Hirosaki: History, Gardens and Apple Culture

There are several ways to explore Hirosaki: historic buildings and cultural properties, landscaped gardens and apple culture. The castle complex and former city library reveal different aspects of architectural history, while the gardens and Hirosaki City Apple Park draw attention to landscape design and agriculture. These highlights help you understand the character of the destination and decide what to focus on during your stay.

Historic Buildings and Cultural Properties

Hirosaki Castle largely retains its original form and was designated a national historic site in 1952. The keep, three turrets and five castle gates have been preserved, and all are designated Important Cultural Properties. The castle complex’s historic status and its individual preserved structures thus stand side by side.

The former Hirosaki City Library was built in 1906 as a commemorative structure marking the victory in the Russo-Japanese War and served as the city library until 1931. The three-story wooden building is plastered with mortar, designed in the Renaissance style and has two octagonal towers. At the same time, it features Japanese design elements, including kibana wood carvings of the kind also found in temple architecture. Its predominantly Renaissance style and these carvings give the building a distinctive blend of design elements.

At Chōshō-ji Temple, too, history and individual structures are closely connected. The temple was moved to its present location in 1610, along with the relocation of the Tsugaru family’s castles. Designated Important Cultural Properties include the Sanmon gate, the main hall and service buildings, as well as a hall containing a wooden statue of Tsugaru Tamenobu and the mausoleums of former feudal lords and their wives.

Hirosaki Ninja House is a preserved Kōga ninja residence from the late Edo period. It was not the home of a ninja family, but a base where the Hirosaki Domain’s ninja group, known as Hayamichi-no-mono, primarily exchanged information. A different historical perspective is offered by the former Sasamori House, considered the oldest preserved samurai residence in Hirosaki City’s district for the preservation of traditional buildings. A reference from 1756 confirms its existence.

Gardens and Landscape

The lower section of Fujita Memorial Garden features a pond garden in the kaiyū style. Its features include clusters of irises and azaleas, a waterfall and a Yatsu bridge. A different gardening tradition takes center stage at Yōkōen: the garden is characteristic of Tsugaru and is designed in the Ōishi-Bugaku style. It is designated a nationally registered cultural property. The garden also includes the Yōkō-an teahouse, which is designated a municipal cultural property.

Hirosaki Park combines its plant collection with a specific variety of cherry trees: around 2,600 trees from 52 varieties bloom there, including mainly Somei-Yoshino, as well as weeping cherry trees and double-blossomed cherry trees. The figures for the number of trees and varieties may change over time. In Hirosaki City Apple Park, an artificial hill stands at an elevation of 83 meters. From there, a 360-degree panorama takes in Mount Iwaki, the Shirakami Mountains and other prominent mountains in the Tsugaru region. The gardens and park landscape offer different highlights: one features water and plants, while the other opens up views of the mountains.

Apple Culture at Hirosaki City Apple Park

Hirosaki City Apple Park offers information about apple varieties, the history of apples and the steps involved in growing them through to harvest. Displays and models, as well as a video area, help explain the subject. The historic farmhouse features agricultural tools from the period and introduces pioneers of apple cultivation. The exhibits cover everything from the development of apple growing to the practical steps involved in harvesting.

Stories told in the Tsugaru dialect are also part of the seasonal program at the historic farmhouse; they take place on weekends and public holidays from April through November. If you would like to include these stories in your travel plans, check the dates in advance. A small cider press in the park makes cider from locally grown apples through natural fermentation. Alongside the history and cultivation of apples, visitors can also learn about how locally grown apples are processed.

These themes complement one another without being interchangeable: the castle, temple, and historic residential and functional buildings bring different chapters of architectural and local history to life; the gardens showcase different approaches to design, while Apple Park focuses on cultivation and processing. On your trip to Hirosaki, you can choose the focus that interests you most.

Discover more destinations: Aomori, Mutsu, Akabonai, Hashikami, Goshogawara, Hachinohe, Oma, Owani

For the main travel overview: Aomori Prefecture.