Japanese Emperor and Empress visit Netherlands, tour Het Oude Loo castle and attend soccer match

Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrived in the Netherlands on 13 June for an official state visit. They stayed at the royal guest house Het Oude Loo, where they walked the grounds and recalled their 2006 stay at the same castle, which they visited when Princess Aiko was four.

The couple met King Willem‑Alexander and Queen Maxima, who hosted them at the castle and later accompanied them to the capital, Amsterdam. On the evening of 14 June the royal pair watched a televised Japan‑Netherlands football match alongside the Dutch king and queen; the game ended in a 2‑2 draw. During the visit a rare selfie taken by King Willem‑Alexander showed the Emperor and king together, sparking widespread online comments.

The visit combined diplomatic engagements with cultural activities, highlighting the long‑standing ties between the two monarchies.