Those who know Hirosaki Castle (弘前城) or Hirosaki Park (弘前公園) in Aomori Prefecture probably know them because of their reputation for stunning cherry blossoms. More than two hundred thousand people visit Hirosaki for its Cherry Blossom Festival (弘前さくらまつり) each year! No wonder it was chosen as one of the top three cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan and one of the three most popular illuminated cherry blossom viewing spots in the country!
Furthermore, if you are a fan of the anime, “Demon Slayer”, you may also want to see the tree that might have inspired Nezuko’s (Tanjiro’s sister) namesake.
Table of Contents
- Dress-Up Experience and Guided Tour at Hirosaki Park
- Hirosaki Castle’s History
- The Castle Keep that Doesn’t Sit on the Stone Wall
- Things to Do at Hirosaki Castle
- Hirosaki Castle’s Admission Fee and Opening Hours
- Hirosaki Park
- Hirosaki Castle Sannomaru Ōtemon Gate (弘前城 三の丸追手門)
- The Famous West Moat (西濠)
- Hirosaki Castle Lotus Pond Moat (弘前城 蓮池濠)
- The Most Romantic Spot at Hirosaki Park
- The 500 Years Old Tree for Fans of the Anime “Demon Slayer” (鬼滅の刃)
- Festivals at Hirosaki Park
- How to Get to Hirosaki Castle/Park
Tips:
☛ Refer to the map HERE for Hirosaki Park’s best photo spots.
☛ Refer to HERE for the map for Hirosaki Park.
Explore Hirosaki with a Professional Guide
If you prefer a guide to introduce you to Hirosaki, how about joining one of the below tours?
- Hirosaki Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
- Half-Day Hirosaki Castle and Samurai House Tour
- Hirosaki Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
- Hirosaki Castle Cherry Blossom Private Charter One-Day Tour (Cherry Blossom Season Exclusive)
- Private Cherry Blossom Tour in Hirosaki With a Local Guide
- Full-Day Jomon World Heritage Site and Hirosaki Castle Tour
- Apple Picking and Hirosaki Castle Private Tour
Dress-Up Experience and Guided Tour at Hirosaki Park
If you ever dream of becoming the lord or the princess of the castle, don’t miss out on the dress-up experience offered at the park! Starting from 500 yen, your dream will temporarily come true!
HERE is the official Japanese website for the most up-to-date information.
Also, if you happen to arrive at the park outside of the snow or cherry blossom season, try out their smart glasses tour guide so you can still see the most beautiful side of the park! For more information, please refer to the official website HERE.
Hirosaki Castle’s History
The planning of the construction of the Hirosaki Castle started in 1610 by Tsugaru Tamenobu (津軽 為信), the domain’s first lord. The construction only took a year and was completed in 1611. Since the completion of the castle, it was the base of the Tsugaru Clan (津軽藩) for 260 years.
Originally, the castle was named “Takaoka Castle (高岡城)”. Since the completion of the castle, the construction of a “castle town” that aimed to strengthen the castle’s defence facility while also serving an administrative and commercial function began.
In 1628, the completion of the castle town (and the three-story turret to replace the castle keep) prompted the renaming of the castle as “Hirosaki Castle”.
The Hirosaki Park today, where we may now stroll freely, wasn’t actually built for the locals’ leisure. The fortified moats, castle gates, and several corner turrets were there to protect the Hirosaki Castle from any potential invaders (´▽`*).
The original five-story castle keep was unfortunately struck by lightning in 1627 and was consequently burnt to the ground (the lightning just happened to strike the explosives storage). Despite its defensive function’s importance, rebuilding the castle keep did not begin. The Tokugawa Shogunate didn’t approve of rebuilding the castle keep, instead opting to build a three-story turret.
The reconstruction of the castle keep was only allowed in 1810 to keep an eye on the Russian ships coming from Tsugaru Strait. The construction took 8 years.
After Matsumae Castle’s castle keep in Hokkaidō was burnt down in 1949, the Hirosaki castle keep is now the northernmost castle keep in Japan. It is also the only Castle that retained its “original” appearance since the Edo period (1603 – 1867) in North-Eastern Japan and one of the 12 Castles With the Original Castle Keep in Japan.
The Castle Keep that Doesn’t Sit on the Stone Wall
If you visit Hirosaki Castle before 2025, you won’t be able to see the castle tower sitting atop the stone walls, as shown in the video/photo.
As of 2015, the castle keep has been moved to another spot in Hirosaki Park (just 70 meters away from where it was) so that the stone wall can be repaired. It is simply amazing how they managed to move the castle tower!
As you can see in the Instagram post below, there is nothing on top of the stone base at the moment. According to the explanation board inside the castle keep, the entire castle keep structure was lifted and moved using a temporary rail track installed (the 3rd photo in the left IG post below).
Like other castle keeps in Japan, the interior is a small museum about the castle’s history. You can also overlook Hirosaki Park and Mt. Iwaki from the windows.
Mt. Iwaki
The best thing about moving the castle keep to its current location is you can get a photo of the castle with Mt. Iwaki as a backdrop.
Mt. Iwaki s also known as “Tsugaru Fuji” due to its similar shape to that of the actual Mt. Fuji. The snow cap may remind you of the view of Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture (*´ω`)?
From where the castle keep is located, you can easily get a nice photo of the tallest mountain in Aomori Prefecture. Don’t forget to take a selfie with it before exploring Hirosaki Park!
Hirosaki Park
After the end of the Edo period, the vast ground of the Hirosaki Castle was turned into a park where commoners like you and I can enjoy in 1895. The Hirosaki Park spans 492,000 square meters. The park features a variety of plants, from approximately 2,600 cherry blossom trees (52 different types) to ginkgo and chrysanthemum, all there to add seasonal colors to this massive park throughout the year (*’▽’). Many of the cherry trees were donated by the locals in the early 20th century.
Most parts of Hirosaki Park are free to access. However, you must pay an admission fee to enter the areas below.
- Hirosaki Castle
- Visit Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden (弘前城植物園)
HERE is the map for Hirosaki Park’s admission area.
Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden (弘前城植物園)
If you love being surrounded by various plants, don’t miss out on the Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden! During the cherry blossom season, the garden is a haven to escape from the massive crowds.
Boasting a size of 76,500 square meters and around 1,500 different types of plants, this well-maintained garden is as pretty as a painting from spring to autumn. You may also find cherry blossom trees that can’t be found elsewhere here in Hirosaki Park (*´ω`).
If you are interested in which flowers bloom in what month, refer to HERE on their official website and translate it using Google Chrome’s translation function at the right of the address bar!
This Japanese garden is said to be the origin of the Tsugaru region’s gardening style and is thus treated as a valuable asset in Hirosaki.
Do not worry if it rains during your visit. There are free resting areas and a cafe (=゚ω゚)ノ.
HERE is a simple map of the garden. The map is in Japanese, but the drawings describe the features to some extent. If you really wish to understand everything on the map, you can contact us HERE, and we will get back to you.
It will take you approximately 40 minutes to an hour to stroll around the garden (^_-)-☆.
Hirosaki Castle’s Admission Fee and Opening Hours
HERE is a complete map of Hirosaki Park (in Japanese, as there is currently no English version). The part that is colored in light orange can only be accessed with an admission fee. The light orange area on the left is where the Hirosaki Castle is located, and the area to its right is the botanical garden.
Hirosaki Castle (弘前城本丸・北の郭)
- The admission fee is
- 320 yen for adults
- 100 yen for children
- The castle is open from 9 am to 5 pm between the 1st of April and the 23rd of November.
- During Cherry Blossom Festival in late April, the castle is open from 7 am to 9 pm.
Tip: From the 24th of November to the end of March, it is FREE to stroll around this area. However, you could not explore the interior of the castle during that time.
Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden (弘前城植物園)
- The admission fee is
- 320 yen for adults
- 100 yen for children
- The garden is open from 9 am to 5 pm from mid-April to the 23rd of November.
- The last admission is at 4:30 pm.
- During Cherry Blossom Festival in late April, the castle is open from 7 am to 6 pm.
- The last admission is at 5:30 pm.
Tip: Visit the garden on the last Sunday in May to explore the Garden for FREE!
There is also a combo ticket available for purchase to enter both areas (520 yen for adults and 160 yen for children). With this combo ticket, you can also access Fujita Memorial Garden (藤田記念庭園) – another popular attraction spot in Hirosaki City, for free (=゚ω゚)ノ.
Hirosaki Castle Sannomaru Ōtemon Gate (弘前城 三の丸追手門)
Apart from the castle tower, the gates of the garden and three other turrets also have historical monuments that are worth a visit.
This gate is just meters away from the Hirosaki Botanical Garden mentioned above. If you are getting there by bus, get off at Shiyakusho Mae (市役所前), and you will see this gate as soon as you get off!
Before you enter the garden, however, consider checking out the Ōtemon Square (追手門広場) opposite this gate for some Miniature Structures (ミニチュア建造物). There you will find 14 miniature buildings that were built during the Meiji and Taisho periods (1868 – 1926)!
For more information, please refer to our article on Hirosaki City (=゚ω゚)ノ.
The Famous West Moat (西濠)
Hirosaki Park isn’t just stunning in areas where you can stand under the cherry blossom trees. The view of the flowers on the two sides of the moat is equally famous! Whether it is the reflection of the blossoms during the day or the romantic atmosphere in the illuminated night, you will never regret dropping by one of these moats (especially the one in the west of the castle)!
You will also find the cherry blossom tunnel at the West Moat (^_-)-☆.
If you are curious what the boats are for in the photo above, they can be rented from 9 am to 5 pm from mid-April to early May (the last admission is at 4:30 pm).
The cost is 1,000 yen for a 60-minute boat ride. The boat’s capacity is three people.
You have probably seen photos of Japan’s roads covered by cherry blossom petals in spring, and the photo on the left-hand side might look like one of them.
But, if you attempt to walk on this “road” you will find yourself bathing in flower petals – which sounds quite nice… except you might catch a cold the next day (´▽`*).
Underneath these petals is actually the castle’s moat! The Japanese call it the Floral Raft (花筏). It is one of the must-visit spots if you ever visit Hirosaki around late April!
Tip: A relatively unknown great photo spot to many tourists is at the north end of the west moat. You can get an amazing photo of the Shunyō-bashi Bridge (春陽橋). It is where many professional photographers gather.
Hirosaki Castle Lotus Pond Moat (弘前城 蓮池濠)
Opposite the West Moat, you will find this moat, filled with lotus.
In summer, from July to August, hundreds of brightly colored lotus flowers are blooming (*´ω`).
If you happen to visit Hirosaki for its Neputa Festival at the beginning of August, this scenery might be something to chill out to (´▽`*).
The Most Romantic Spot at Hirosaki Park
Looking for ideas for where to propose to your loved one? How about Hirosaki Park (≧▽≦)! The spot is the most romantic when pink cherry blossom flowers cover the branches of the trees. But throughout the year, even in winter, this heart shape can be seen!
Now, if you pay attention to the ground, you will find a heart-shaped mark on the ground (refer to the Instagram post above). As soon as you find this mark, look up. The heart shape is just above you (if you are tall, you might need to lower yourself a bit)!
During the cherry blossom season, the spot is easy to identify. There will be many people in front of it. Even if you weren’t’ aware of this natural attraction, those people will definitely make you curious about what they are taking photos of!
This was initially a hidden spot in Hirosaki Park up until the summer of 2014.
And if you aren’t good at finding things, here is the map to guide you (^_-)-☆.
The 500 Years Old Tree for Fans of the Anime “Demon Slayer” (鬼滅の刃)
If you love the anime “Demon Slayer”, you might want to visit this old tree called “Nezuko”. Yes, it has the same name as the main character’s little sister in the anime!
Hirosaki Park’s ground was originally a massive virgin forest with plenty more Nezuko trees. Together with the development of the city, it is said this tree might be the only Nezuko tree left in the Northern part of Japan in the future.
The tree is, therefore, precious to Aomori Prefecture and has been under good care for a long time. When students come to Hirosaki Garden on an excursion, they are told how valuable this tree is. The fact has not gained much attention from the audience until after the anime became a big hit. These days, the guides of the park can clearly see more excitement on the students’ faces (´▽`*).
To find this tree, find your way to the Hirosaki City Gardening Information Center (弘前市緑の相談所). The tree is just next to it (^_-)-☆.
Festivals at Hirosaki Park
Cherry Blossom Festival (弘前さくらまつり)
The Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival takes place from the 12th of April to the 5th of May in 2024.
For more information, please refer to the official website HERE! And, HERE is the Japanese official website.
Apparently, Hirosaki wasn’t always a city full of cherry blossom trees. The cherry blossom trees in the Park aren’t even native!
In 1715, samurais who were born in Hirosaki brought back 25 cherry blossom trees from Kyoto. This effort was continued in 1882 by Tatee Kikuchi, who planted 1,000 cherry blossom trees to make the city more lively. But some of those 1,000 saplings were uprooted because others thought the castle grounds should not be used as a place of entertainment.
The last major cherry blossom tree planting took place from 1901 – 1903 to celebrate the emperors’ wedding anniversary.
During the festival, the park will be lit up from 6:30 pm to 10 pm to extend the hours in which the cherry blossoms may be enjoyed (^_-)-☆.
Hirosaki Neputa Festival (弘前ねぷたまつり)
The Hirosaki Neputa Festival (ねぶた祭) is one of the “Three Great Festivals” of the Tohoku Region. This festival, which sees more than two million people coming to Aomori, is held from the 1st to the 7th of August each year.
Throughout the festival, parades of gigantic neputa lantern floats and folk art performances happen every day from morning to night.
For more information, please refer to the official website HERE (need to scroll down)!
Note that this festival does not take place at Hirosaki Park.
As we tourists are not in possession of Doraemon’s teleportation door, visit Neputa Village to see how spectacular the festival is!
For more information about the Neputa Village, please check out our article on Hirosaki HERE!
Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Foliage Festival (弘前城菊と紅葉まつり)
The festival, held from mid-October to early November each year, features several local folks performing on traditional instruments such as taiko drums and shamisen (a type of Japanese lute).
Whether it is during the day or night, you can enjoy the vibrant fall color at Hirosaki Castle and Hirosaki Park (and, of course, anywhere else in the city)!
In 2023, Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Foliage Festival will take place from the 27th of October to the 5th of November. For more information about the festival, please refer to the official website HERE!
From mid-September to mid-November, the park is lit up from sunset to 9 pm to extend the hours during which the vibrant autumn colors may be enjoyed (^_-)-☆.
Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival (弘前城雪燈籠まつり)
The Snow Lantern Festival, which takes place in mid-February, is the biggest event in Hirosaki’s winter since 1977.
During the festival, Hirosaki Park is filled with lanterns painted with warrior characters. Around the Lotus Pond moat, you will find more than 300 mini igloos that are lit up at night.
In 2024, Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival will take place from the 9th to the 12th of February.
There are also gigantic snow statues and sliding beds for kids to have fun (´▽`*).
From 6 pm each day, a projection show on the biggest snow statue will take place every 30 minutes (the last projection is at 8:30 pm).
And just like all festivals across the country, there are stalls selling food during the events – which is especially important to keep yourself warm!
For those who are keen to launch some sky lanterns (スカイランタン打ち上げ体験), make sure you head to the festival’s official website to sign up!
We will update this space when the details for the 2023 Snow Lantern Festival are out. For now, HERE is the link to sign up for the event for 2021. Hopefully, in 2023, we can sign up through the official English website as well (‘ω’)ノ.
Since 2011, Tsugaru-Nishiki-e Cloister has been added to the event program, enriching the whole event with local culture!
The park is open from 9 am to 9 pm during the snow festival. If you are just after night lights, go to the park after 4:30 pm!
For more information, please refer to the official website HERE.
How to Get to Hirosaki Castle/Park
- From JR Hirosaki Station (弘前駅), it is a 30-minute walk to the Park.
- You can also cut your travel time by taking a bus from Hirosaki Bus Terminal(弘前バスタミナール) in front of JR Hirosaki Station for 100 yen.
- Dotechō Junkan Bus (土手町循環バス) departs from bus stop no. 8 between 10 am and 6 pm from April to November every 10 minutes (10 am to 5 pm from December to March).
- You can either get off at Shiyakusho Mae (市役所前), Mutsu Shinpō Yashiromae (陸奥新報社前), or Bunka Sentā Mae (文化センター前).
- Refer to HERE for the service’s timetable in Japanese.
- If you don’t read Japanese, use one of Japan’s Transport Apps to plan your visit.
Tip: Refer to our How to Get to Hirosaki by Public Transport article to plan your visit to Hirosaki. You won’t regret reading it especially if you plan to visit Hirosaki for the cherry blossoms.
A List of JR Passes that Covers Aomori Prefecture
Below is a list of JR passes covering Aomori Prefecture and other regions. Please keep in mind that depending on your itinerary, a JR pass may or may not be worthwhile for your trip. You can estimate the transportation cost using one of Japan’s Transport Apps and compare the total price to a JR pass.
- JR Pass (7-Day, 14-Day, or 21-Day)
- JR EAST PASS(Tohoku area)/ 5 Days
- JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass (6 Days)
Where Else to Visit at Hirosaki?
It would be a waste if you only visit Hirosaki Park when you come to Hirosaki because there are so many other interesting attractions around the park!
Find out more of our other recommended spots around the park with our Hirosaki City article (≧▽≦).