On the evening of June 18, Japanese Emperor Naruhito visited the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam with Dutch Queen Maxima.

At the national museum, he saw Rembrandt’s masterpiece "The Night Watch," which is currently undergoing major restoration.

He listened to explanations about the process of removing aged varnish from the surface of the 17th century painting.

Earlier in the day, the emperor visited the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague to view Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring," considered one of the treasures of Dutch artwork.

At a luncheon at the museum, he delivered remarks expressing hope for lasting friendship between Japan and the Netherlands.

Emperor Naruhito then went to Leiden University, the alma mater of Dutch King Willem-Alexander, together with the monarch.

They stopped by the Sweat Room where it is a tradition for graduating students to write their names on the wall.

S/ King Willem-Alexander / This is my cousin, and this is me. I didn't sign it; I only put my name on there. And this is my brother Constantijn.

The emperor looked at the names and signatures on the wall, including that of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

He also spoke with students at the university and asked a student researching Japanese painting what sparked their interest in art.