Sakura Viewing Spots③ Hirosaki Castle
Sakura Festival :3, Hirosaki Castle Site Park(弘前城)
Hirosaki Park encompasses Hirosaki Castle, which is located in the castle town of the former Tsugaru Domain. In the early Meiji period, the feudal lord planted approximately 26,000 cherry trees, mainly of the Somei-Yoshino variety.
Today, you can see one of the oldest Somei-Yoshino trees in Japan, with a trunk circumference of 5.15 meters.
The Hirosaki Park Sakura Festival is held every year from late April to early May. During the festival, you can also enjoy a special Nebuta parade, a shamisen music competition featuring nostalgic melodies, and other events. Unfortunately, Yu-pon hasn’t been there, even though it’s known as one of the three most famous hanami spots in Japan.
Aomori Prefecture is located in the northern part of Honshu Island.
Because of its northern location, cherry blossoms in Hirosaki bloom almost a month later than in areas further south. Many sakura enthusiasts from outside the Tohoku region have already enjoyed hanami by late April, and until the opening of the Shinkansen line to Aomori in 2010, Hirosaki was not easily accessible.
There are only a few accommodations available during the Hanami Festival.
If you’re interested in cherry blossoms but weren’t in Japan during March or April, you still have a great chance to enjoy hanami in May in regions like Tohoku and Hokkaido.
The Hirosaki Sakura Festival is the final major hanami event of the season on Honshu. After that, you can head to Hokkaido.
Access
| Name; | Hirosaki Castle Site Park |
| Place; | 1 Shimoshiroganecho Hirosaki-shi Aomori Prefecture |
| Access; | from Tokyo station to Shinaomori station 3h20min by Shinkansen, change to super express Tugaru to Hirosaki 30min, walking 30min or taxi 10min or Kounan bus 15min for the Castle |
| By air; | from Haneda to Aomori Airport 1h15min, bus 55min to Hirosaki JR station |
| more; | There are many tour bus in season 9h from Tokyo |
