Hirosaki



Hirosaki (弘前) is a city in Aomori prefecture, in the northern Tohoku region of the main Japanese island Honshu.

Understand
Hirosaki was the capital of the Tsugaru clan that once ruled over much of Tohoku's northern parts. Occasionally called "the Kyoto of the North", this hyperbole is backed up mostly by an abundance of temples, a castle's remains, and a famous version of the Nebuta Festival, called the Neputa Festival in Hirosaki.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a multilingual guide site.

By plane
The closest airport is in Aomori.

By train
Hirosaki is on the JR Ōu Main Line (奥羽本線) connecting Aomori, Akita and Fukushima.

From Tokyo Station, take the Tohoku Shinkansen Hayate or Hayabusa train to Shin-Aomori, then change to the Tsugaru Limited Express train or a Local Ou Main Line train bound for Akita/Odate. The trip takes 4 hours 15 minutes at a cost of ¥16,700. There is also a seasonal "Resort Shirakami" train connecting Akita and Aomori via the Gono line that makes a stop here. If you are coming in from Akita, unless you are taking the Resort Shirakami train for the view, it is far quicker to take the Tsugaru train. For foreign tourists heading from Tokyo, the better deal is to purchase a JR East Rail Pass or the national Japan Rail Pass.

Local trains from Aomori depart once per hour and take about 45 minutes (¥650). There are also additional Rapid trains at the same price during rush hour.

Get around
Hirosaki is fairly spread out and you will need to figure out the bus system to get around affordably. Most lines radiate from JR Hirosaki station.

See








Do


The local cherry blossom festival is also a sight to see. With over 5,000 cherry trees in the park around the castle. The locals and tourists find it an enjoyable festival of laughing, singing, dancing and drinking.

The snow lantern festival is held during early February every year. During the festival, Hirosaki Castle Park is filled with snow lanterns and sculptures which are illuminated during the evenings.

Eat
Hirosaki is Japan's leading producer of apples, introduced to the city in 1875 by John Inge, an American teacher working at a local school.



Drink
If you happen to be near the expansive apple orchards, the local apple juice is also a delectable, tantalizing taste for the tongue.

Connect
Drop into the Hirosaki Tourist Information Center at Otemon Square for useful maps and information.

Go next

 * Shirakami-Sanchi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its undisturbed beech forests and waterfalls, is under an hour away.
 * Aomori
 * Inakadate
 * Goshogawara
 * Tsugaru
 * Nishimeya
 * Hirakawa
 * Owani
 * Odate