Japan is full of breathtaking places, always ready to amaze with its culture and beauty. If you’ve already visited Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka, and other well-known destinations, and you’re wondering where to go on your next trip to the “Land of the Rising Sun”, exploring Aomori Prefecture in northern Japan might surprise you.
I’m currently on a cultural exchange program and have been in Japan for two months now, I’m in fact studying at Hirosaki University. Before this experience, I had never heard of this city, but now that I live here, I wonder why it is so little known. Despite not being a small city, it’s peaceful, and up to now it is still free from overtourism, so that visitors can enjoy in peace what the city has to offer.
If you find yourself in this beautiful city, you cannot miss its magnificent castle! Hirosaki Castle is one of the main tourist attractions in Aomori Prefecture, if not in the entire northern area of Japan. As one of the few Japanese castles that have not been reconstructed in modern times, Hirosaki Castle (弘前城) is a monument to the country’s historical architecture. Built during the Edo period (1603-1867), it has been listed by the Japan Castle foundation as one of the “100 Most Beautiful Castles in Japan”! And seeing it in person will leave no doubt as to why.
The gardens surrounding the castle make up Hirosaki Park (弘前公園), renowned as one of the best places in Japan to view cherry blossoms. There are over 2,600 Sakura trees here, blooming spectacularly during the Cherry Blossom Festival (桜まつり: sakura matsuri). If you visit Aomori during spring, around late April, this breathtaking spectacle is an absolute must-see!
The trees are adorned with delicate pink blossoms, and you’ll walk on a carpet of cherry petals—a perfect setting for a romantic date! Moreover, a hidden spot in Hirosaki Park, that’s just recently gaining fame on social media, features two cherry trees whose branches overlap to form a heart shape in the sky.
However, it’s not just spring that makes this park so special. In every season, it captivates visitors with its stunningly colourful landscapes, shifting from pink to red and yellow, then white, and finally green. Each season is uniquely beautiful, and Hirosaki Park showcases nature’s extraordinary charm all year round.
I had the privilege of strolling through Hirosaki Park surrounded by the colours of autumn, wrapped in warm shades of yellow and red leaves. From November 1 to 10, the菊と紅葉まつり, (Chrysanthemum and Autumn Foliage Festival) took place, celebrating the vibrant red leaves of the momiji (maple trees), which create a mesmerizing red mantle that followed me as I walked through the park.
During the festival, various events were organized, and small booths sold lots of street food, both sweet and savoury. The karaage (唐揚げ) with mayo was so good thaT I returned the next day just to buy another one. Eating while enjoying such an amazing landscape is a rare opportunity!
During the festival, before getting dark, the park was bustling with families and friend groups, enjoying the scenery and each other’s company.
But the real magic happened at night, when the entire park lit up, further highlighting the fiery-coloured trees. Suddenly, I felt like I ended up in a fairy tale, gazing at an enchanted garden!
I can’t wait to see how Hirosaki Park will transform this winter, when the stunning Momiji will lose their red leaves and will be covered in white snow, inaugurating the arrival of the new season.
How to get here:
The park is easily accessible from Hirosaki Station! It is about a 30-minute walk away, but it is also possible to get a bus till Shiyakusho-mae stop and arrive in 15 minutes!
When to go?
The park can be visited h24, but the castle is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., check out the dates of festivals and various event!