Hirosaki Castle
Japan's best-preserved original wooden castle keep, encircled by 2,600 cherry trees that transform the moat into a pink tunnel each spring. One of only twelve original castles remaining in Japan.
2–3 hours
¥320
9:00–17:00 (Apr 1–Nov 23); 7:00–21:00 during cherry festival (late Apr–early May); park free and open in winter (Nov 24–Mar 31).
Late April–May (cherry); October–November (autumn maple)
Bus from Hirosaki Station (15 min)
Location
Why Visit
- 1
The outer moat fills with fallen petals each late April — the "flower raft" scene is world-famous
- 2
Tsugaru apple orchards surround the city; the castle park has apple trees pruned by 100-year-old technique
- 3
Three concentric moats remain intact — you cross them one by one to reach the keep
- 4
The Neputa Festival in August fills the streets with giant illuminated floats
Local Tips
Hirosaki is Japan's finest cherry blossom castle — the moat fills with fallen petals (hanaikada) in late April, creating a pink carpet of blooms. The castle is currently on a moving platform being repositioned; the stone base restoration is a spectacle in itself. Snow season (Jan–Mar) transforms the park into a serene white landscape.
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