As warmer weather approaches, we’re eagerly looking forward to seeing spring flowers blooming at some of Japan’s most scenic parks and gardens. Of course, you shouldn't miss the cherry blossom in Tokyo, but it’s also worth making a weekend trip down south to Nagasaki for the spectacular tulip festival at Huis Ten Bosch theme park.
From February 25 to April 9, you’ll get to see this Holland-inspired attraction adorned with one million tulips of every colour. The fields at Flower Road are especially breathtaking, as the flowers are neatly arranged in yellow, pink, red, white and purple stripes leading up to the windmills.
Huis Ten Bosch is also celebrating Easter this year, with huge colourful Easter eggs and flower trees dotted around the park, plus an afternoon parade featuring dancers dressed as the Easter rabbit. Restaurants are serving exclusive meals and snacks with rabbit and Easter egg motifs to celebrate the holiday, too.
We highly recommend visiting around mid-March to early April to catch the special pastel pink Huis Ten Bosch tulips, which are named after the theme park. These rare blooms have frill-like edges on the petals and can only be seen at Huis Ten Bosch as they are cultivated here exclusively.
The garden in front of Palace Huis Ten Bosch is also adorned with an array of tulips. The site is a replica of Keukenhof park in the Netherlands.
You can still enjoy the flowers after sunset with the park lit up in beautiful illuminations. Make sure to visit Flower Road to see its artificial tulips light up and move in sync with music.
Don’t miss the Aurora Garden of Light, a 60 metre-wide digital waterfall that spreads across the entire garden, covering the ground in pink cherry blossom-coloured lights.
Huis Ten Bosch is also celebrating spring with jaw-dropping fireworks at 8.30pm on March 18, 25 and April 1. About 2,000 shells of fireworks will be shot into the sky, accompanied by music and spectacular laser displays. Separate tickets (from ¥1,000) can be purchased in advance via the website if you want the best seats to view the fireworks. However, if you don't mind standing, you can catch the show from other areas in the park without a separate ticket.
For more information about the tulip festival, visit the Huis Ten Bosch website.
This article was published on March 1 2022 and updated on February 8 2023.
More from Time Out Tokyo
New parades and events are coming to Tokyo Disneyland for its 40th anniversary
Everything we know about the new Harry Potter attraction opening in Tokyo in summer 2023
Some of Meguro River's 2,200 cherry blossom trees are getting replanted
6 new Japanese films and series coming to Netflix in February 2023
Overseas tourists can get this exclusive Sanrio Pasmo transport card
Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan.