Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako have arrived in the Netherlands, the first leg of their two-week trip, which will also take them to Belgium.
A government plane carrying the couple landed at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol at around 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, local time.
They were greeted by aides of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima as an honor guard stood in formation.
They then headed to Het Oude Loo, a castle on a royal estate in the eastern Netherlands.
The Japanese Imperial family has long enjoyed close ties with the Dutch royal family.
The Emperor and Empress are due to stay at the castle until Tuesday. The following day, they are scheduled to attend a welcome ceremony in a square in front of the Royal Palace Amsterdam and lay a wreath at a war memorial.
They will also attend a state banquet hosted by the King and Queen later that day.
The Emperor and Empress are set to travel to Belgium next Saturday.