Enjoy Every Visit The Castle Town of Cherry Blossoms and Apples
Discover the charm of Hirosaki with sample courses for every season!
One of Japan’s Leading Cherry Blossom Spots. Tour Hirosaki Castle and the Temple District.
EVENT
2,600 cherry trees in bloom
Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival
April 23 to May 5
Hirosaki Park is full of great places to view cherry blossoms. Come walk through a tunnel of cherry blossoms and enjoy the view from a boat in the castle’s west moat.
The castle was built 400 years ago in the Edo Period One of Japan’s leading cherry blossom spots
The castle was planned by Tamenobu Tsugaru（who had unified the Tsugaru region）, and completed in 1611 by his successor Nobuhira.
In spring, visitors can view the castle tower,cherry blossoms fully in bloom, and Mt. Iwaki.
◎1 Shimoshirogane, Hirosaki City ◎April 23 to May 5（depending on the state of bloom of the cherry blossoms） No charge to enter the park Honmaru/Kita-no-Kuruwa: ¥320; Children: ¥100（7:00 AM to 9:00 PM during the festival）
Japanese garden with a view of Mt. Iwaki
Enjoy Japanese-style building Western-style building to your heart’s content
A “borrowed-landscape” garden with a view of Mt. Iwaki. Built in 1919 by businessman Kenichi Fujita, a native of Hirosaki. Charming Japanese and European-style buildings stand on the hill.
◎8-1 Kamishirogane-cho, Hirosaki City ◎¥320, Children: ¥100 Mid-April to November 23; 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM（Final admission: 4:30 PM）
Octagonal wooden Buddhist temple located in the Zen
Temple Area The Sazaedo is a Buddhist temple built in about 1839.
Many Buddhist statues are housed there, and it is said that if you walk along its corridor you will accomplish your pilgrimage.
◎2-9-1 Nishishigemori, Hirosaki City ◎Free of charge（Open every day April to November Closed December to March） ＜Exterior only＞
Representative architecture of the early Edo Period on par with Nikko Toshogu Shrine
Located at the center of the Zen Temple Area, home to 33 Soto Zen Buddhist temples.
It was the family temple of the ruling Tsugaru Clan.
Precious Zen-style buildings from the early Edo Period still remain.
◎1-23-8 Nishishigemori, Hirosaki City ◎Adults: ¥300（Open every day April to November Closed December to March）
Built in 1667; Tohoku’s most beautiful tower
A National Important Cultural Property located in the northernmost part of Honshu.
A five-story pagoda built by the third domain lord Nobuyoshi as a memorial for the souls of all people who fell in battle during the unification of Tsugaru.
◎63 Doya-machi, Hirosaki City ◎Free of charge（9:00 AM to 4:30 PM） ＜Exterior only＞
Try apple farming or enjoy a stroll
The park is home to about 2,300 apple trees of 80 different varieties.
Visitors can gather flowers, pick apples, and try their hand at other aspects of apple farming.
◎125 Shimizutomita Terasawa, Hirosaki City ◎Entrance: Free of charge（Fee for apple harvesting; open every day 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM）
View of Vibrant Green Mountains. Nights Colored by Neputa.
EVENT
Fan-style hanging lanterns vividly decorate the night
Hirosaki Neputa Festival
August 1 to 7 each year
Tsugaru’s representative festival, and a national important intangible folk cultural asset.
Fan-shaped neputa（procession of floats） painted with warriors wind their way through.
See and enjoy Hirosaki Neputa all year round
In addition to large neputa（procession of floats） exhibits, Goldfish Neputa creation demonstrations, and other attractions, visitors can enjoy live Tsugaru-jamisen performances.
◎61 Kamenoko-machi, Hirosaki City ◎Adults: ¥550, Junior high/High school students: ¥350, Elementary school students: ¥200, Infants/Toddlers: ¥100（9:00 AM to 5:00 PM）
Try your hand at dyeing at an Edo Period indigo dye workshop
An indigo dye shop continuing since the Kansei Era.
In addition to touring buildings from the late Edo Period, visitors can try their hand at indigo dyeing using tools from the Edo Period.
◎63 Kamenoko-machi, Hirosaki City ◎Workshop tour: ¥200（9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Closes at 4:00 PM November to March）
The home of a wealthy merchant in the Edo Period, with an arcade since earlier times
Built over 250 years ago, this wealthy merchant’s home is a National Important Cultural Property.
It has an arcade for protection from snow, called a komise.
◎88 Kamenoko-machi, Hirosaki City ◎Junior high and older: ¥100; Elementary school and younger: Free of charge（9:00 AM to 5:00 PM）
An imposing structure with layered gables, Tohoku's only existing castle tower
The only Edo Period castle tower surviving in Tohoku.
With three levels and three floors, the gables on the east and south cut an imposing figure.
◎1 Shimoshirogane-cho, Hirosaki City ◎Entry: Free of charge; Honmaru/Kita-no-Kuruwa: ¥320; Children: ¥100（9:00 AM to 5:00 PM）
The view from the top of “Tsugaru Fuji,” the prefecture’s highest point, is spectacular
With its many hiking paths, Mt. Iwaki can be climbed on foot, or ascended in a car up to Mt. Iwaki 8th Station.
◎Take Konan Bus from JR Hirosaki Station toward Karekitai（50 minutes）, transfer to a shuttle bus at Dake Onsen Hot Springs（30 minutes）, then get off at Mt. Iwaki Station 8（lift loading area）
Sweet, firm corn born of the climate on the Dake Plateau, where the difference between day and night temperatures is significant.Milky white hot water at the foot of Mt. Iwaki
Historic therapeutic bath at the southwest foot of Mt. Iwaki.
Visitors can enjoy milky white hot water in a scenic environment.
Kojima Ryokan Inn ◎20 Yunosawa Tokiwano, Hirosaki City
Hirosaki Castle Dyed in Crimson Leaves. Harvesting Apples Ripe for Eating.
EVENT
Thousands of crimson leaves and chrysanthemums weaving together
Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Foliage Festival
Late October to early November
Thousands of maple and cherry trees dyed in red and yellow, with multicolored chrysanthemums, in full bloom in Hirosaki Park. Lavish chrysanthemum dolls choreograph autumn.
Taste the apple wine brewed by local apple producers
A small brewery surrounded by apple orchards.
Local apple farmers manufacture 100% apple wine.
Visitors can even tour the factory.
◎52-3 Shimizutomita Terasawa, Hirosaki City ◎（9:00 AM to 5:00 PM）
Taste fresh apples you have picked yourself
Visitors to the park can pick their own ripe-for-the-eating apples.
◎125 Shimizutomita Terasawa, Hirosaki City ◎Charges apply（Guests will be charged based on the weight of the apples that they have picked.） ◎Early August to mid-November; 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM * There may be a limit to the number of apples that can be picked per guest, depending on the time of the year and variety.
Enjoy the romantic air of the Taisho Period in this hilltop garden bathed in crimson leaves
Amidst the “borrowed landscape” of Mt. Iwaki, European-style buildings from the Taisho Period stand on a hill with its display of crimson foliage.
Wall engravings and other elements of the era are still found inside.
Beautifully colored stained glass decorating windows above fireplaces.
◎8-1 Kamishirogane-cho, Hirosaki City ◎¥320; Children: ¥100（Mid-April to November 23, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Final admission at 4:30 PM）
Taisho Period European-style café in Fujita Memorial Garden where visitors can enjoy a stroll.
Stroll through the park looking for beautiful crimson foliage
There are many spectacular sights, such as the crimson leaves that stand out against the white wall of the castle keep, and the “maple valley” that looks like it was paved with brocade.
The Tatsumi-yagura Turret wrapped in crimson foliage, and a “chrysanthemum boat” floating on the central moat in front of it.
◎Location:Hirosaki Park Butokuden Kita no Kuruwa（Northern Enclosure） ◎Time: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM * Last admission at 4:00 PM ◎Price: Fee required
The Western-style building constructed in 1917 as the residence of the commander of the former 8th Division is a Nationally Registered Tangible Cultural Property that has been transformed into a café.
◎1-1 Kamishirogane-cho, Hirosaki City ◎7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
To a World of Pure White Snow. Relaxing in a Hot Spring.
EVENT
150 fantasy-like snow lanterns
Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival
Early to mid-February
Nearly 150 snow lanterns made by residents of the city color the park.
The castle keep and old pine trees are illuminated at night, creating a richly poetic world
EVENT
Hirosaki Electrical Fantasy
Late November to late February
European-style buildings from the Meiji and Taisho Periods are illuminated in the city, taking on the appearance of a dream in the snow.
Former Hirosaki City Library
Aomori Bank Memorial Hall
Western architecture from the Meiji Period conveys the daily lives of foreign missionaries
To-o Gijuku was the first private school opened in Aomori Prefecture.
The building was completed in 1900 as a residence for foreign missionaries teaching at the school.
◎2-1 Shimoshirogane-cho, Hirosaki City ◎Free of charge（9:00 AM to 6:00 PM）
An extraordinary winter scene with pure white snow bathing the castle keep and old pine trees
Although famous for its cherry blossoms, during winter the castle keep and the surrounding old pine trees are transformed by the snow into a unified white, providing a spectacular sight.
◎1 Shimoshirogane-cho, Hirosaki City ◎Entry: Free of charge（Illumination from sunset to 9:00 PM） November 23 to March 31 the castle keep can only be toured on the exterior
The historical atmosphere of the feudal period remains even now on the northern side of Hirosaki Castle
The vestige of the feudal period lingers in the cityscape that spreads across the northern side of Hirosaki Castle.
Visitors can see samurai residences, komise arcades, and other sights.
◎All of Bakuro-cho and parts of Wakado-cho and Kobito-cho in Hirosaki City
Former Umeda Family House
Houses the history of the Hirosaki Domain and enshrines the first and fourth domain lords
Enshrines Tamenobu Tsugaru and Nobumasa Tsugaru, the first and fourth lords of the Hirosaki Domain respectively.
Historically valuable materials and swords are stored in the Historical Museum of Hirosaki Clan（Open from April 2018）
◎Jinbano-87 Takaoka ◎The shrine grounds can be toured freely（Takaoka no Mori Historical Museum of Hirosaki Clan: ¥300; 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM; Closed on the third Monday every month）
A history of 1,200 years on Mt. Iwaki A shrine expressing the deep faith of the community
A shrine with a history of approximately 1,200 years, located at the foot of Mt. Iwaki.
It is also known as the home of the deities of marriage and economic good fortune.
◎27 Jinbano Takaoka, Hirosaki City
A spectacular view of Mt. Iwaki and excellent snow The diverse courses are attractive
A ski resort located near Hyakuzawa Onsen Hot Springs.
Visitors can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and snow trekking, etc.
◎Rinpan 32, Kokuyurin, Higashi-Iwakisan, Hyakuzawa, Hirosaki City ◎Late December to mid-March
High thermal effect One of the 10 famous hot springs of Mt. Iwaki
A convenient stop after sightseeing or skiing at Mt. Iwaki; lively year round.
Asobe-no-Mori Iwaki-so ◎28-29 Terasawa, Hyakuzawa, Hirosaki City
East Asia’s largest beech tree forest spreads throughout Shirakami-Sanchi.
Walk through the ancient forest and envelope yourself in the abundant natural environment.
Visitors can stroll casually through a beech tree forest.
If you turn left at the second of three markers on the path, you enter a 30-minute course.
A campground at the entrance to Shirakami-Sanchi, with shops and dining halls.
Stop by to gather information before taking a walk.
◎417 Okawazoe, Kawaratai, Nishimeya-mura ◎9:00 AM to 5:00 PM ◎Late April to early November
Early June to early October
Art created in a rice paddy by planting various types of seedling to create enormous pictures a nd w riting.
It can be viewed from the Inakadate Village Hall and the Roadside Station Observation Deck.
◎123-1 Nakatsuji, Inakadate, Inakadate-mura
2013 Rice Paddy Art “Courtesans and Hollywood Stars.”
Find out about dining in Hirosaki, from local cuisine using the sumptuous food of Tsugaru to French dining fit for a city of European-style buildings, retro cafés, etc.
Local cuisine that gently resonates within you
With a focus on local Tsugaru cuisine and food made from Aomori Prefecture’s specialty items, this pub has a menu of seasonal vegetables for guests to enjoy.
◎3 Okeya-machi, Hirosaki City ◎6:00 PM to 11:30 PM（Weekdays）, 6:00 PM to 12:30 AM（Weekends and nights before public holidays）
Diced vegetables, mountain vegetables, deep-fried tofu, and other ingredients are boiled together and seasoned with miso and soy sauce.
A soup with a simple, homespun flavor.
◎1 Sakamoto-cho, Hirosaki City ◎Lunch: Last order at 2:30 PM; Closes at 3:00 PM, Dinner: Last order at 9:00 PM; Closes at 10:00 PM
Using a scallop shell as a dish, green onions, broth, and miso are boiled together, then finished off with eggs.
The Scallop is sometimes included as well.
Igamenchi is a deep-fried dish made of chopped squid tentacles and vegetables.
It was born from the wisdom of not wasting any part of the squid, and carries in it that familiar flavor of Mom’s cooking.
◎164 Watoku-machi, Hirosaki City ◎11:00 AM to 7:30 PM
Soba（buckwheat noodles） made with a unique technique passed down since the Edo Period.
A fluffy texture and simple flavor.
◎2-7-3 Tomita, Hirosaki City ◎5:00 PM to 10:30 PM（Live shamisen performances start at about 7:00 PM）
Tsugaru-jamisen The 3-time consecutive winner of the National Tsugaru Shamisen Contest gives a powerful live performance right in front of you.
◎1F Niko Building, Oyakata-machi, Hirosaki City ◎5:00 PM to 11:00 PM（Live shamisen performances at 7:30 PM and 9:30 PM）
Guests can enjoy local cuisine and Tsugaru-jamisen around an open hearth.
The live performances right in front of you are powerful.
◎69 Mototera-machi, Hirosaki City ◎11:00 AM to 1:30 PM; 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Tsugaru’s seasonal fish, mountain vegetables, and other ingredients are selected according to strict standards and prepared with delicate technique to create a delicious meal that is like a work of art
An elegant dish made with Tsugaru ingredients
◎41 Oyakata-machi, Hirosaki City ◎11:30 AM to 2:00 PM; 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Reservations required
Select the soup and main dish you want from a menu of items prepared with fastidiously selected ingredients.
◎53-2 Daikan-cho, Hirosaki City ◎11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Reservations required
As is proper for the home of apples, soup, main dishes, and desserts make ample use of apples.
Highly Recommended Hirosaki Snacks
◎16-7 Ekimae-cho, Hirosaki City ◎8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
A buttery aroma and a lightly swe etened, gentle flavor.
◎23 Oyakata-machi, Hirosaki City ◎7:30 AM to 6:30 PM
The standard pie from a long-established bakery using Jonathan apples.
◎65-1 Kamenoko-machi, Hirosaki City ◎7:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Available only from November to March. Original bakery-made apple pies.
◎24-1 Kamisayashi-machi, Hirosaki City ◎9:00 AM to 9:30 PM
Crisp homemade pie full of Fuji apples
◎1-9-7 Jotokita, Hirosaki City ◎9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
A filling pie with plenty of apples that aren’t too sweet.
◎32 Shintera-machi, Hirosaki City ◎9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Utilizes the natural sweetness and tartness of apples. It also keeps well
An air freshener shaped like an apple. Made from Aomori’s hiba tree wood.
Tsugaru-han Neputa Village
◎61 Kamenoko-machi, Hirosaki City ◎ 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
A hand towel decorated with cute apple illustrations.
Hirokabutsuryu
◎1-2-1 Suehiro-cho, Hirosaki City ◎8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
An iPhone case decorated with traditional Tsugaru-nuri lacquer. Characterized by the complex pat tern brought out by polishing multiple layers of lacquer.
Omoide Shop Sakura House
◎1F Hirosaki Municipal Tourist Center, 2-1 Shimoshirogane, Hirosaki City ◎9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Needlework passed down in the Tsugaru region since ancient times.
Patterns and colors can also be arranged in a modern fashion.
Tsugaru-han Neputa Village
◎61 Kamenoko-machi, Hirosaki City ◎9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The gentle flavor of apple paste sandwiched between thin rice cracker layers.
Suzuro
◎14-2 Tashiro-cho, Hirosaki City ◎9:30 AM to 6:00 PM
A baked snack with a moist texture, made by wrapping the flesh of apples in half-raw riced cracker dough.
Shikanai Senbei
◎32 Shintera-machi, Hirosaki City ◎9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Produced in the company’s own factory
A gorgeous foam with a fruity aroma and the sweetness of apples.
Produced in the company’s own factory
The aroma of apples, with a refined tartness and faint bitter flavor.
Tamura Farm Co., Ltd.
◎18-28 Aoki-cho, Hirosaki City ◎8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Clean, dry and smooth.
A perfect companion to strong-tasting Japanese or Western food.
Rokka Shuzo Co., Ltd.
◎217 Toyoda, Mukaitonose, Hirosaki City ◎9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
A gorgeous aroma and soft taste.
Easy to combine with western cuisine.
Kaneta Tamada Shuzo Co., Ltd.
◎81 Shigemori-machi, Hirosaki City ◎9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Hirosaki Municipal Tourist Center provides a variety of information about sightseeing in Hirosaki.
Decorated with Hirosaki neputa, the first floor has a souvenir shop.
The Tsugaru-nuri lacquering process is demonstrated on the second floor.
The souvenir shop is Omoide Shop Sakura House.
◎2-1 Shimoshirogane-cho, Hirosaki City ◎Open to the public（9:00 AM to 6:00 PM; may be extended during festivals）
It’s just a quick trip by airplane from Tokyo to Aomori Airport.
Buses are available for the trip from Aomori Airport to central Hirosaki. By train, you can transfer between the JR Tohoku/Hokkaido Shinkansen and conventional railway lines at Shin-Aomori Station.
There are direct expressway buses from Tokyo during the daytime and also at night.
Only daytime buses are available from Sendai.
Bicycles can be rented at the Hirosaki Tourist Information Center, Hirosaki Machinaka Information Center, Hirosaki Municipal Tourist Center, Tsugaru-han Neputa Village, and Hirosaki Apple Park.
Bicycles can be returned to any of the rental stations.
◎Open from mid-May to late November（tentative）; 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.（Rental available until 4:00 PM） * Rental start times differ by location. ◎Open every day during the operating period. * Closed in the event of bad weather. ◎Regular bicycles: ¥500 Electric bicycles: ¥1,000（Electric bicycle rental and return at the Hirosaki Station Tourist Information Center and the Hirosaki Municipal Tourist Center only.）
Of all the ¥100 buses running in central Hirosaki, the ¥100 Dotemachi Loop Bus is the most convenient for sightseeing.
With departures and arrivals at the Hirosaki Bus Terminal, the bus travels from Hirosaki Station through the Dotemachi area.
Runs at 10-minute intervals from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM（5:00 PM during winter）.
All-day passes are available for ¥500.
1st Floor, Hirosaki Station Chuo-guchi
◎8:45 AM to 6:00 PM
◎Phone: 0172-26-3600
2-1 Shimoshirogane-cho Hirosaki City
◎9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
◎Phone: 0172-37-5501
