Hirosaki Park

Hirosaki Park was built at the site of Hirosaki Castle which was constructed in Edo period. It serves as a symbol of Hirosaki city. The site of Hirosaki Castle that has the castle tower, the turrets and the castle gates is a nationally designated historic site while most buildings are national important cultural properties. In Japan, we don’t have many public parks like Hirosaki Park which has such a massive scale of castle architecture retaining its original features along with its ruins. This extensive park which is 492,000 ㎡ has the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival in spring, Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Foliage Festival in autumn, and Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival in winter. This park offers various seasonal enjoyments throughout the year.

(Source: skipinof / PIXTA(ピクスタ) )

Site of Hirosaki Castle

The castle tower and the turrets of Hirosaki Castle built in the Edo period are preserved in the park and are national important cultural properties. Whereas the site of the castle is a nationally designated historic site. It is under repair for preservation purposes from 2015 to 2023. The inside of the castle tower is still open to public (admission 310 yen).

(Source: skipinof / PIXTA(ピクスタ))

Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival has a solid reputation of being the best in Japan

Hirosaki Park is known as the best cherry blossom viewing spot in Japan. About 2,600 cherry trees including Somei-yoshino and weeping cherries in the park start blooming around the end of April every year. The cherry trees make a flower tunnel along the West Moat. The view of cherry blossoms lit up at night is gorgeous. Over 2,000,000 people visit the park during Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival.

(Source: genki / PIXTA(ピクスタ) )

Castle and Cherry Blossoms Lit Up in the Dark Night

The castle and cherry blossoms are lit up beautifully during Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival. The view of the cherry blossoms in full bloom is reflected on the surface of the water in the moat. Enjoy the wonderful view of cherry blossoms at night.

Magical View of Autumn Foliage

You can’t miss the autumn foliage in Hirosaki Park. 1,000 maple trees and 2,600 cherry trees in the park change the colors of their leaves to beautiful red and yellow in autumn. Those trees are lit up during the Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Foliage Festival. You can see the fantastical view of autumn foliage reflected on the surface of water.

(Source: taka / PIXTA(ピクスタ))

Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival

Hirosaki Castle is also amazing in winter. 200 snow lanterns in various sizes, snow sculptures, miniature igloos and a large snow slide appear in the park during Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival. It offers superb interactive activities with snow which is way better than just watching.

(Source: kudo / PIXTA(ピクスタ) )

Cherry Blossom Viewing from the Boat

You can take a boat from the West moat during Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival. The path along both sides of the moat is lined with cherry trees that makes you feel like you are boating in the cherry blossoms. The beautiful cherry blossoms seem even nicer viewed from the boat.

(Source: taka / PIXTA(ピクスタ) )

Starbucks at Hirosakikoen-mae

The building was originally built in 1917 as an official residence for a former eighth division commander and is designated as national tangible cultural property. It has been renovated to be a Starbucks cafe. It is a retro and tasteful space that retains the beauty of the original building. Please drop as it conveniently located in front of the station.

(Source: Twitter)

Address

1 Shimoshiroganecho, Hirosaki-shi, Aomori

View in Google Maps

Contact No.

+81-172-33-8739

Access

From JR Hirosaki station, take the 100 yen circular route city bus. Ride for 18 minutes and get off at the bus stop Mutsu Shinpo-mae. Walk for a few min or take the same bus and ride for 20 minutes, get off at the bus stop Shiyakusho-mae followed by a short walk.