During the Edo Period, Hirosaki was the political and cultural capital of the Tsugaru Region, the western section of present day Aomori Prefecture. The city remains one of the culturally richest cities in the northern Tohoku Region. Hirosaki developed around its castle, Hirosaki Castle. Several thousand cherry trees are planted around the castle grounds, making it one of Japan's most famous cherry blossom spots. The trees are usually in bloom in late April to early May.
Hirosaki Castle (弘前城, Hirosaki-jō) is a 17th century Japanese castle located in Hirosaki city, Aomori prefecture, Japan. It was constructed in 1611 by the local Tsugaru clan. A three-storied castle tower, fortified moats, castle gates and some corner turrets (yagura) survive or have been reconstructed. The surrounding Hirosaki Park is one of Japan's most famous cherry blossom spots. Over a million people enjoy the park's 2600 trees during the sakura matsuri (cherry blossom festival) when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, usually during the Japanese Golden Week holidays in the end of April and beginning of May. There are many famous festivals in Hirosaki through out the year.
Sakura-matsuri festival
From end April through the beginning of May
Cherry trees of about 2,500 in the Hirosaki Park come into bloom all at this time, which is known as Japan's No.1 Cherry blossom festival. You can enjoy nice contrast of full light up illuminated old castle tower and shiny pink colored tunnel of cherry blossoms in the night time.
Hirosaki Neputa-matsuri festival
August 1st through August 7th
Hirosaki Neputa-matsuri festival is designated as the important intangible folk cultural heritage of Japan. The festival folk music the "Naputa Bayashi" is configured by rallying cry of festival parishioners and other music instruments such as drums, flutes and gongs that inspires soul to Neputa paper floats in the festival, and get the blood of Tsugaru region folks to bolster up.
Autumn - Chrysanthemum and colored maple leaves festival at Hirosaki Castle garden
From end October through early November
The festival is held in the Hirosaki Castle Botanic Garden in a part of the Hirosaki Park where is decollated by fresh green leaves of pine tree and colored leaves of maple trees of the old castle. You can enjoy watching beautiful sceneries with Chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum-flower dolls and other autumn flowers in the garden.
Winter - Hirosaki Castle Snow lantern festival Beginning of February
Snow made lanterns and statues from gigantic size to smaller one in total about 500 pieces are exhibited in the garden. Fantastic and dreamy world appears when flaring candle light appears in the gathering darkness. Scenery of light up old Hirosaki Castle and snow shining mini-Igloos and snow statues take you to fantasy dreamy world.
With so many exciting festivals through out the year, Hirosaki is a must see city while traveling in the Tohoku region.
This is a fantastic area. I was station there while in the Navy for 4 yrs. I got to know the area very well and have many fond memories. I yearn to go back for a visit some day and see what changes have taken place since I left 2o yrs ago.
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