Hirosaki Castle | Review by Norton Liang

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Hirosaki Castle

The only original castle tower in the Tohoku Region preserved to this day.

14 Oct 2026 See More

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.

Other Reviews by Norton Liang

The National Museum of Western Art

The museum is located in the lush Ueno Park and, as its name suggests, specializes in Western art. The museum is based on "the Matsukata Collection," which was donated and returned by the French government. The French art collection includes paintings by Impressionists such as Renoir, Van Gogh, Monet, and Picasso and sculptures by Rodin.
- Ueno, Nippori
- Museums
4 Nov 2026 See More

In Japan, the incorporation of Western literary figures or meanings into architectural design stems from the active adoption of Western culture during Japan’s modernization period (the Meiji and Taisho eras), as well as the integration of international architectural styles after the war. This fusion sometimes takes the form of direct decorative references and sometimes a deeper translation of spatial concepts.
Classic sculptures in the forecourt of The National Museum of Western Art in Ueno
1. #Rodin’s The Gates of Hell
Literary source: Dante’s Divine Comedy, Inferno
2. French master sculptor **Emile-
Antoine Bourdelle (a former assistant to Rodin)**, Hercules the Archer
HerculestheArcher)
: Depicts the Greek mythological hero Heracles shooting monstrous birds.
Incidentally, being able to see works by both master and student echoing each other in the museum forecourt is an artistic scene in Ueno that is well worth stopping to appreciate.
◎Also located in Ueno Park, in the sunken pool (a moat-shaped landscape feature) at #Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, directly across from The National Museum of Western Art.
3. A work by the renowned American female sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington (1876-1973), #Diana (Diana
Mythological background: Diana (Roman mythology: Diana/Greek mythology:
#Artemis) is the goddess of the moon and the hunt, as well as the guardian of chastity and forests
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo - The Making of Harry Potter

This entirely new walk-through attraction lets you experience how the "Harry Potter" and "Fantastic Beasts" films were made. It is the first of its kind in Asia and the largest indoor Harry Potter attraction in the world.
- Nakano, Koenji, Ogikubo, Nerima
- Amusement Parks & Theme parks
4 Nov 2026 See More

The studio has faithfully recreated classic sets and props from the movies, making visitors feel as if they’ve stepped into the magical world.
As soon as you enter, you’ll be drawn to
🪄Hogwarts Great Hall
The huge dining hall, with banners from all four houses hanging overhead, recreates the classic entrance ceremony and banquet🥳 So captivating🤩 You have to pretend you’re a student at the Ministry of Magic and dine there🍽️ to experience it!

I thought it would be boring🥱 but it turned out to be a huge wave of nostalgia.
The adults were having even more fun than the kids😚
It’s not just the gift shop that’s appealing.
There’s also:

🪄The Hogwarts Express and Platform 9¾
🪄Diagon Alley
🪄🌳The Forbidden Forest: The lighting and set design create a great atmosphere. This area is exclusive to Tokyo and can’t be seen in London;

🧙♀️Unique interactive experiences🧙🏻

🪄Quidditch experience
🪄Green screen flying experience
🪄Moving portraits and more,

There’s also the world’s largest Harry Potter store, offering more than 7,000 items, including clothing, wands, and magical props. Many items can be customized.

The transit stations around the studio are also filled with a magical atmosphere.
Toshimaen Station: The platforms at Seibu Railway’s Ikebukuro and Toshimaen stations have been specially renovated to create a strong Harry Potter theme, making them perfect for taking commemorative photos.
Snow Peak LAND STATION TOKYO

Located in "KITTE," a commercial facility just steps away from JR Tokyo Station, Japan's largest terminal station, this is the flagship store of the popular outdoor brand "Snow Peak."
- Tokyo Station, Nihonbashi, Marunouchi
- Miscellaneous Goods
1 Nov 2026 See More

Snow Peak camping⛺️ and outdoor fans have to make a pilgrimage here. The Snow Peak Cafe next door is also packed with Japanese locals dining there🍽️ The curry🍛 was unexpectedly😳 delicious😋—what a surprise! After getting tired from shopping, it’s very relaxing to have a meal and a cup of coffee here😎 The Onitsuka Tiger store in the same building has a glass window where you can photograph Tokyo Station from a different angle.
Highly recommended—a lesser-known spot.