The city of Hirosaki in Aomori

Another great travel spot in the Tohoku region has to be the city of Hirosaki in Aomori-ken.

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.

Towada-Hachimantai National Park

One of the best sightseeing places in Iwate-ken is Towada-Hachimantai National Park. The Towada-Hachimantai National Park, at the Northern tip of Honshu, is divided into two separate sections. The Northern Section includes the area around Lake Towada, while the southern section consists of the Hachimantai Plateau, with Mounts Iwate, Nyuto and Koma. The Natural beauty of these regions, with their magnificent forests, crystal clear lakes and volcanic cones is still largely untouched.

Lake Towada is the largest caldera lake in Honshu island of Japan. Located on the border betwwen Aomori and Akita prefectures, it lies 400 meters above sea level and is 327 meters in depth. With a surface area of 62.2km squared, Towada is Japan`s 12th largest lake. This lake is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan.

Towada lake is situated in the crater of an extinct volcano and as a result is surrounded by small mountaions. These mountains make for some great overhead shots of the lake, but there are also trails that go around the entire lake if your up for some hiking. While the lake is beautiful be sure not to miss out on Oirase stream.

The Oirase Stream is a beautiful stream and just can`t be missed. Starting from Towadako the stream runs for about 10km and is easy accessibleby car. During the autumn months, Oirase Stream comes alive with visitors who come to view its beautiful foloages. This is also the time

when the area can be congested with visitors. However, if you start the day early, you`ll be one of the early birds to catch the amazing scenery Oirase straem has to offer.

The southern section of Towada-Hachimantai Park consisted of the Hachimantai Plateau, with views of Iwate, Nyuto and Koma Mountains. Hachimantai is a plateau-like volcanic terrace, 1,400-1,600 meters above sea level, extending over Iwate Prefecture and Akita Prefecture in the west, and is a part of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park. A swamp near the top of Hachimantai is a treasure trove of over 160 kinds of alpine and swamp plants, and visitors can enjoy the mizubasho (Japanese skunk cabbage) and nikko-kisuge (yellow alpine lilies) in full bloom from spring through autumn. The beech forest also contains the radiant emerald green Hachiman-numa Marsh as well as Gama-numa Marsh and Kagami-numa Marsh.

If traveling to the Tohoku region of Japan the Towada-Hachimantai National Park is a site that truly can` be missed.

                                                                       

Introduction to Iwate-ken Japan

Today we will be focusing on one of the many prefectures of the Tohoku area Iwate-ken.

Iwate was historically part of the Mutsu province. it was brought into the Japanese empire around 800A.D.

 Iwate faces the Pacific Ocean to the east and is bordered by Aomori to the north, Akita to the west and Miyagi to the south. This area is a vast mountainous region and the Kitakami River running through the center of the prefecture.

The Capital of the area is a city named Morioka 盛岡市.

This is a city filled with beautiful scenery and great travel and sight seeing. here are Some of the most famous and must see attractions in Morioka. Just a short walk from Morioka Jr station is Iwate park, the former site of Morioka Castle and the seat of the Nambu clan during the edo era. The castle was built in 1633 A.D. but after year of war and vicious battles all that remains are ancient granite walls.

The park also contains the Sakurayamam shine and the rock-splitting cherry tree. A cherry tree that is approximately 400 years old growing out of a granite boulder in front of the district courthouse.   

Morioka like most of Japan is also famous for natural hot springs also known as an onsen 温泉. About 40 kilometers south of Morioka is pssibly one of the oldest and most famous hot springs in the Tohoku area the Dogo onsen. Please remember that Dogo Onsen not only refers to the hot spring but the entire town. The Dogo onsen bathhouse is set in a large, traditional Japanese house and offer many different experiences depending on how much you willing to spend. Some basics rules and tips for entering a Japanese hot spring. Onsens are public baths with water sourced from natural volcanic hot springs. Make sure to bring your favorite soap, shampoo, a wash cloth and a towel. Most onsens provide towels, soap, shampoo, towles and lockers for your vaulables.

The most important rule and one you will appreciate, is the baths are only used for soaking, not cleaning.

All onsens will have a area for you to wash and rinse before you enter the bath. Most onsens have many pools ranging from ice cold to piping hot. This is one thing no tourist should miss out on while in Japan and I truly promise you will love it.