This autumn, the Japanese Garden at the Clingendael Estate will reopen its doors to visitors. From October 10 to 25, 2026, residents of The Hague and visitors from outside the city can enjoy one of the most beautiful and unique places in The Hague. New this year is that visitors must reserve a free time slot in advance. A visit to the garden remains free.
The Japanese Garden attracts thousands of visitors every year. Due to its growing popularity, long queues and peak times have regularly occurred in the garden in recent years. With a new reservation system, visitors are better distributed throughout the day. This ensures that a visit to the garden remains pleasant while simultaneously protecting the fragile nature and cultural heritage. Starting September 17, visitors can reserve a time slot via denhaag.nl/japansetuin . Admission to the garden remains free.
” The Japanese Garden is one of The Hague’s most beautiful green gems. We see that more and more people want to enjoy it, and that is wonderful. At the same time, we have the responsibility to pass on this unique place well to future generations. With the reservation system, we combine accessibility with careful management: visitors will have a more pleasant visit, and we protect the valuable greenery and heritage that The Hague is proud of,” says Alderwoman Isabelle Broeders (Public Space).
Protecting for the future
The Japanese Garden is a unique piece of heritage in The Hague. The garden, over 100 years old, is known for its special Japanese ornamental elements, rare trees and plants, and fragile mosses. Precisely because of this special and fragile nature, the garden is open for only a few weeks a year.
With the reservation system, the municipality is taking the next step to keep the garden future-proof. By better distributing visitors, the pressure on vulnerable parts of the garden decreases, and this special place is preserved for future generations.
Practical information
The Japanese Garden is open from October 10 to October 25, 2026.
Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 16:00.
Book a time slot in advance via denhaag.nl/japansetuin . Reservations can be made from September 17, 2026.
UPDATE: Unfortunately tickets are now fully booked.
Those wishing to visit the Japanese Garden are advised to reserve a time slot well in advance due to high demand. It is expected that many visitors will find their way to this special place on the Clingendael Estate again this autumn.
A new residential tower in The Hague’s rapidly developing Binckhorst district will provide 340 homes, including social housing, mid-market rentals and apartments for sale. The 104-metre-high building, named Skymark, is part of the ongoing transformation of the former industrial area into a new urban neighbourhood.
The next phase of the project was recently marked by a gathering of representatives from the Municipality of The Hague, housing association Haag Wonen, developer Amvest, construction company Boele & van Eesteren and pension fund SPW.
A Mix of Housing Options
Skymark will include a variety of homes designed for different income groups and housing needs.
The 340 apartments will be divided into:
66 social rental homes
104 mid-market rental homes
72 private-sector rental homes
98 owner-occupied apartments
In addition to housing, the ground floor will offer approximately 1,200 square metres of commercial space for shops and businesses.
The tower has been designed by architectural firm De Zwarte Hond. Its distinctive rounded corners are intended not only to give the building its appearance but also to reduce wind and noise nuisance.
Contributing to The Hague’s Housing Needs
The Hague is facing considerable pressure on its housing market, and the municipality aims to deliver 4,000 new homes annually.
Alderman Henk Harms highlighted the importance of developments such as Skymark in meeting that target.
“The Binckhorst is rapidly developing into a new neighbourhood of The Hague. Skymark will add another 340 homes, and they are urgently needed,” he said.
The project also reflects an ambition to create neighbourhoods where residents with different incomes can live alongside one another.
Mohamed Baba, Chair of the Executive Board of Haag Wonen, pointed to the nearly 90,000 active housing seekers in the Haaglanden region.
“Every home we add counts. With Skymark, we are adding 66 social rental homes in a wonderful location in the Binckhorst. Especially in a new part of the city, we believe affordable housing should be included from the beginning.”
He emphasised that a person’s income should not determine whether they have the opportunity to live in a newly developed neighbourhood.
From Industrial Area to Urban Neighbourhood
The Binckhorst has undergone significant changes in recent years, with former industrial sites gradually making way for residential developments, businesses and other facilities.
Skymark will contribute to this transformation by combining homes, employment opportunities and amenities in one building.
Construction began in December 2025, following preparations to clean up and prepare the former business site.
The project is being developed through cooperation between public and private organisations, including the municipality, Haag Wonen, Amvest, Boele & van Eesteren and SPW.
Completion Expected in 2030
According to construction company Boele & van Eesteren, work is progressing well, with sales of the first apartments planned for early 2028.
The tower is expected to be completed in 2030, when the first residents will be able to move into their new homes.
Once completed, Skymark will become another prominent addition to the Binckhorst skyline and contribute to The Hague’s efforts to address its housing shortage.
Source: Gemeente Den Haag
Translation to English/Editing: The Hague Online
Image Credit: Gemeente Den Haag / Skymark project partners
The Hague will welcome cybersecurity experts, researchers, businesses and government representatives from around the world during Cybersecurity Week, taking place from 5 to 9 October 2026. The programme brings together international conferences, ethical hacking events, workshops and networking opportunities, with a focus on strengthening digital security and cooperation.
As the International City of Peace and Justice, The Hague has also become an important centre for cybersecurity. The city is home to organisations including Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre, the NATO Communications and Information Agency and the Dutch National Cyber Security Centre. Throughout Cybersecurity Week, these organisations and other members of the city’s cybersecurity network will share knowledge and explore new approaches to protecting people, businesses and public services from digital threats.
A Week of Cybersecurity Events
The programme begins on Monday 5 October with the International Kick-Off Cybersecurity Week at the Security Delta (HSD) Campus.
One of the week’s highlights is Hâck The Hague, also taking place on 5 October. During this annual event, ethical hackers are invited to identify vulnerabilities in the municipality’s digital systems and those of participating partners. The aim is to discover weaknesses before cybercriminals can exploit them.
On 6 and 7 October, the ONE Conference at the World Forum will bring together cybersecurity professionals, policymakers and researchers to discuss developments in digital security, cybercrime and international cooperation.
Other activities include the ONE International Cyber Business Event on 6 October, the Cyber Roadshow in Segbroek on 7 October and ECSO Cyber Investor Days on 8 October. The programme also includes events focused on cybersecurity research, investment, talent development and innovation.
Protecting Community Organisations from Cybercrime
Ahead of Cybersecurity Week, the Municipality of The Hague has also announced a new initiative aimed at protecting smaller community organisations from digital threats.
Together with Protect.ngo, the municipality has launched the Cybersecurity Blueprint for Civil Society, a guide designed to help other cities improve cybersecurity among sports clubs, neighbourhood organisations, charities and volunteer groups.
These organisations increasingly depend on digital systems for their everyday activities but often lack dedicated IT departments or specialist cybersecurity knowledge.
A cyberattack can have serious consequences, including stolen personal information, inaccessible membership records, hacked email accounts or fraudulent messages sent in an organisation’s name.
The new guide builds on the experience of Digitaal Veilig Den Haag (Digitally Safe The Hague), a local initiative established in 2023. It brings together the municipality, businesses, educational institutions, cybersecurity volunteers and community organisations to help smaller organisations become more digitally resilient.
Rather than offering one fixed solution, the blueprint provides practical guidance that other cities can adapt to their own circumstances.
Alderman for Economic Affairs Richard de Mos emphasised that volunteers should be able to concentrate on supporting their communities rather than having to become cybersecurity specialists themselves.
Digital Security Is Everyone’s Concern
While many Cybersecurity Week events are aimed at professionals, the programme also highlights how digital security affects everyday life.
From protecting personal information and preventing online fraud to keeping essential services and community organisations safe, cybersecurity is increasingly relevant to residents and businesses of all sizes.
The Hague’s approach places particular emphasis on collaboration, bringing together government, industry, researchers and volunteers to share expertise and strengthen digital resilience.
Cybersecurity Week 2026 offers an opportunity to explore these developments and reinforces The Hague’s growing role as an international centre for digital security.
The workshop programme for the IamExpat Fair has officially been announced! Book your spots today before it’s too late.
The IamExpat Fair The Hague on November 7, 2026, will host a rich programme of educational workshops and presentations. Topics cover a wide range of interests, including homebuying, language learning, career development, tax filing, visa information, health and wellness, and more.
If you’re coming to the IamExpat Fair solo, why not bring a friend? Invite your friends to register for the IamExpat Fair, or meet fellow internationals at our workshops.
In a recent article, GMW lawyer Seliz Demirci explores a Dutch court case involving an employee who repeatedly recorded that he was working in the office when the evidence indicated otherwise.
The case highlights the importance of honest workplace registration, particularly when attendance records also determine travel expense reimbursements. It also shows why employers need to investigate carefully and give employees an opportunity to explain before proceeding with dismissal.
For international professionals navigating hybrid working in the Netherlands, it is a useful reminder to understand your employer’s policies and keep your records accurate.
