Huis Ten Bosch
ハウステンボス
A huge theme park on Omura Bay in Sasebo, Nagasaki, recreating a Dutch town, canals and all, that changes from spring tulips to winter illuminations.
A town named after a Dutch palace
Huis Ten Bosch is a theme park that opened on 25 March 1992. It recreates the streets of a medieval Dutch town, with Europe as a whole as its theme. The grounds cover about 152 hectares.
"Huis Ten Bosch" means "house in the woods" in Dutch. The park takes its name from a building that recreates Huis ten Bosch Palace, a palace of the Dutch royal family.
After opening, the park went through a long period of financial trouble and went bankrupt in 2003. Its recovery began in 2010, when the travel company H.I.S. became involved in running it, and in 2022 it was bought by PAG, an investment firm based in Hong Kong.
Enjoying the seasons through flowers and lights
The park is also known for its seasonal flowers. Every year from early February to early April there is a tulip event, when the Flower Road near the entrance and the palace gardens burst into colour. After that come more flower events to suit the season: roses, hydrangeas and sunflowers.
At night, illuminations called the "Kingdom of Light" light up the whole town. There are also fireworks events each season.
Miffy and the attractions
There are attractions and meet-and-greet spots themed on Miffy, the character born in the Netherlands, and Miffy Wonder Square opened in June 2025. There is also the Sky Carousel, Japan's first three-storey merry-go-round, as well as ride attractions.
The park also has shows by a theatre company, and there are five places to stay, including Hotel Europe. If you want to take your time over the evening illuminations and enjoy the park in the morning, staying overnight is a good idea.
Getting there
It is about a 5-minute walk from JR Huis Ten Bosch Station. From Nagasaki Airport it takes about 50 minutes by high-speed boat or about 50 minutes by bus. From Sasebo Station it is about 20 minutes by train. By car, it is about 10 minutes from the Otto Interchange on the Nishi-Kyushu Expressway.
Ticket types, prices and each day's opening hours change, so check the official website, for example its "Today's Park Information" page.
Tips
- The park is very large, so on a day trip it helps to decide in advance which areas you want to see and which rides you want to try.
- If you want to see the illuminations, plan to stay in the park into the evening.
- You can book tickets and accommodation in advance on the official website.
- For the tulips, time your visit for the usual event period, early February to early April.
Sources
Updated 28 September 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so check the official site before you go.
