must reserve a timeslot in advance.

Updated on Thursday 12 November 2026

At a glance

Next opening: Spring: the end of April 2027 (dates to be announced)
Last openings: Spring 2026: 23 April to 7 June; autumn 2026: 10 to 25 October
Entry: Free, with a reserved timeslot
Hours in autumn 2026: Daily 10:00 to 16:00
Where: In the middle of Landgoed Clingendael, at the Wassenaarseweg, The Hague
Run by: Municipality of The Hague

What is the Japanese Garden at Clingendael?

The Japanese Garden lies in the middle of the Clingendael estate in The Hague. The municipality describes it as the oldest and largest Japanese garden in the country; it has had national monument status since 2001.

Freule Daisy van Brienen had it made, a century ago and more, with objects brought from Japan. At first only her guests could see it; the public has been allowed in since the 1960s. To spare the moss and the old plants, it opens only for short periods.

When is the Japanese Garden open in 2027?

The garden is open twice a year, in spring and in autumn. For 2027 the municipality says the garden reopens at the end of April; exact dates and opening hours are not announced yet.

To give an idea: in spring 2026 the garden was open from 23 April to 7 June, from 10:00 to 20:00, and in autumn 2026 from 10 to 25 October, from 10:00 to 16:00. Those are the 2026 openings, not the 2027 dates.

How do you reserve a timeslot?

A visit is free, but since the autumn of 2026 you have to book a timeslot in advance. You do this through the booking page that the municipality links from its Japanese Garden page; reservations for the autumn of 2026 opened on 17 September.

The municipality says it introduced booking because the garden's growing popularity had caused long queues and crowds, and the moss, plants and heritage need protection. It advises booking early. Questions: ring the municipality on 14070.

What can you see?

In spring the garden has azaleas, rhododendrons and flowering cherry trees, in autumn Japanese maples. There is a tea house (theeschenkerij) just outside the garden.

It is quieter just after it opens and again later in the day.

How do you get there?

The garden is in the middle of the estate, at the Wassenaarseweg; follow the signs for the Japanse tuin. There is parking on the public roads around the estate. By bus, HTM line 23 (stop Wassenaarseweg Oost), HTM line 20 (stop Wassenaarseweg West) and Qbuzz line 385 (stop Laan van Clingendael) each leave you about an 11-minute walk from the garden.

Wheelchair and rollator users have a separate entrance with an adapted route through part of the garden, with wider paths and no narrow footbridges. There is no toilet at the garden; there is one at the entrance of the estate, and it is not wheelchair accessible.

What are the rules?

The paths are narrow, so pushchairs and buggies are not allowed. Children may come in but must stay with an adult on the path. Wedding photo shoots are not allowed.

Dogs are not allowed either, except assistance dogs.

Japanese Garden at Clingendael events

Japanese Garden at Clingendael: no event is announced in the Netherlands yet. Events appear here as soon as organisers announce them.

Questions

Is the Japanese Garden at Clingendael free?

Yes, a visit is free, and so is the timeslot you must book in advance.

When does the Japanese Garden open in 2027?

In spring, at the end of April 2027, according to the municipality of The Hague. The exact dates and hours are not announced yet.

Do I have to reserve?

Yes. Since the autumn of 2026 you must book a free timeslot in advance; walking in without a booking is no longer how it works.

Is the Japanese Garden open in autumn?

In 2026 it was open from 10 to 25 October, daily from 10:00 to 16:00. The autumn 2027 dates are not announced yet.

Are dogs and pushchairs allowed?

Pushchairs and buggies are not allowed because the paths are narrow. Dogs are not allowed either, except assistance dogs.

Can I visit with a wheelchair?

Yes, through a separate entrance with an adapted route through part of the garden. There is no toilet at the garden; the one at the entrance of the estate is not wheelchair accessible.