From 1 March until 13 April, the famous Japanese Garden in Hasselt, Belgium, will open its doors for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, with several special events planned to celebrate this natural spectacle.
As the largest Japanese garden in Europe, Hasselt’s garden attracted a record-breaking 140,000 visitors last year. Although the gardens remain open throughout spring, summer, and autumn, the Cherry Blossom Festival is traditionally one of the most popular times to visit. Extra staff have been hired this year to enhance visitor experience.
Although the festival was originally scheduled to begin on 8 March, it opened a week earlier due to high tourist demand and the early blooming of the cherry blossoms. The Japanese tradition of hanami or ‘flower viewing’ is a significant cultural practice.
“The cherry tree, or Sakura (桜), holds deep meaning in Japanese culture. Cherry blossoms symbolise the fleeting nature of life. Their brief bloom reminds us to cherish life and our loved ones”, states the Japanese Garden in Hasselt. “Additionally, cherry blossoms play an important social role in Japan. They bloom during a time when people say farewell to one phase of life and begin a new one. This coincides with Japan’s societal calendar, where the school and business year starts in April and ends in March. People gather under cherry blossom trees to enjoy their beauty. By sharing these heartfelt emotions, cherry blossoms bring people closer together.”
During the Cherry Blossom Festival, visitors can do more than just admire the blooming trees—tea ceremonies, guided tours, and cultural performances will also take place at the Japanese Garden in Hasselt for those eager to deepen their understanding of Japanese culture.
“We will conclude Hanami with the unique ‘Sakura’ performance on April 13th in the Japanese Garden. Enjoy an enchanting combination of music and traditional dance that brings the essence of Japanese culture to life. Be carried away by the mesmerising sounds of the koto and shamisen, traditional Japanese instruments, as graceful dance reflects the magic of the blooming cherry blossoms.”
While cherry blossoms have long held cultural significance in Japan, they have gained increasing global popularity in recent years, partly due to social media. Many people now travel to Japan for the ultimate cherry blossom experience, while others seek alternative destinations closer to home.
The garden is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, but special evening openings are scheduled on 11 March, 19 March, 27 March, and 4 April. Tickets for the Cherry Blossom Festival can be purchased online.
