Hasselt and the Japanese Garden

Hasselt is the capital of Limburg province in Belgium's Flemish Region, about 85 km east of Brussels. SNCB trains from Brussels-Central take around one hour and 15 minutes, running via Leuven, and the train is the recommended mode because the centre is compact and walkable. From Hasselt railway station on Monseigneur Broekxplein, the historic centre is about a 10-minute walk. The city is known for its genever tradition, and the National Jenever Museum, housed in a former distillery on Witte Nonnenstraat, shows the history of the juniper spirit and offers a tasting. The Fashion Museum on Gasthuisstraat presents clothing and accessories through changing exhibitions, and the shopping streets around Hoogstraat and Demerstraat give the city a retail reputation. The Japanese Garden, at Gouverneur Verwilghensingel, is the largest of its kind in Europe, covering several hectares, with ponds, a tea house and carefully laid paths; it is open seasonally, normally from spring to autumn. The Groenplein and the Stadsmus museum add historic context. A day can begin with the Jenever Museum or Fashion Museum in the morning, then lunch in the Sint-Quintinusplein area. The afternoon suits the Japanese Garden, which takes about an hour to walk through, followed by shopping or a drink in the centre. Hasselt is also a gateway to the nearby Bokrijk open-air museum and to Genk, both connected by De Lijn buses and trains. The best season is April to October, because the garden is open and the weather suits walking, though the city is attractive year-round. Hasselt is also known for its Christmas lighting, in winter. Return tickets from Brussels cost about €12 to €16 each way, so the trip is affordable, and evening trains allow a relaxed dinner before returning.