Over the years, I’ve mentioned Hirosaki Castle Park on this blog a number of times now in other articles about the cherry blossoms, but I’ve never gotten around to featuring it. So, it’s high time that I get around to fixing that oversight and finally write about what is arguably the best place in all of Japan for cherry blossoms during spring. You see, while there are countless other top-tier spots in the country such as Hanamiyama Park in Fukushima Prefecture, few places can truly claim that they can hold a candle to the supreme beauty of Hirosaki Castle Park.
As the name implies, Hirosaki Castle Park sits upon the castle grounds of a former fortress in Aomori Prefecture. Originally commissioned in the early 1600s by the lord of the Tsugaru clan, this spacious park is about 0.6 square kilometers in size and is home to as many as 2,600 cherry trees. Additionally, you’ll also find the gorgeous flora and fauna on display at Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden as well as Gokoku Shrine, the prefectural branch of Yasukuni Shrine, on the premises.
While Hirosaki Castle Park is best known for its petal-filled moats and the annual Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival during the latter half of April, the stronghold itself is one of twelve surviving Japanese castles, meaning that unlike somewhere like Nagoya Castle in Aichi Prefecture, Hirosaki Castle is actually an authentic historical structure. Because of this, Hirosaki Castle Park doubly appeals to fans of medieval Japanese history too.
As far as Japan’s castles go, the current keep is a bit of a baby, having been rebuilt towards the end of the Edo period (1603–1868) after its predecessor was struck by lightning. Reconstructed in the year 1810, Hirosaki Castle is a lot younger than some of the other more famous remaining strongholds. That said, the remaining keep, gates, and other buildings are all collectively considered to be one of Japan’s national treasures and are still quite the sight to behold, especially during peak bloom.
All in all, Hirosaki Castle Park is both the perfect setting for cherry blossoms (especially at nighttime) as well as someplace that appeals to the history buffs out there due to it being the former headquarters of the Hirosaki domain. Thus, when it comes to springtime recommendations in Japan, I don’t think there is anywhere else that I could even begin to consider suggesting over the former castle town of Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture.
How to Get There
Let’s take a quick second and cover how to get to Hirosaki Castle Park before we go any further. Assuming that you’re starting in Tokyo, visitors are going to want to take one of the Hayabusa Shinkansen bound for Tohoku all the way up to Shin-Aomori Station. This leg of the journey is going to take you upwards of three hours, so I suggest you travel up to Tohoku the day before you plan to go to Hirosaki Castle Park.
From Shin-Aomori Station, you’ll need to then take the Ou Line over to JR Hirosaki Station. This trek should take you around forty minutes or so, and you’ll be blessed with some great views of Mt. Iwaki, the “Mt. Fuji of Tsugaru,” while en route. After arriving, you can either cram yourselves onto a bus bound for Hirosaki Castle Park with all of the other people trying to make their way over to the space, or you can walk. The grounds are located around 20 minutes on foot away, and personally, I find it beats being crammed on the bus.
As always, you should consult a service like Jorudan when it comes to calculating train times, but one thing I will warn you about is that spring is often a time when the Shinkansen get really crowded, as many other people are also going to be venturing up to Tohoku to chase peak bloom. Thus, you should try to make your reservations for the bullet train as far in advance as you can. This way, you don’t get stuck without a way to make it up to Hirosaki.
Likewise, hotels are often also completely booked out during April, at least in the center of Hirosaki City. While a few more accommodations have been constructed in recent years, the area just simply isn’t set up to handle the demand that it draws during the spring. If you can’t find a room in the city, you’ll have to resort to doing what I do every year when I revisit Hirosaki Castle Park and opt to stay over in Aomori City.
Finally, while we will come back to this point in the final section of this article, know that a journey to Hirosaki Castle Park is best done with the JR East Pass (Tohoku Area). Costing but a mere 30,000 yen, this pass alone costs less than the round-trip fare to and from Shin-Aomori Station. Considering that you can also check out a number of other amazing destinations in Tohoku before or after Hirosaki Castle Park, you’d be a fool not to get the JR East Pass (Tohoku Area).
The Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival
This should come as no surprise, but by far, the best reason to visit Hirosaki Castle Park is the space’s 2,600 cherry trees. Ranging the gamut from your standard Somei Yoshino to the weeping cherry blossoms that are known as Shidare-zakura in Japanese, this space is truly a temple to springtime blossoms. Entirely free to enter, Hirosaki Castle Park might very well be one of the most beautiful places on the planet in late April.
Every year, Hirosaki Castle Park hosts its annual Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival. Beginning when the cherry blossoms first start to peek out of their buds and lasting until the final petal falls into the castle’s moat in early May, this yearly celebration draws crowds from all over. During the time that the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival is going on, the castle’s grounds are adorned with countless food vendors and other such hanami essentials (there is even a haunted house).
While walking around and mingling with the locals while you enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Hirosaki Castle Park is the main allure, there are two locales that I want to point out. The first of these is the heart-shaped hole pictured above, which can be found immediately past the Sugi-no-Ohashi Bridgee (just look for the crowd of cameramen). The other is the rental boats in the castle’s western moat, which are both a photo opportunity as well as a fun activity.
If you do come for the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival, I implore you to stay late into the night. While the space is indeed unmatched during the daytime, the scene becomes even more breathtaking during the evening when the cherry blossoms are lit up. Just be sure to make a mental note of when you’ll need to catch a bus back to Hirosaki Station if you’re staying in somewhere like Aomori City that you can’t walk to.
Hirosaki’s Original Castle Keep
As noted in the introduction, Hirosaki Castle is one of a dozen surviving medieval strongholds to survive into the Meiji period (1868–1912). While many other castles were dismantled, Hirosaki Castle’s keep and some of its gates managed to dodge this bullet. Thus, the three-story tower is still around for visitors from the modern age to enjoy and has been labeled one of the “100 Best Castles in Japan” by the Japan Castle Foundation. Especially when set against the snow-covered Mt. Iwaki and the pink of the surrounding weeping cherry trees, Hirosaki Castle is truly a sight to behold.
For the history buffs out there, know that Hirosaki Castle was constructed in the Hirayama-style. Unlike structures from the more violent Warring States periodd (1467–1600), Hirosaki Castle was erected during an age of relative peace. While the site where the main keep still sits atop a hill and is surrounded by defensive walls, moats, and various gates for easier defending, Hirosaki Castle is not located on a mountaintop like wartime forts often were. Rather than someplace impossible to besiege, Hirosaki Castle was designed to be the center of local administration.
While entry to Hirosaki Castle Park is free, those wishing to see the castle up close will need to pay a few extra yen for the admission fee. When purchasing your ticket, be sure to opt for the combination ticket that also affords you entry to the Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden. After paying your entrance fee, you’ll be free to explore both the area around the keep as well as the interior itself, where you’ll find a small souvenir shop as well as some background information on the castle.
The Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden
After exploring the historic keep, I suggest you also drop by the Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden. Located on the southern side of the grounds, this space is home to all sorts of flowers and other seasonal wonders. While it’s home to some cherry blossoms too, the Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden is a space that can be enjoyed during any time of the year during which things actually bloom. While the space will be blanketed by snow during winter, any of the warmer months of the year are a time when it’s worth dropping by.
As far as my research shows, the Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden boasts over 1,500 different plant species spread across around 10 distinct areas, each showcasing different types of flora. From peonies to irises and beyond, the garden changes character with the seasons, making every visit a slightly different experience. Spring visitors will be treated to a vibrant explosion of color beyond just the cherry blossoms, while summer sees the grounds come alive with lush greenery and colorful blooms.
In addition to being a haven for plant lovers, the garden also serves as a peaceful retreat from the more crowded parts of Hirosaki Castle Park during peak festival times. It’s the perfect spot to slow down, take some leisurely strolls, and soak in the natural beauty without the hustle and bustle of the main cherry blossom areas. If you’re looking to snap a few serene, crowd-free photos, the Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden should definitely be on your list.
The Flavors of Aomori Prefecture
If you’re going to go to Aomori Prefecture to see the cherry blossoms, you should do yourself a favor and enjoy some of the local specialties or meibutsu. While springtime visitors won’t have the opportunity to pick them fresh from the trees like those coming in autumn will, Hirosaki City is well known for its amazing apples. So, while you walk your way around Hirosaki Castle Park and enjoy the cherry blossoms, be sure to savor some apples.
One of the best apple treats to be had are apple pies. These can be procured at one of the temporary buildings that pop up every year for the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival. Alternatively, if you want to warm up, there are a number of nearby cafes around that also sell hot apple pies, like Taisho Roman Tea Room. Just note that many places often sell out in the early hours of the day due to the popularity of apple pies, so don’t wait until night and hope to get one!
If apple pies aren’t your thing, Hirosaki City is also famous for its wide array of apple-based products. You’ll find everything from refreshing apple ciders to rich apple curries, and even apple-infused ramen if you’re feeling adventurous. Local farmers and producers take a lot of pride in their craft, so no matter what form it takes, the apple goods you’ll encounter are sure to be top-notch. Sampling a few of these unique creations is a must-do for any foodie visiting Hirosaki, especially during the lively spring festival season.
The Snow Lantern Festival of Hirosaki City
While Hirosaki Castle Park is a place that is almost synonymous with the cherry blossom season during the middle of April, the local residents of Hirosaki also host various events during other parts of the year too. For example, the castle grounds are every bit as pretty to walk through during autumn as they are during the spring. So, even if you can’t drop by during the first half of the year, there are still ample reasons to visit during other months.
One seasonal event to note is the annual Snow Lantern Festival. Held during the winter, this charming festival sees the castle grounds transformed into a magical snowscape illuminated by hundreds of handmade snow lanterns and kamakura-style snow huts. Typically taking place in early February, the Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival draws visitors from all over Japan who come to admire the enchanting winter scenery and the softly glowing lights set against the historic backdrop of the castle.
During the festival, you’ll find elaborately carved snow sculptures, many of which feature famous characters or traditional motifs, scattered throughout the park. At night, these creations are lit from within, creating a serene and almost otherworldly atmosphere that’s completely different from the lively vibe during cherry blossom season. In addition to the displays, there are also food stalls serving up local wintertime specialties, making it the perfect opportunity to sample some regional flavors while enjoying the frosty festivities.
If you happen to be visiting during the winter months, the Snow Lantern Festival offers a unique way to experience Hirosaki Castle Park that most travelers miss. Though it can get quite cold, the combination of twinkling lanterns, crisp winter air, and the stoic silhouette of Hirosaki Castle makes for a truly unforgettable visit.
Other Nearby Attractions
OK, enough about Hirosaki Castle Park. Let’s look at some of the other famous allures in the nearby area. For starters, seeing as the hotel situation in Hirosaki City is atrocious, you’re likely going to wind up staying back in the capital of Aomori Prefecture, so why not look at my standalone guide to the city? Between the Sannai-Maruyama Site, the Aomori Museum of Art, and Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse, you can easily spend a few hours if not days in Aomori City.
In addition to Aomori City, the northern reaches of Akita are also easily accessible from Hirosaki. In fact, when it ended up raining during my first day at Hirosaki Castle Park this year, I hoofed it back towards the JR Hirosaki Station and then took the Ou Line down to Odate Station. There, I dropped by the Akita Inu Visitor Center to see the adorable doggies while I waited out the rain. If you’re a fan of this cute but mighty breed of dogs, consider dropping by Odate when in Hirosaki.
Lastly, if you take my suggestion and get a JR East Pass (Tohoku Area), your options really open up. Case in point, this year, I got one of the passes and went to Kitakami Tenshochi Park on the first day. From there, I ventured up to Morioka and spent the day chasing some cherry blossoms before finally venturing over to Hirosaki Castle Park for the fifth year in a row. If you get one of these passes, you too can have an epic adventure like this in northern Japan!
Until next time travelers…
