Sunday pre-opening at Hasselt's Japanese Garden attracts 2,500

The Japanese Garden in Hasselt opened on Sunday – ahead of its scheduled season opening – as the first spring blooms were already popping out on the cherry trees. It was a one-day-only event; now the garden is closed again until next Sunday, when it opens for the season.

Thanks to announcements by local media, there were long lines of people waiting to get in on Sunday, and the visitors eventually numbered 2,500. “We wanted to give visitors the chance to enjoy these beautiful blossoms,” said Sara Davidson of the garden.

The attraction – the largest Japanese Garden in Europe – has 225 cherry trees of different varieties, so blossoms are guaranteed into early May. The garden opens officially next Sunday with a big party, featuring guided walks, demonstrations of Japanese instruments, workshops in taiko drumming and dance and a theatre concert. The event is sold out.

On the second week of April, the garden hosts Japanese Dog Weekend; all Japanese breeds – the spitz and Akita are the most common – are welcome on the day, together with their owners. Later in the month the garden celebrates World Tai Chi Day, and in May it hosts a big sushi feast.

The exhibition 90 Days of Light opens on opening day and runs until 21 June. Japanese-Belgian artist Michiko Van de Velde’s work contemplates our relationship to light and the special energy imparted by the light of spring, a moment of rebirth.

The Japanese Garden is open until 3 November, including holidays.