Not far from the center of Amsterdam is a Japanese-style paradise, Kersenbloemse Park. A small corner of the Amsterdam Bos where you can find hundreds of beautiful cherry blossom trees in early spring. If you are traveling to Amsterdam during this period, I suggest a visit. In fact, between the end of March and the beginning of April, the delicate pink and white flowers bloom every year that fascinate all visitors.
There are 400 cherry trees, of the yoshino type (prunis yedoensi), donated by the non-profit association Japanse Women's Club to celebrate 400 years of diplomatic relations between the Netherlands and Japan. This is a long relationship that began in April 9, 1600 when the Dutch ship "Liefde" reached the island of Oita on the island of Kyushu. Each tree has a nameplate with a typically female name, 200 in Dutch and 200 in Japanese. Below you can find the complete list of names:
In 2012, a commemorative plaque was placed in the park in honor of the victims of the tsunami of 11 March 2011, after the Sendai earthquake. Its location is not accidental: Kersenbloemse Park represents an important meeting place for the Japanese community in Amsterdam and its surroundings. In fact, every year the community celebrates Hanami Matsuri (the Cherry Blossom Festival) here. Families and friends gather together for a picnic under the blossoming trees to celebrate spring; the cherry tree - sakura - symbolizes rebirth, the new beginning, but at the same time also transience.
This spring 2022 was particularly beautiful with magnificent sunny days, little wind and little rainfall, allowing the flowering to stay longer. The floral splendor is particularly striking this year. In this post we give you some tips to better organize your experience.
Tips for visiting the cherry tree park:
1) Check the weather forecast
2) Plan your visit early in the morning.
If possible plan to go there as soon as possible so that you meet fewer people. It may be up early but it's worth it. We went at 8 in the morning and there were already other visitors. Choose a quiet time, avoiding the weekend crowds.
3) Dress in layers.
Especially if you go early in the morning it could be a bit chilly. Last time my feet were freezing. Remember warm socks.
5) Take your time.
The flowering of these trees is a spectacular event. Relax and enjoy the moment with all the time you need. Take lots of photos to have an indelible memory.
Parking: At Burgemeester Colijnweg 200 there are 4 temporary parking spaces accessible to holders of the special parking card accessible to visitors with disabilities. The car parks are located about 15-20 minutes walk from the park and you can find them by searching Amsterdam Bos with Google Maps and then following the yellow signs with a black P. You cannot park inside the park.
Direction: there is an entrance and an exit that guide the flow of visitors.
Map: you can find the park map by clicking this link.
Toilets: There are no toilets in Blossom Park but you can but in the rest of the Amsterdam Bos there are. The toilets are open from March 1st to November 1st (but in the months of March, April, September, and October only on weekends). Most of the facilities have toilets for visitors with disabilities. Pay attention to the opening hours of the different activities Here is the list of accessible facilities:
On 5 and 6 April 2022 the municipality of Amstelveen will work on the park which will therefore be inaccessible to visits.