The Japanese Garden at Clingendael is the oldest of its kind in the Netherlands.
Lady Daisy, who designed the Japanese Garden, frequently traveled to Japan to source authentic ornaments and flora.
The estate was once part of a larger property dating back to the 16th century.
The Japanese Garden is classified as a national monument due to its historical and cultural significance.
Due to the fragility of the moss and delicate plants, the Japanese Garden is only accessible during a limited window each year.
The estate serves as the training ground for Dutch diplomats through the Clingendael Institute.
The property is managed by the Municipality of The Hague as a public park.
During World War II, the estate was used by the German occupation forces, resulting in the construction of bunkers still present on the site.
Landgoed Clingendael is a historic estate in The Hague characterized by a highly preserved 17th-century manor house and an expansive, meticulously maintained landscape park. Its most prominent feature is the Japanese Garden, created in the early 20th century by Marguerite van Brienen, also known as Lady Daisy. This garden contains original stone lanterns, water basins, and bridges imported directly from Japan. The wider estate spans 47 hectares and features a mix of formal gardens, woodland, and open meadows. The manor itself is currently used as the Clingendael Institute, an independent think tank and academy for international relations. Access to the estate is free, though the Japanese Garden remains the only section with strict seasonal operating restrictions.
The red wooden bridge within the Japanese Garden provides the most iconic vantage point.
Bring comfortable walking shoes as the estate features unpaved paths and uneven terrain.
Check the official city municipal website before visiting to ensure the Japanese Garden is open during your specific dates.
Visit the less crowded woodland areas of the estate for a quieter experience away from the central garden paths.
Attempting to visit the Japanese Garden during the winter or autumn months when it is firmly locked to protect the vegetation.
The Japanese Garden is open only for limited weeks during the spring and early autumn seasons; the rest of the park is open year-round.
Stay on marked paths in the Japanese Garden to protect sensitive moss and plants; dogs must be kept on a leash in most areas.
