When you think of tourism in the Netherlands, chances are that Amstelveen won’t secure a place in your bucket-list. A Wetland by the river Amstel? “Boring” you’d think. Watch or Take part in Cultural activities? “Not my cup of tea” you’d say. But then, like the cool wind on a hot summer day, you get blown away in a sea of Pink petals. “Cherry Blossom” whispered the passing wind “They fall in the dreams of Sleeping Beauty“. You watched. Bunch of pink flowers on bare trunks, so soft and delicate that you felt like a fairytale in motion. They bloomed and spread the symbol of renewal on everything they touch. You kept on watching. Then you fell in love.
Like the nature unfolding her treasure at the first rays of Sunrise, Cherry blossom trees bloom to welcome the Spring. It’s when the Earth, like a child starts coloring the canvas with her imagination. It’s that very time when Nature says “Let’s Party!”
Kersenbloesempark (Translated to Cherry Blossom Park), Amstelveen at Amsterdamse Bos (Translated to The Woods of Amsterdam) is a place where you can imagine yourself in a magical piece of Japan. The 400 Sakura (Japanese word for Cherry Blossom) trees standing at the Kersenbloesempark were a gift from the Japan’s Women’s Club (JWC) in 2000. It was initially planted in celebration of 400 years of cultural alliance between Japan and the Netherlands. Today, Amstelveen is home to a community of around 2000 Japanese expats, probably the largest Japanese community in Europe.
I believe you are already dying to jump into practical information like how to reach, when to visit, how much is the entrance and what to expect inside. So, without further ado, let’s dive right into it. Please continue reading till the end to know more significance about Cherry Blossoms.
Best Time to Visit
While you would wish the park stayed that colorful throughout the year, the blooming cherry season is about two weeks a year. Tragically short but for a reason. While the exact time when they will be in bloom is not guaranteed. Sufficient mild temperature is necessary for a perfect bloom. Roughly you can plan a visit from last week of March till the mid of April. If you are an international traveler (Probably coming from outside Europe), you can plan to visit in the first week of April.
Cherry Blossom Festival
In Japan, every year in April, it is customary to have picnic under beautifully blooming Cherry trees and it is called Hanami (Translated to Cherry Blossom Viewing) Matsuri (Translated to Festival). At the Kersenbloesempark, the Dutch have also acquired a similar tradition (At least before COVID-19 hit the world). The Cherry Blossom Festival in Amstelveen is more of a friend/family gathering event. Residents here just plan their very own picnic festival somewhere in April and bring along friends and family to spend a wonderful day under the sea of pink.
If you are just a tourist in the Netherlands and you think of visiting Cherry Blossom Park, you don’t have to look for any specific dates for any festival as such because this festival is nothing but a gathering of local residents. Kersenbloesempark (Let’s call it Bloesem Park) is a park open to public throughout the year (No matter whether there is any Cherry blossom or not) and there is absolutely no ticket or pre-reservation or entrance fee. You are free to come here with your stroller, wheelchair, own food, drink and any electronic gadget (Yes Drone too).
If coming by public transport, You need to start your journey from Amstelveen Bus station. It’s a 2KM walk in pretty flat terrain. Although there is on physical gate/boundary, the authorities maintain a separate entrance and exit way for the park. To enter, you actually need to cross the park and then turn left (Don’t worry! there is clear indication regarding direction of Bloesem Park). While the actual park is quite big, if you are interested only in Cherry Blossom, it’s a pretty small area where all 400 cherry blossoms are densely packed in a circular fashion.
Well, you need to be there to feel that the heaven is real. I visited it on April-6, the ground is already covered with fallen petals but still, the display is magnanimous. On my day, the weather was pretty overcast but that made the bloom more vibrant. Few trees are actually quite low so that it gives a nice backdrop for portrait photography. During my stay of around 2 hours, I saw two separate models with professional photographer shooting their portfolio.
The park is a nice picnic spot. It’s perfectly stroller friendly. Kids were having fun, crawling or running here and there. You can sit anywhere on the grass under the trees for your snacks (Just make sure not to litter). If these are wet (Netherlands is famous for rain), there are enough concrete seating platform where you still can sit and enjoy the park in its full bloom. It never felt super crowded (For Corona, the authorities were extra cautious and made sure only a limited number of people are inside at any given moment). Once you are soaked enough, just cross the cherry blossom trees and you would find a small bridge. That’s your way of exit. Make sure to look back once from the bridge.
As the Exit is towards the Bus station, journey back to Amstelveen is about 100m less walking. Depending on your agenda, you can continue exploring Amstelveen or go elsewhere. Amstelveen Bus station has direct bus connection with Schiphol airport, Haarlem and Amsterdam South/Zuid. If you are planning to visit the heart of Amsterdam, you need to come to Amsterdam Zuid and change towards Amsterdam Central.
How To Reach
The exact location on Google Map is Doorweg 32, 1182 JL Amstelveen. It’s a 2KM walk from Amstelveen Bus station. Amstelveen has bus connection with many major cities of Holland. You can use Google Map transit option or 9292 app to plan your journey. As I stayed in Beverwijk, I traveled via Haarlem. From Haarlem, bus #356 goes straight to Amstelveen Bus station. Remember there is also another Bus #300 which reaches Amstelveen but it takes almost twice the time and fare. Bus #300 is only useful if you need to get up or get down at the Schiphol Airport.
If you are staying somewhere near Amsterdam, do note Amsterdam Central does not have any direct connection to Amstelveen bus station. You need to come to Amsterdam Zuid to come to Amstelveen. Several buses like #274 and #348 come directly to Amstelveen from Amsterdam Zuid.
If you coming by car, there is a car parking very nearby which google highlights as Kersenbloesempark parking. When you have arrived at Doorweg 32, just follow the signboard towards Bloesem Park. You may get a little confused regarding Entry and Exit route. But remember, the Entrance is after the park ends. You need to turn left then come downhill a little. The signboard will say that the Park is at the right but for Cherry Blossom, you need to continue walking straight and then it’s an impossible to miss sight on your left.
Points Worth Sharing
While you don’t need much of a planning to visit Cherry Blossom Park in Amstelveen, make sure that if you are in the season, don’t get lost in the tulipmania. I know many people who liked Cherry Blossom Park more than the famous Keukenhof. As I insist you to pay a visit here, below are some quick and useful tips for you
- There is no entry fee to the park. There is no separate charge for using camera/ film-making/ flying drone. You can bring your own food/drink.
- You would find many flowers pretty much in your range to pluck. There is no rule stating that you can’t pluck flowers but I assume you will your sense and decide the better of it.
- Cherry Blossoms (At least in Netherlands) look more white than pink. If you take a close look at a small area, petals look pinkish. But when you look at a broader horizon, it looks completely white to me.
- If you can reach the place before 9AM, chances are that you would go straight without standing in any queue. But if you are late, expect to stand at least an hour in the queue. I am not sure if this is same every year or it’s a special precaution for crowd management during Corona but when we left the Park, it felt like people would simply be waiting in the queue for about two hours before they can enter the park.
- While you come back to the station from the Park, halfway you would find a road-side coffee shop selling muffin and coffee. It’s not of high quality but if you need to warm up a little bit, that’s your only chance.
- I did not find any washroom near the park. Maybe there is but it’s pretty hard to locate. The nearest one I found was in the Bus station (paid). So, plan accordingly.
- Warm up! It’s just the beginning of Spring and wind is still Chilly. While photo-shooting with attractive dress in the bed of flowers sound arousing, make sure to have your scarf, gloves, beanie and layers handy.
- If you expect to buy some souvenir regarding cherry blossom, then you will be disappointed. There is absolutely nothing.
- Although the region is called Amsterdam Forest (Amsterdamse Bos), it is NOT at Amsterdam central. If you ever read of Amsterdam cherry blossom festival, understand that they are talking about Bloesem park in Amstelveen, not Amsterdam.
You don’t need a whole day to visit here. To visit the park, I think 2 hours is good enough (Of course the more, the better). Try to come early and later in the afternoon, you can reach Haarlem and explore the beautiful capital of North Holland or proceed towards The Hague.
Exploring Neighbourhood
The Amsterdamse Bos region itself is quite soothing and very close to the nature. If you have some time, just forget Google Map and explore the nearby region in your own pace. If you are coming straight back to the Bus station, I would advice you to maintain a slow pace, at least for the first 1KM from the exit of the park. After the park area, you’d reach the Amstelveen township with lots of restaurants. Just as you cross it, you’d reach a small waterside community. On a calm day (Like the one I had), the reflection of the small peaceful vintage Dutch houses on the wetland feel surreal. Just make sure to walk via the Ouderkerkerlaan instead of Bovenkerkerkade.
Some say that during World War II, Japanese pilots painted warplanes with the flower imagery before embarking on suicide missions to “Die like beautiful falling cherry petals for the Emperor”. Some say they represent the beginning of new dream and optimism. It’s the time when students start their first day of school, it’s when the future is bursting with possibilities. Let me take this opportunity to ask you what’s your thought on Cherry Blossom is? I would be obliged if you leave me a note in the comment box. Questions or Suggestions? Feel free to use the comment box and I will respond as soon as possible. Till next time, doei doei