A successful protocol for in vitro asymbiotic seed germination of Gastrochilus japonicus (Makino) Schltr. was established. Surface disinfected seeds were cultured on Hyponex, Knudson C, half- and full-strength Murashige and Skoog basal nutrients without vitamins (MSB), and Vacin and Went media containing 0.5 g l^-l AC, 10 g l^-l banana pulp, 2 g l^-l peptone, 30 g l^-l sucrose, and 8 g l^-l plant agar. Among the five nutrient media studied, half-strength MSB medium was found to be the best for seed germination of G. japonicus. The addition of coconut water (CW) to the half-strength MSB medium enhanced the frequency of seed germination. The highest percentage of seed germination (95.4%) was attained on half-strength MSB medium supplemented with 50 ml l^-1 CW. Protocorms were subcultured on the half-strength MSB medium containing 50 ml l^-1 CW, 0.5 g l^-l AC, 10 g l^-l banana pulp and 2 g l^-l peptone with different concentrations of thidiazuron (TDZ). The highest frequency of protocorm induction (87.3%) with a mean of 7.3 secondary protocorms was obtained on the culture medium supplemented with 2 µM TDZ. The best protocorm conversion (92.1%) was observed on Hyponex medium containing 0.5 g l^-l AC, 10 g l^-l banana pulp, 2 g l^-l peptone, 20 g l^-l potato homogenate, and 1 µM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Seedlings were acclimatized in the greenhouse with an 86% survival rate.