Belgium is famous for its landscapes, its charming medieval buildings, its beautiful squares, its cultural wealth and its delicious cuisine. However, the Belgian capital has much more to offer, and among its most peculiar attractions is the Japanese Tower.
Of all the countries in the world, Japan is probably one of the best known and most popular. But this was not always the case, since for more than two centuries this fascinating nation was kept away from any type of outside interaction.
Few knew the secrets of Japan, and having the opportunity to see its architecture or interact with its people was a rarity. During this period, Japan kept abreast of the advances and changes that were occurring in America, Asia and Europe thanks to the Dutch sailors, who were the only ones who could enter the island country.
Fortunately, this time of isolation was slowly fading into the past. In the 18th century, Japan opened its borders to the rest of the nations, and when the 20th century arrived, much of the Japanese government wanted to interact more widely with the West and show part of its culture to the rest of the world.
The opportunity came in 1900, when the World’s Fair was held in Paris. The Japanese delegation brought a traditional tower to be presented at this festival, and give an example to European countries of what Japanese architecture was really like.
Leopold II, King of Belgium, went to the Universal Exhibition and was fascinated by the Japanese Tower, he decided to buy it and move it to the garden of the Belgian royal residence.
Although King Leopold II wanted to buy the tower as it was at the World’s Fair, he was only able to acquire part of it, and the rest had to be built in Belgium.
Once completed, the Japanese Tower was installed in the Laeken Gardens, which are part of the Royal Palace. To achieve a more appropriate environment for this construction, its surroundings were cleared, and it only has the company of trees and a small nearby lake.
Likewise, the Japanese Tower is part of the complex of the Museum of the Far East, which is made up of this tower and the Chinese Pavilion. In addition, there is a small sample of porcelain and Japanese art, but most of these items have been transferred to other cultural centers in the city.
For some years now, the entire Museum of the Far East has been closed to the public, offering guided tours very occasionally.
However, visiting the site and stopping for a moment to see these beautiful structures, even from outside the security fence, is a great experience. In the same way, the Japanese Tower and the Chinese Pavilion are located on the outskirts of Brussels, so if you were looking for an excuse to get away from the center and visit more remote areas, this is your chance.
Remember that the capital of Brussels is a diverse city, where there is always something new and different to discover, from old houses, through Gothic churches and triumphal arches, to a peculiar but charming Japanese Tower.
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