A Day at Huis Ten Bosch: A Nagasaki Trip Full of Sasebo Gourmet

Huis Ten Bosch at night: illuminated Ferris wheel over the canal, glowing lanterns and a lit carousel in Sasebo, Nagasaki Food & Drink

Huis Ten Bosch in Sasebo, Nagasaki is a little slice of the Netherlands tucked away in Kyushu — canals, brick townhouses, flower-lined streets, and after dark, one of the biggest illuminations in Japan.

We flew into Fukuoka and made the drive over for a full day there. In this article, I’ll walk you through our route — authentic Nagasaki champon in Sasebo, the attractions inside the park, Sasebo’s famous lemon steak for dinner, the night illuminations, and a stay at Hotel Okura JR Huis Ten Bosch.

From Fukuoka Airport to Sasebo by Rental Car

Our Kyushu trip started at Fukuoka Airport. We picked up a rental car here and set off for our first destination — Sasebo in Nagasaki Prefecture.

Traveling by rental car lets you move at your own pace, which is always so relaxing and fun! Watching the scenery roll by from the car window, our excitement for the trip kept building.

First, a Bite to Eat! Authentic “Nagasaki Champon” at Koran, Sasebo Station

The first place we headed to after arriving in Sasebo was Nagasaki Champon Koran, located at Sasebo Station. When it comes to travel, local gourmet food is always the highlight, isn’t it?

The piping-hot champon, topped with plenty of vegetables and seafood, had that authentic flavor you can only find at the source. It really hit the spot after our long drive.

The entrance to JR Sasebo Station in Nagasaki, with its arched glass roof
A bowl of authentic Nagasaki champon with a cold beer at Koran near Sasebo Station

The Main Event! Off to the Land of Flowers and Light, “Huis Ten Bosch”

With our stomachs full, it was finally time for the day’s main event — Huis Ten Bosch.

During the day, we enjoyed shooting games and hands-on attractions. There was so much that even adults could get completely absorbed in, and the time just flew by.

Trying the shooting game attraction inside a dark arcade at Huis Ten Bosch
Taking aim with a rifle-style controller at the Huis Ten Bosch shooting attraction
Purple-lit corridor with laser beams at the entrance to a Huis Ten Bosch attraction
Standing before a glowing digital art wall as the next show counts down at Huis Ten Bosch
Projection-mapped floor glowing blue and pink inside the digital art attraction

Sasebo’s Local Specialty, “Lemon Steak”

For our meal inside the park, we had Sasebo’s famous lemon steak. The refreshing lemon sauce paired perfectly with the meat — absolutely delicious! Being able to enjoy a local specialty right there on our trip was such a treat.

Sasebo lemon steak sizzling on a hot iron plate with shredded onion and a slice of lemon
Pouring red wine at the lemon steak restaurant in Sasebo

A Romantic Illumination Stroll at Night

As the sun set, the entire park was wrapped in sparkling illuminations. Strolling through the grounds bathed in light was simply magical. A dreamy world, completely different from the daytime, spread out before us.

The Domtoren tower lit up red against the deep blue evening sky at Huis Ten Bosch
Illuminated two-tier carousel glowing at night in Huis Ten Bosch
Looking out at the rainbow-lit Ferris wheel reflected in the canal at Huis Ten Bosch
The Domtoren tower glowing red above a blue-lit fountain, mirrored in the water at Huis Ten Bosch
The red-lit Domtoren rising above a hillside of projection-mapped light at the Huis Ten Bosch illumination
A vast field of golden lights spread across the grounds at the Huis Ten Bosch night illumination

Cheers at a Stylish Bar 🍸

After our stroll, we headed to a stylish bar inside the park. Sipping drinks while savoring the afterglow of the beautiful scenery was pure bliss.

Two glasses of beer and a box of onion rings on the bar counter
Row of wine bottles with handwritten tasting notes above the bar counter
Walking the night boardwalk with the red-lit Domtoren and string lights ahead
Orange lanterns glowing overhead at the night illumination in Huis Ten Bosch

Staying at “Hotel Okura JR Huis Ten Bosch”

Our accommodation for the night was Hotel Okura JR Huis Ten Bosch, right by the park.

To be honest… we had one too many drinks at the bar and completely forgot to take photos of our room (oops!). But it was a lovely, comfortable room where we could rest our tired bodies after a full day of fun. Be sure to experience the room for yourself when you stay!

Red-brick clock tower of Hotel Okura JR Huis Ten Bosch under a cloudy sky
Hotel lobby entrance decorated with pumpkins and pampas grass for autumn
Looking out over the canal and park from the hotel's arched windows
Glass-roofed atrium and European-style facades at Hotel Okura JR Huis Ten Bosch
European-style street with a brick tower and an autumn pumpkin arch at Huis Ten Bosch

Wrap-Up

Our trip to Nagasaki and Sasebo, which began at Fukuoka Airport, was packed with local gourmet — champon and lemon steak — plus all the attractions and illuminations of Huis Ten Bosch. What a day!

Next time, I’ll be sharing the Fukuoka edition. Stay tuned!

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