When is the best time to visit Hirosaki? While this Aomori gem is world-famous for its late-April cherry blossoms, every season offers a distinct reason to explore. From the spectacular “Sakura Carpet” at Hirosaki Castle and the summer energy of the Neputa Festival to the crisp autumn apple harvests and the magical Winter Snow Lantern Festival, Hirosaki is a true year-round destination. Whether you’re a photographer chasing the perfect pink bloom or a foodie seeking Japan’s best apples, this guide to Hirosaki’s seasonal highlights will help you pick the perfect month for your northern adventure.
The people living in Hirosaki must have a great mind for business. Each season, at least one major festival attracts 200,000 or more people to enjoy what Hirosaki has to offer. Those cherry blossom trees, and the trees that produce a vibrant autumn color weren’t just planted overnight.
You will surely be amazed by how grand each festival is!
Spring at Hirosaki
With the number of tourists coming to Hirosaki for the Cherry Blossom Festival (弘前さくらまつり) and the jam-packed hotels in the city, it goes without saying that mid-April to early May is one of the best times to visit this beautiful city.
The Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival will take place from the April 17 to May 5 in 2026. For more information, please refer to the official website HERE.
Apart from the cherry blossom, if you dislike the heat in summer and the cold in winter, visiting Hirosaki in spring can be a great idea with mild temperatures and mostly sunny weather (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
Summer at Hirosaki
Although you might think Hirosaki is a great place to escape from the summer heat due to its high latitude, this is definitely NOT the case!
While the average summer temperature doesn’t exceed 30 degrees, that is the “average” of the past how many years… The earth is warming up, and the city’s temperature can now easily exceed 30 degrees on a sunny day without issue.
So, what do we come to Hirosaki for in the summer? For its famous Hirosaki Neputa Festival from August 1 to 7 each year!
All the illuminated floats paraded at night during the 7-day festival have Japanese folk-tale characters drawn on them. The gigantic taiko drums are also a highlight of the festival!
For more information, please refer to the official website HERE!
Autumn at Hirosaki
You can hardly find a spot in Japan that isn’t beautiful in autumn. In Hirosaki, the highlight is the Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum And Autumn Foliage Festival (弘前城菊と紅葉まつり)!
The festival, held from late 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 during the day or at night, you can enjoy the vibrant autumn color at Hirosaki Castle and Hirosaki Park (and, of course, anywhere else in the city)!
In 2025, Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Foliage Festival will take place from the October 31 to November 9. For more information about the festival, please refer to the official website HERE!
Winter at Hirosaki
You will see lots of snow if you visit Hirosaki in winter. Whiteouts can occur during a heavy snow day, which can be quite fascinating if you come from a place that doesn’t snow. In fact, there really are tourists who come to Hirosaki hoping to experience this weather condition!
If you happen to be traveling in mid-February, the Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival (弘前城雪燈籠まつり) is waiting for you (*’▽’). But please make sure you bring enough clothes with you unless you want to buy some heat-tech innerwear from Uniqlo – which isn’t a bad idea either (^_-)-☆.
In 2026, Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival took place from the February 6 to 11. For more information about the festival, please refer to the official website HERE!
Discover the Things to Do in Hirosaki
Now you know when is the best time to visit Hirosaki, it is time to discover the attractions in the city and form your unique itinerary! As the cultural heart of Aomori Prefecture and Japan’s undisputed cherry blossom capital, this historic castle town offers a perfect blend of feudal history, stunning botanical gardens, and unique Western-style architecture.
So refer to our Hirosaki City article for all the Hirosaki attractions that we recommend!
