Huis Ten Bosch, the Dutch-style resort complex in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, launched a major collaboration with the hit anime Evangelion on April 24. Branded “Interception Fortress City Huis Ten Bosch,” the event is built around Japan’s first 8K ride and stretches across the park with exclusive merch, themed food and drinks, nighttime performances, and concept hotel rooms. It’s designed not as a simple tie-in but as a full-sensory dive into the world of Evangelion.
First up and easily the centerpiece is the attraction Evangelion: The Ride – 8K -. Framing Huis Ten Bosch as if it houses a base from the Evangelion universe, the ride aims for total immersion from the moment you arrive.
As the name promises, Evangelion: The Ride – 8K – uses a super-high-resolution 8K LED dome to deliver breathtaking visuals. A cutting-edge motion system times every move to the imagery so the action registers through your whole body.
Housed in the Blue Anchor Gallery of Attraction Town, the ride area greets visitors with a charming old-European façade. A corridor that feels part museum, part library leads to a briefing room, where the NERV Sasebo Branch logo appears and a voice actor sets the scene. The mission briefing plays out like a moment lifted straight from the anime—complete with character dialogue that amps up the immersion.
Since it’s a motion ride, guests stash loose items in lockers before heading to a three-story boarding platform. Gondola-style ride vehicles await, and the restraint system includes multiple options—standard buckles and T-bar fastenings for kids—so safety was clearly a priority.
When the lights dim and the vehicle turns toward the 8K dome, the video launches like a sortie. The car briefly tilts forward, giving a genuine “launch!” jolt, and the synchronized movements deepen that sense of being inside the action. Framed as NERV agents conducting training missions to support the Evangelion units, the narrative builds tension with close encounters against the Angels. Stunning high-resolution shots turn the park and Omura Bay into dramatic aerial set pieces, intensifying the sense of presence. At moments the ride releases a fine water mist that won’t bother glasses wearers, and it even deploys scents—like a floral note—to keep the excitement alive and stimulate more senses.
The experience is so immersive it feels short, but the ride’s original storyline delivers a satisfying beginning, middle, and end. I previewed the attraction at a media event the day before the opening and liked it so much I skipped lunch on opening day to ride again. If you’re planning a trip to Huis Ten Bosch while this event runs, do yourself a favor and try it.
After the ride, fans can keep the buzz going at the official store or sample special collaboration menus at cafes, restaurants, and food trucks.
The official store Pondel carries everything from apparel and accessories to snacks and toys tied to Evangelion: The Ride – 8K -, Interception Fortress City Huis Ten Bosch, and the broader Evangelion universe. Many items are exclusive to Huis Ten Bosch—one standout is a castella cake from Bunmeido Sohonten stamped with a special mark. Beyond event-only merch, the shop also stocks classic Evangelion goods, so fans have plenty of choices.
You can also buy a kit here to join the NERV Sasebo Branch Operation Proposal Stamp Rally, an interactive event where you collect approval stamps tied to the ride’s storyline. Foreign-language support is being prepared, and organizers expect the rally to be easy for international visitors to enjoy starting this summer.
On the food and drink front, Huis Ten Bosch serves Evangelion-themed creations that don’t just borrow the concept—they reproduce the look and color schemes to great effect. The lineup spans full meals, snacks, and drinks, and the playful menu names show a cheeky sense of humor—think “Unit-01 Rampage Paella (don’t worry, the flavor won’t go berserk)” or “Rampage in Your Mouth?! Green Apple Soda.” More importantly, most dishes I tried weren’t just gimmicks—they delivered solid, well-made flavors that matched their clever concepts.
My favorites included the spicy, savory Chilled Tomato Jjamppong with NERV Base Set; the Unit-01 Soft Serve, a grape-and-matcha combo that mirrors the unit’s color palette; and the Angel Extermination Lemon Steak & Hamburg Plate, which uses Sasebo’s signature Western-style ingredients for a satisfying local twist.
The nighttime production Shower of Light: HARMONICS WITH EVANGELION pairs iconic classical pieces from the anime soundtrack with fireworks, lights, and fountains for a synchronized audio-visual spectacle. The Domtoren tower also illuminates in the colors of the Evangelion units, reinforcing that you’re still very much at Huis Ten Bosch.
There are also overnight options for fans who want to extend the experience. Hotel Den Haag’s concept room, NERV Sasebo Branch Staff Temporary Lodging — Special Specification, is decked out with Evangelion-themed elements throughout. Illustrations, logos, and character goods decorate the space, and guests receive exclusive take-home merchandise. Some rooms even offer views of Omura Bay, letting you carry the attraction’s vibe into your stay.
By tying together themed attractions, food, merch, shows, and hotel offerings, Interception Fortress City Huis Ten Bosch gives fans a sensory-rich way to enjoy Evangelion while connecting them to the resort’s broader experiences. The event shows careful thought about what fans crave, and it looks set to give visitors memorable moments throughout their stay.
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