Visitors to Japan’s Huis Ten Bosch would be forgiven for thinking they had stepped straight into a portal to The Netherlands. Imagine a stunning sea of beautiful blooms; row upon row of Holland tulips, roses, and myriad other blossoms in captivating colors, set against windmills, European-inspired avenues, and edifices, an idyllic waterway with swans, dazzling fountains, and an array of storybook scenes straight out of a Dutch countryside — on a Japanese peninsula in Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture.
Named for one of the official residences of the Dutch Royal Family in The Hague, Netherlands, Huis Ten Bosch was built on what was once a Dutch trading outpost in the early 1600s, making the Japanese-Dutch connection of the property more than merely aesthetic.
Visitors to Japan’s Huis Ten Bosch would be forgiven for thinking they had stepped straight into a portal to The Netherlands.
Huis Ten Bosch opened its doors on March 15, 1992, and has been welcoming and delighting guests from across the globe for over three decades. Spread out over 152 hectares of land, measuring “the size of Monaco,” according to the park’s fact sheet, Huis Ten Bosch is touted as one of Japan’s largest theme parks. Fashioned after a 17th-century Dutch town, the park offers a fascinating foray into The Netherlands of old, right on Japanese shores.
Streets of cobblestone, myriad flowers, and a grand canal that flows through the park are just a few of many aspects that lend a Dutch ambiance to the place. Of course, the charm of the old meets the cutting-edge technology of the new, to provide an immersive, enthralling experience like no other.
The feel of a quaint Dutch town
Beyond its eye-catching design and architecture, Huis Ten Bosch boasts a variety of attractions and events for visitors of all ages.
Among its numerous exciting and enticing highlights are: the newly-opened Sky Carousel, Japan’s first three-story merry-go-round; fabulous fireworks displays held at regular schedules; seasonal as well as year-round light shows; a number of captivating water installations throughout the park; amusement park rides and activities for all ages; an array of features that transport guests to the tranquil Dutch countryside; and special events throughout the year, like the One-Milion Tulip Festival and the Easter of Flowers and Lights in the spring, a big Halloween event, and an extravagant light display in the wintertime. The park has also recently opened its Grand Opera Theater, which will showcase performances by the Huis Ten Bosch Opera Company and other acts.
The massive theme park took five years to build and includes four hotels, a spa, a wide roster of restaurants, and numerous amenities and facilities that make for a truly memorable, adventure-laden, and fun-filled visit.
A bounty of beautiful blooms
While the park offers year-round frolic and festivities for the whole family, the best seasons to visit are in the spring and summer, when the flowers are in full bloom and in time for the tulip festival.
This is when Huis Ten Bosch pulls out all the flowery stops, beginning with its One-Milion Tulip Festival, which boasts the greatest variety of tulips that blossom in Japan, followed by Asia’s greatest Rose Festival, during which the entire park is decked in a profusion of roses.
The park also recently launched its newest tradition, the Flower Festival, which showcases dazzling parades and breathtaking flower-themed shows throughout the property. For these reasons, and more, Huis Ten Bosch rightfully goes by the nickname “City of Flowers.”
Beyond its eye-catching design and architecture, Huis Ten Bosch boasts a variety of attractions and events for visitors of all ages.
A “Kingdom of Lights”
Huis Ten Bosch is not only known for its profusion of blooms but also for its dazzling light shows. Some shows are seasonal, but the main lightscapes are up, year-round. Come nightfall, the park transforms into a twinkling “Kingdom of Lights” with illuminations and effects to enjoy throughout the year.
The park also features the Ferris Wheel of Lights lit up by 70, 000 LEDs, offering an exquisite panoramic view of the entire property. Meanwhile, at the Palace area of Huis Ten Bosch, guests may stroll through a baroque garden and bask in the Jewel Illumination show, a magical synchronization of jewel-like lights and classical music.
At the Amsterdam Square Central Information, futuristic 3D mapping light effects project onto the structure, for everyone’s enjoyment. These are just a number of light shows and luminous features that provide a magical visual feast when the sun goes down.
Indeed, this massive theme park is like no other in Japan, offering its own distinctive brand of amusement and entertainment for the whole family, in a Holland-inspired setting. Moreover, it serves as a bridge between cultures, with enjoyment and beauty strewn along its path.
