Japanse Tuin, Japanese garden in Ostend, Belgium
The Japanese Garden is a space of about 2,500 square meters (27,000 square feet) with ponds, waterfalls, bridges, and stone pagodas arranged in the traditional kaiyū-shiki-teien style. The different areas are connected through carefully placed plants, pathways, and water features that form a balanced whole.
The garden was designed by Japanese architect Takashi Sawano and opened in 2001 when Prince Philippe of Belgium inaugurated it. This creation marked the establishment of a cultural link between Japan and Belgium on the Ostend coast.
The name Shin Kai Tei translates to Deep Sea Garden, referencing the seaside location that influences its design with water and stone arrangements. Visitors experience how Japanese design principles shape every element throughout the space.
The garden is mainly open on weekends from Easter through the autumn holidays, with hours from 10 AM to 6 PM, though it opens daily during Belgian school breaks. It helps to check current opening times before visiting, since the schedule varies by season.
The garden features several traditional bridges called yatsuhashi and a pond with koi carp swimming among water plants. These living elements give the garden a constantly changing quality that shifts with the seasons and time of day.
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