Hirosaki - Hirosaki

Hirosaki is a city of Aomori Prefecture, in the northern part of the region of Tōhoku on the Japanese island of Honshu.

To know

Hirosaki was the capital of the Tsugaru clan who once ruled much of the northern areas of Tōhoku. Sometimes called "the Kyoto of the north ", this hyperbole is mostly supported by the wealth of temples, the remains of a castle and a famous version of the Nebuta Festival, called the Neputa Festival in Hirosaki.

When to go

Hirosaki has hot summers and cold winters with abundant rainfall all year round. Average temperatures in August include highs of 28 ° C and lows of 19 ° C. Average rainfall in August is 127 mm, and average temperatures in January include highs of 2 ° C with lows of -4 ° C. Average rainfall in January is 149.9 mm.

Background

In 1603 the construction of Takaoka Castle began by the lord of the Tsugaru clan, Tamenobu. In 1611 it was completed, but in 1627 the castle tower burned due to lightning; the following year the name was changed to Hirosaki Castle. In 1810 the modern castle tower was built. Since 1903, many cherry trees have been planted on the castle site. And now, the castle site has been transformed into a public garden which is one of the most famous cherry blossom spots in Japan.

The places where houses, factories and temples of the samurai class once stood are reused in other ways. Ishibaki's house in the Kamenokomachi district was built 250 years ago, and the people who lived there had the money to dedicate wara products to the castle. It is now used as a liquor store. Kajimachi district was used by artisans who made katanas and armor.

How to orient yourself

How to get

By plane

The nearest airport is ad Aomori, with JAL services from Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya is Sapporo.

On the train

Hirosaki is on JR Ōu Main Line (奥 羽 本 線) that connects Aomori, Akita is Fukushima.

From the station of Tokyo, take the Tohoku Shinkansen train Hayate or Hayabusa to Shin-Aomori, then change to the train Tsugaru Limited Express. The journey takes 4 hours and 15 minutes and costs ¥ 16,700. Along this route there is also a daily "Resort" train which continues to Akita. For foreign tourists heading from Tokyo, the best offer is to purchase a JR East Rail Pass or the Japan Rail Pass national.

Local trains from Aomori depart once an hour and take approximately 45 minutes (¥ 650). There are also additional express trains for the same price during peak hours.

Hirosaki is also one of the final stops of the night train Akebono which starts from the station Ueno of Tokyo.

How to get around

By public transport

Hirosaki is quite extensive and it is necessary to understand the bus system to be able to move economically. Most lines depart from JR Hirosaki Station. There is a hop-on-hop-off sightseeing bus that leaves every 10 minutes from Hirosaki Station, with stops at numerous other tourist locations in the city. The trip costs ¥ 100 for adults and ¥ 50 for children aged 6 to 11. All the details and the map of the route are available on the website of the Hirosaki tourism and congress offices.

What see

The castle

• Hirosaki Castle (弘 前 城; Hirosaki-jō) (the nearest stop is Shiyakusho-mae, 15 minutes from the station.). Adults ¥ 300; children ¥ 100 (including admission to the Tenshukaku Castle Tower Museum. Apr 1-Nov 23 9-17. Hirosaki Castle was completed in 1611 and housed several generations of the Tsugaru clan. The large grounds of 49.2 hectares include three concentric moats and earthen fortifications surrounding the remains of the castle's interior area: five castle gates, three corner towers and a castle tower. After the original five-story tower was struck by lightning and burned down, the current three-story Tenshukaku tower was built to replace it. The castle park is now a public park nationwide famous for its cherry blossoms. The castle tower houses a museum with samurai-era swords, armor, helmets and other items related to the castle's history. 
• Neputa Village (ね ぷ た 村; Neputa-mura). ¥500. Located in the northeast corner of the park, it is where floats and festival memorabilia are kept outside the Neputa festival season (see What to do). There are also several workshops of Hirosaki traditional crafts and food products, which can be purchased by visitors. Also, it is possible to do traditional Tsugaru handicrafts such as kokeshi is koma. Then, you can attend the performances of Tsugaru Shamisen. 
• Otemon Square. Across the park, this complex is home to the Hirosaki Tourist Information Center and other very beautiful things, including Japan's largest drum with a 4.5m diameter. 

Temples

• Zenringai (禅林 街) (bus to Yonchuko and get off at Shigemori-cho Chosho-ji (20 min).). 33 Zen temples moved or built here to spiritually safeguard Hirosaki Castle. 
• Chōshō-ji Temple (長勝 寺). ¥300. Apr-Nov 8-17. Known for the Sanmon Gate (1629) and a hall filled with wooden statues of the 500 disciples of Buddha. 
• Shinteramachi (新 寺 町) (bus to Sakuragaoka and get off at Hirosaki High School (13 min).). A slightly newer ensemble of temples affiliated with the Nichiren sect. 
• Saishō-in Monastery (最 勝 院). Known for its five-story pagoda, completed in 1667, 31.2 meters high and which took ten years to build on the orders of clan chief Tsugaru Nobuyoshi. 

Other places of interest

• Aomori Bank Memorial Hall (next to Hirosaki Park on Dotemachi Avenue). This museum was built in 1904 as the headquarters of the 59th National Bank. It is a Renaissance-style building, designed and built by Horie Sakichi. At the top there is an observation deck. It is an important national cultural heritage. 
• Yoshino-cho Park (near Hirosaki Chuo station). The park is located in the center of Hirosaki. Opposite the Brick Brewhouse is a memorial dog statue for the Yoshitomo Nara exhibit. In summer, the area is covered in lavender. 
• Tamenobu Tsugaru statue (in front of the Hirosaki Culture Center). free. The Tamenobu statue stands in front of the Hirosaki Castle Park. Tamenobu attacked many castles of the lord of Nanbu during the civil war period of the late 16th century. He won these battles and thus obtained the approval of Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1590 to rule the Tsugaru region. He was the first lord of Tsugaru's domain. 

Events and parties

• Cherry Festival (さ く ら 祭 り). Hirosaki is very famous for the Cherry Blossom Festival. In 1715, a member of the Hirosaki clan planted 25 cherry trees in Hirosaki Castle. After 170 years, 1,000 flowering cherry trees have been planted in the same place. In 1918 the first cherry blossom festival was held. In 1919, many stalls began to appear selling soba, mochi dango, etc. In 1961, the cherry blossom festival changed its name to Hirosaki Sakura Festival. Nowadays, there are fifty types of plants which number around 2600 trees. It is also recommended to see it illuminated at night. 
• Apple festival. This festival is held in the apple park of the city of Hirosaki from 6 to 20 May (just after the Cherry Festival). The main events of the festival are the performance of Tsugaru Shamisen, a live concert by Ringo Musume (Apple Girls), the sale of apple pies and so on. 
• Neputa Matsuri (ね ぷ た 祭 り). Hirosaki's biggest event is this annual festival, which is held in the first week of August (August 1st to August 7th each year) and many people come to see it. It is quite similar to the Nebuta Matsuri of Aomori (note a slight spelling difference). The festival is famous for its extravagant and colorful lighted floats and the accompanying dancers. Unlike Aomori's big Nebuta festival, Hirosaki's Neputa is known for being more accessible and low-key. Opportunities for visitors to interact with parade activities and local attendees are greater at the Hirosaki festival than in Aomori. 
• The Hirosaki Chrysanthemum and Maple Leaf Festival (菊 祭). It is held in autumn and is one of the 4 most important Hirosaki festivals. Chrysanthemums and maple leaves color the Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden. There are many works made with chrysanthemums, for example dolls, Mount Iwaki, a five-story pagoda, and so on. 
• Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival (雪 灯 篭 祭). Hirosaki is snowy, so in winter in Hirosaki park 150 large and small garden lanterns and 300 mini ones are carved Kamakura. A large snow sculpture and a snow slide are also made. The candles of the garden lanterns and the kamakura and Hirosaki Castle are on. It's very beautiful. 

The four Seasons

In Hirosaki, the four seasons are clearly distinct and there are four major festivals, one for each season.

• Spring: from the end of April in the Hirosaki spring. The Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival takes place in Hirosaki Park. It was chosen as one of the most spectacular cherry blossom festivals in the Japan.
• Summer: Hirosaki is in a hollow, so it is dry with little rain. It's very hot. The Neputa Festival starts on August 1st and lasts for a week.
• Autumn: It is fresh and pleasant to pass. Chrysanthemums and hundreds of maples color the interior of the park.
• Winter: Winter is cold and long in Hirosaki. The Snow Lantern Festival takes place in the Hirosaki Castle park, wrapped in a visionary atomosphere. The Snow Lantern Festival is held in early February each year. During the festival, the Hirosaki Castle park is filled with snow lanterns and sculptures that are illuminated during the evening.

What to do

Shopping

How to have fun

Where to eat

Hirosaki is the leading Japanese producer of apples, introduced to the city in 1875 by John Inge, an American teacher who worked at a local school.

French cuisine is very well known and appreciated in the city, this is because over time several foreign teachers have come and have also bequeathed part of their culture.

Average prices

• Anzu. The restaurant where you can see and hear Tsugaru Shamisen's live performance and try local food. The university students' favorite restaurant in Hirosaki is Kureson. Many students recommend stir-fried garlic chicken. 
• BunPuku (near Hirosaki Daigaku Ministop Convenience Store.). This ramen shop has different flavors, and the old woman serving you is an interesting character. Also sells ice cream. 
• Yamazaki (near Chuo-Hirosaki Station.). Famous for local cuisine and apple soup. 
• Takahashi (near Naijoshi JR Station.). 

Where stay

Average prices

• Hirosaki Youth Hostel, ☎ 81 0172-33-7066. Hostel. 
• Capsule Inn Hirosaki (カ プ セ ル イ ン 弘 前), ☎ 81 0172-35-0364. ¥3,150; - ¥4,200. Check in: 4PM, check-out: noon. It is located in Kajimachi, in the Asahi Palace. Budget accommodation that features all the comforts of a typical capsule hotel: sauna, free internet and wi-fi, a comfortable TV room and a small restaurant / bar. Certainly one of the most beautiful capsule hotels. Friendly yet impersonal service. 
• ^{[link not working]}Best Western - Hotel Newcity Hirosaki, 1-1-2 Ohmachi, Hirosaki, 036-8004 (Next to the station), ☎ 81 172 370 700. 

Safety

How to keep in touch

Around

• Shirakami-Sanchi - World Heritage ofUNESCO for its beech forests and waterfalls, it is less than an hour away.

Other projects

• Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Hirosaki
• Commons contains images or other files on Hirosaki

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