Flowers @ Huis Ten Bosch (1 of 2) (album)

May 4, 2008 (Sunday)
Huis Ten Bosch
Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan

I had earlier posted in the video section somewhere on this site, a preview of Huis Ten Bosch as well as a couple of video clips of their fireworks show which was the "highlight" of the visit.

Suffice to say, paying a visit to this park was one surprising activity since I never expected to see something like the Netherlands in the middle of Japan. There is a lot of work which went into setting up this park, not the least of which was planting and caring for the very beautiful and colorful flowers dotting the landscape.

Try as we must, even if we went there early and were one of the first to queue for entering, we were not able to attend all the rides and shows, there simply was not enough time.

The castle replica as well as the IFX theater were all we could try since the time was consumed by picture-taking and ooh-ing and aaah-ing over the various sceneries, not to mention examining the exquisite glass and crystal items, bells and whatnots at different museums and stalls, eating one of Nagasaki's famous fare: the champon, posing for the cartoon-style drawing of Benjie and yours truly as well as sailing around the bay, clambering over sails, gatecrashing a wedding party's picture-taking attending of fireworks etc...to name a few of the activities we indulged in.

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Information below taken from official site:

* Carillon Symphonica *

Japan’s first museum dedicated entirely to bells is housed in this recreated 17th century clock tower. Japan’s first bell museum has bells and carillon from around the world, especially those from Holland, on display. A carillon is a group of bells of different tones that are struck with a hammer to create melodies. The first thing you see upon entering this museum is the 9 meter carillon tower which houses 37 bells. A truly significant collection composed of ancient bells that were used to drive away evil spirits.
Location: Museumstad

* Von Seibold Museum *

A museum of the lives of the Dutch on Dejima. They have recreated in actual size part of Dejima, Nagasaki, the only place in Japan open to contact with the outside world during its period of national isolation.

Take a glimpse into the life of Von Siebold; a physician of the Dutch trading company and the first person to establish and help advance western medicine in Japan. This is your chance to learn more about how the cultures of Japan and Holland came together in Nagasaki.
Location: Museumstad

* Glass Museum *

Breathtaking, elegant glassworks and a chance to see one of the finest chandeliers in the world. During the Edo period in Japan glass was known as "giyaman", which is said to come from the Dutch word "diamant". They have brought together glass works from around the world to this museum of fine art.

You can find this museum inside the Stadhuis, which was modeled after a Dutch town hall, located on Alexander Plein. The hall chandelier, with a width of 2.2 meters, height of 3.5 meters, and weight of 750 kilograms, is made of glass so crystal clear it would be impossible to recreate it in this day and age. Wedding ceremonies are performed on the third floor.
Location Binnenstad

* Porcelain Museum *

Imari Porcelain is loved the world over. You’ll find beautiful examples of Imari porcelain on display and can learn all about its history. They have recreated a German Palace’s glorious Porcelain Cabinet which is filled with porcelain from the Orient. Approximately 3,000 pieces of fine porcelain from that time are displayed creating a sensation of power and wealth. Come learn of the history and roles that porcelain played in exchanges between the East and West through our displays of Imari and Chinese porcelain brought to Europe by the Dutch East India Company.
Location: Spakenburg

Missed this:

* Teddy Bear Kingdom *

This museum is a wonderland of heart-warming, delightful and extremely rare teddy bears. Don’t miss this museum of teddy bears loved by people of all ages.
Come experience our world-class collection of 1,500 teddy bears including the world’s largest teddy which weighs 500 kilograms and is 3.6 meters tall, rare antique teddies from the 1900 ~1950’s, specially designed teddies created by world-class artists and teddies from the most famous makers in the world.

Location: Bruekelen

- Jun 14, '08 8:39 PM