pinterest pin Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival) in the Netherlands

Spring in the Netherlands

Spring is undoubtedly the most fascinating season in the Netherlands and therefore, the best time for tourists to visit this beautiful country. After dull, grey, and cold winter months, as the sun starts peeping through the clouds, the sky turns blue and the days get longer and warmer, you know spring is in the air. And during these spring months of mid-March to mid-May, being the largest exporter of flowers globally, the whole country transforms into a vast ocean of flowers. It starts with cherry blossoms, crocuses, daffodils, and hyacinths between mid-March and mid-April, followed by the famous tulips between mid-April and mid-May. In this article, I will tell you about Sakura Matsuri, the Cherry Blossom Festival, which marks the advent of spring in Holland. So let’s begin!

And, if you want to know where to find the best flower fields in the Netherlands, please read our article De Mooiste Bloemenroutes van Nederland | 4 Best Road Trip Flower Routes around Tulip, Daffodil, and Hyacinth Bulb Fields in the Netherlands, or if you want to know where to find the best lavender fields in the Netherlands, please read our article Best Places to Find Lavenders in the Netherlands | Best Lavender Fields in the Netherlands, or if you want to know the best place to see heather bloom in the Netherlands, please read our article The Purple Hills of Posbank | The Heather Fields of Veluwezoom National Park, Hoge Veluwe, Gelderland | The Best Place to See Heather Bloom in the Netherlands.

What is Sakura Matsuri?

Literally meaning 'Flower Viewing,' the Hanami Festival is a Japanese tradition of celebrating the advent of spring. Flowers and nature, in general, have a symbolic meaning in Japan. To the Japanese, the cherry blossom represents a new beginning and hence the festival of Hanami Matsuri, most often referring to Sakura Matsuri ('Cherry Blossom Viewing') is a means of appreciating the transience of life.

What is the Historical Significance of Sakura Matsuri?

The concept of Hanami is deep-rooted in the Japanese culture dating back to the Nara Period (710-794). The Japanese believed that deities like the Mountain God and God of Rice Fields were enshrined in the Sakura trees. Therefore, the farmers prayed to the Sakura trees every spring for a better harvest. With time, the legends were left behind, and celebrating the serenity of the Sakura trees and the transience of life became the central theme.

How is Sakura Matsuri celebrated?

Traditionally, Sakura Matsuri is celebrated by picnicking with various foods and drinks underneath the pink-white canopy of cherry blossom trees with friends and family. Yozakura, literally meaning 'Night Sakura,' are evening celebrations that include paper lanterns hung among the trees, enhancing the already enchanting ambiance.

Kersenbloesempark (Cherry Blossom Park), Amstelveen

The best place to see cherry blossoms and celebrate Sakura Matsuri in the Netherlands is the Kersenbloesempark or The Cherry Blossom Park in Amstelveen, approximately 20 km south of Amsterdam. It is a part of the Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest) that is canopied by a wide pink-white umbrella between mid-March and mid-April.

spring cherry blossom flower park Kersenbloesempark Bloesempark in amsterdam amstelveen shot during sunset golden hour

History of the Kersenbloesempark

Thanks to many international companies, Amstelveen is home to the largest Japanese diaspora in the Netherlands and one of the largest in Europe. In 2000, the Japan Women's Club (JWC) donated 400 cherry trees to Amstelveen. Each of these 400 trees was given a name - 200 were given a Japanese woman name and the remaining 200 were given a Dutch woman name to strengthen relationships with the Japanese community. Every year, the Cherry Blossom Festival is organized by the municipality of Amstelveen in collaboration with the JWC (Japanese Women Club), the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, the Japanese Embassy, and the Japan-Netherlands Society annually in March or April in gratitude for the gift of cherry trees.

The Beautiful Cherry Blossoms of Kersenbloesempark

portrait lady walking during spring in cherry blossom flower park Kersenbloesempark Bloesempark in amsterdam amstelveen shot during sunset golden hour

portrait boy standing during spring in cherry blossom flower park Kersenbloesempark Bloesempark in amsterdam amstelveen shot during sunset golden hour

Visiting the Kersenbloesempark

If you plan to come by car, you need to park at the address below, also close to the Amstelveen Raadhuis (Municipality), about 10 minutes walk from the park. If you are taking public transport, the easiest way to arrive here is to take bus 174 from Amstelveen bus station (towards Amstelveen KLM Hoofdkantoor) to the Amstelveen Raadhuis (Municipality) bus stop and walk around 10 minutes (850 m) to the park. Please find the location details below.

Kersenbloesempark Address: Doorweg 32, 1182 DB Amstelveen

Kersenbloesempark GPS Coordinates: 52.3040° N, 4.8355° E

Kersenbloesempark Parking GPS Coordinates : 52.3032° N, 4.8443° E

Amstelveen Raadhuis Bus Stop GPS Coordinates: 52.302265 ° N, 4.844883 ° E

Map courtesy of Wanderlog, an itinerary planner on iOS and Android

Where else can you find Cherry Blossoms in the Netherlands?

This map was made with Wanderlog, a travel planner on iOS and Android

Apart from the Kersenbloesempark in Amstelveen, there are a few other places where you can find cherry blossoms in the Netherlands. I’ve listed them below for your kind reference -

Den Haag - Bankastraat, Prins Hendrikplein
Rotterdam - Statensingel in Blijdorp or the park next to the Euromast Tower
Utrecht - Valkstraat park
Limburg region - Around Eijsden Castle
Leiden - Volkenkunde Museum (National Museum of Ethnology)

spring cherry blossom flower with painting artwork at volkenkunde museum national ethnography at leiden during sunset golden hour

Epilogue

So that was how to celebrate Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival) at Kersenbloesempark (Cherry Blossom Park) in Amstelveen, the Netherlands. Please let us know in the comments below if you enjoyed reading this article.

And, if you want to know where to find the best flower fields in the Netherlands, please read our article De Mooiste Bloemenroutes van Nederland | 4 Best Road Trip Flower Routes around Tulip, Daffodil, and Hyacinth Bulb Fields in the Netherlands, or if you want to know where to find the best lavender fields in the Netherlands, please read our article Best Places to Find Lavenders in the Netherlands | Best Lavender Fields in the Netherlands, or if you want to know the best place to see heather bloom in the Netherlands, please read our article The Purple Hills of Posbank | The Heather Fields of Veluwezoom National Park, Hoge Veluwe, Gelderland | The Best Place to See Heather Bloom in the Netherlands. Until then, merry traveling and happy shooting!