Huis Ten Bosch, Theme park in Sasebo, Japan
Huis Ten Bosch is an amusement park in Sasebo that recreates Dutch towns across a large site, complete with brick townhouses, wooden bridges, and a network of canals running through open squares. The replicas show gabled roofs, cobbled walkways, and waterways lined with flowerbeds that change with the season.
The park opened in 1992 to honor centuries of Dutch trade ties with Japan, which began through the island of Hirado in the early 1600s. Financial difficulties led to new ownership by the travel company HIS in 2010, which brought in technology experiments and robot staff.
Many Japanese visitors treat the park as a weekend escape to experience something that feels European without leaving the country. Couples often walk along the canals, and children explore the windmills and gardens, making the space popular with local families year-round.
Direct trains from Fukuoka arrive at a dedicated station next to the park entrance, or fast boats connect from Nagasaki Airport. The site is large enough to fill a full day, so comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing help visitors explore all areas without rushing.
A hotel within the grounds uses robots at the reception desk and in corridors, greeting guests and helping with luggage. This setup earned a Guinness record as the first robot-staffed hotel, drawing visitors curious about automated hospitality.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
