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The only surviving original castle keep in the Tohoku region.
Hirosaki Castle served as the residence of the Tsugaru clan and the administrative center of the Hirosaki Domain during the Edo period. Following an order to abolish castles in the Meiji period, it was preserved and later opened to the public as Hirosaki Park. The original castle keep was destroyed by a lightning-induced fire in 1627. The keep rebuilt in 1810, along with three turrets and five castle gates, remains standing today. These nine structures are designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan.
Hirosaki Park is one of Japan’s best-known cherry blossom destinations and is often said to be the finest in the country. Every year, large numbers of visitors attend the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival, held from late April to early May. In addition to Hirosaki Castle surrounded by cherry blossoms, the flower petals carpeting the moat resemble a kimono sash and create a photogenic scene. The Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival is held in fall, while the Snow Lantern Festival takes place in winter. Together with the Neputa Festival in summer, these events offer a variety of seasonal scenery throughout the year.
In 2015, the relocation of the castle keep itself to allow repairs to the stone walls attracted considerable attention. Work is currently underway to move the keep back to its original position, after which preservation repairs and seismic reinforcement are also planned. For this reason, the interior of the castle keep will be closed to the public from November 24, 2025, until further notice, although visitors will still be able to view its exterior. This is an opportunity to see the castle in a form only possible during the construction period.
Hirosaki Castle’s three-story keep. Mount Iwaki can be seen from the castle’s main enclosure. ©Hirosaki City
Surrounded by colorful cherry blossoms. ©Hirosaki City
Beautiful fall foliage. ©Hirosaki City
Hirosaki Castle after the keep was relocated. ©Hirosaki City
The park is illuminated during the Snow Lantern Festival, shown here with the Tsugaru Nishiki-e Grand Corridor. ©Hirosaki City
Hirosaki Castle and cherry blossoms at night, with the trees along the West Moat in full bloom.
Some reviews are AI-translated.
Hirosaki Park (Hirosaki Castle), located in Aomori Prefecture, Japan, is one of Japan’s most famous cherry blossom viewing spots, known for its beautiful combination of a magnificent historic castle and a sea of pink blossoms.
Highlights and Features
• Cherry blossoms: The park has more than 2,600 cherry trees of approximately 52 varieties, including Japan’s oldest Somei Yoshino cherry tree, planted in 1882, as well as trees over 100 years old.
• Major event: The Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival is held every spring (from April 10 to May 5 in 2026).
• Three must-see sights:
• Cherry Blossom Tunnel along the West Moat: You can stroll or ride in a rowboat beneath the soft pink canopy of cherry blossoms.
• Illuminated cherry blossoms at night: After dark, the castle keep and cherry blossoms are illuminated, creating a dreamlike scene.
• Pink petal rafts: Fallen cherry blossom petals cover the surface of the outer moat, forming a spectacular “cherry blossom carpet.”
• Admission and hours:
• Hirosaki Castle (Honmaru and Kita no Kuruwa): Adults JPY 320, children JPY 100.
• Hours: Usually 9:00–17:00; during the Cherry Blossom Festival, 7:00–21:00.
Getting There
• Public transportation: From JR Hirosaki Station, take the Hirosaki City JPY 100 Loop Bus and get off at Shiyakusho-mae. It is about a 4-minute walk from there.
A must-visit spot on any cherry blossom trip to Japan, and the top one among the three best cherry blossom viewing spots!
No matter if it's cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, or snow, it's always beautiful here. Definitely worth a visit.
I visited Hirosaki Park in early November 2025, mainly because I wanted to see Hirosaki Castle before the keep closed for renovations.
It happened to be peak fall foliage season, and the autumn leaves with the scenery of Hirosaki Park were absolutely beautiful.
This is one of the most famous cherry blossom spots in Tohoku and is even considered one of Japan's top three places for sakura viewing. The moat gets covered with beautiful cherry blossom petals—it's honestly one of the most stunning sights at Hirosaki Castle.
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