Belgium
Belgium is a surprisingly compact and easy-to-travel country, packed with historic architecture, beautiful cityscapes, and delicious cuisine such as chocolate and waffles.
Beer is an essential part of Belgian culture. Restaurants and cafés serving a wide variety of beers can be found everywhere, and beer tasting sets are readily available throughout the country.
Belgium is also proud of its famous frites (French fries). The preparation method is taken very seriously, resulting in fries that are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Brussels even has a museum dedicated to fries.
Basic Information
- Population: Approximately 11.83 million
- Area: About one-twelfth the size of Japan
- Average Monthly Temperature: Approximately -1°C to 22°C
- Currency: Euro (€)
Payments
- Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere.
- Even many public restroom fees can be paid by credit card.
Tipping
- Generally not required, except for some public restrooms.
Major Tourist Attractions
Brussels
Often referred to as the “Capital of Europe.”
- Headquarters of the European Union (EU)
- Headquarters of NATO
- Grand Place
- Manneken Pis
- Mont des Arts
Bruges
- Markt Square
- Historic City Center
- Canal Cruises
Antwerp
- Cathedral of Our Lady
- Rubens House
Itinerary
3 Nights / 5 Days (3 Nights in Brussels) – Independent Travel
Day 1
Tokyo → Brussels
Arrive in Brussels and take an evening stroll around the Grand Place.
Day 2
Brussels City Sightseeing
Visit:
- Musical Instruments Museum
- Mont des Arts
- Royal Palace of Brussels
- Cantillon Brewery
Day 3
Brussels → Bruges
Explore the city center, enjoy a canal cruise, visit a brewery, and return to Brussels in the evening.
Day 4
Visit the EU Headquarters area and other attractions befo
＜Brussels＞
Brussels
Train from Brussels Airport (First Class)
The first-class fare is only about ¥100–200 more expensive than economy class.
Grand Place
mussels
Beer Tasting Set
Approximately ¥2,500 for six different beers.
Grand Place as seen from the Hill of Arts
Royal palace
Cantillon Brewery (Click the image above to go to the website)
Inside the brewery
Train to Bruges (first class)
Center of Bruges
Streetscape of Bruges
Canal cruise
Within the factory grounds
The city of Bruges as seen from the brewery.
Diagram illustrating the pipeline that transports beer from the factory (city center) to the beer distribution point (outside the city).
Bruges’ oldest brewery
(Click the image above to go to the website)
Airline used: ANA (NH) Economy Class
Narita → Brussels: Approximately 14 hours (2 meals served)
Brussels → Narita: Approximately 13 hours 30 minutes (2 meals served)
Outbound Flight Route (Northern Route)
(Created by ChatGPT. This is an illustrative map and is not an official ANA route map.)
The outbound and return flights together form an almost round-the-world journey.
In-flight meal (1st meal): Special meal. This upgraded meal can only be ordered for an additional 2500 yen on economy and premium economy flights departing from Japan. Delicious!
In-flight meal (2nd meal)
Return Flight Route (Southern Route)
(Created by ChatGPT. This is an illustrative map and is not an official ANA route map.)
In-flight meal (first meal) – Special meals cannot be ordered on the return flight.
In-flight meal (2nd meal)
<Lounge used with SFC>
Narita Airport ANA Lounge
Entrance
Inside (it was practically empty on this day)
Brussels International Airport
Inside (it was empty)
Beer server
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