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Hirosaki City - The Original Castle Keep
Hirosaki has many attractions, such as the thousands of ancient cherry trees, surrounding the castle and is Japan’s biggest apple producer.
There are about 50 apple-pie restaurants.
Hirosaki grew up around its castle, protected by Shinto Shrines to the north and Buddhism temples to the south-west.
Come with me and I'll share my extensive knowledge about the city and make this a memorable experience!
Meeting Point
At the Aomori Station or Your Hotel Lobby
At Aomori station or You Hotel Lobby
We will initially meet at 9AM at either Aomori Station or Your Hotel Lobby then we will take the taxi (or other agreed upon method of transportation) to Hirosaki City
Hirosaki Castle Park
Completed in 1611, the castle was occupied by generations of the Tsugaru clan. The castle keep was rebuilt in 1810 and has now been turned into a small historical museum.
It dominates the 121-acre / 49ha public park, which is very famous throughout Japan for the flowering of its 2,600 cherry trees, from the end of April to mid-May.
The botanical gardens in the park are worth strolling through to see the many styles of garden in different seasons.
Neputa - Mura Village
Let's experience Hirosaki's unique summer time festival within the Neputa-Mura Village!
Here you will see:
Neputa Float: Containing some of the highly decorative festival floats with illuminated screens or gigantic fans used during the Famous Hirosaki festival, the Neputa Matsuri Festival.
Did you know that the word neputa derives from nepute or “drowsiness” in the local dialect? This allegedly refers to the farmer’s custom of placing giant lanterns along the riverbank in order to keep them awake when they were returning home from a hard days work.
The museum also offers free live performances featuring:
● Shamisen: Japanese traditional 3 stringed musical guitar.
● Neputa Festival Music where you can try hitting the gigantic drums
*The following are NOT included in the fee:
●Lunch and Shopping: Ramen and others (Aomori Ramen-dried sardine-based soup, Sushi, Tempura (Mountain vegetables).
●Aomori Specialties (varieties of crafts, cake and others)
●Workshops: wooden dolls, pottery, locale ware.
Fujita Garden OR Zenrin Temple OR Nakacho Samurai Houses
You can ONE choose amongst the following:
*Fujita Kinen Teien - Garden
In its 26,312 sq yd / 22,000sq m area, you will find a Japanese house with a floor made from Yakusugi (ancient pines), archeological hall, a tea ceremony pavilion.
A somber Taisho-era dwelling with a magnificent veranda.
The garden also features a café - the apple pie here is best!
*Entrance fee is 320yen
**Attending the tea ceremony with some sweets fee is 1000yen per person
***Attending the handcraft workshop has an additional fee that changes per event; fees are generally around 300-2000yen - please ask for what the current event is!
OR
*Zenrin-Gai
Thirty - three Zen temples flanks this peaceful “Buddhist way “leading to the Tsugaru family temple of Chosho - ji, containing 500 small statues of the disciples of Buddha.
*There is NO additional fee required
OR
*Nakacho Historic Quarter - Samurai Houses
The people who served the Daimyo (King of local districts in Japan), lived in this district.
Several houses are open to visitors. The Iwata House shows how a Samurai family would have lived at the time (16c- 19c) around 400 years ago.
*Ninja house is near this district
**There is NO additional fee required
Return to Aomori Station or Your Hotel Lobby
We will take the taxi (or agreed upon method of transportation) back to either your hotel lobby or Aomori Station
Ending Point
At the Aomori Station or Your Hotel Lobby
Want to personalize this tour?
- Our tours can be customized according to your needs and preferences
- Click below to tell us what you are looking for:
Inclusions & Exclusions
Tour Guiding Fee
All events mentioned in the itinerary (museum fee, apple picking fee, restaurants, hot springs, etc.)
Food costs
Taxi/Transportation fee
Tour Important Information
We will be traveling a lot around the castle, garden, temple, shrine - you will feel refreshed afterwards.
If you do not see the tour which you are looking for or want to add or subtract something, let me know what you want to do and where you go soon!
Very welcome in always!
• Market opens usually at 10 am, so you cannot visit before then.
• This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
• Several places we will visit do not accept credit cards, so please bring cash.
Hirosaki is nicknamed the Kyoto of Northern Japan, here you will experience true Japanese culture without the overwhelming tour groups.
Upon approaching the castle, you will experience the botanical gardens leading up to the picturesque castle.
When you are in the area, you can feel the Edo atmosphere and imagine walking amongst the samurai.
Afterwards, wake yourself from the dreamy feeling when visiting the Neputa-Mura Village and be empowered by the festival music from the drums and flutes. Let's enjoy some sake while you're here as well - sake tasting is available throughout the city.
Regardless of your choice for the last activity, you will feel the historical presence as you finish your day.
If you give at least a 3 weeks - 1 month in advance notice - other days will be available, to the best of my ability; Available every day in January, February and March
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Aomori Tour Reviews
“Amazing tour with a excellent guide.”
The tour was very well organised and with a lot of heart and humor. We learned a lot of the Japanese culture and history. It is a perfect tour for a shore excursion. Thank you tomo for a amazing day!
Tomohiko K.
(1 reviews)Dear Katrin S I would like to say thanks so much and be very honored to have your wonderful comment on my tour. Your tour is my first "Go with Guide tour" so that I will never forget the memory for you and your friends in mind for ever. I wish you could enjoy your Japan tour from now and I am looking forward to guiding you in the best season for appreciating the cherry blossom in the Hirosaki Castle and other sightseeing spots in Aomori someday again! Sincerely yours, Tomo.
