[ad_1]
If I’m trustworthy, my first go to to Hirosaki dissatisfied me. The tenshu of the town’s well-known citadel had been moved, such that it was unattainable to take essentially the most well-known {photograph} of it, i.e. framed by essentially the most lovely of the numerous vermillion bridges within the sprawling advanced.
This was particularly disappointing since, as luck would have it, I used to be within the Tohoku area proper as cherry blossoms had been proper at their peak. The distinctive “petal moat” was fully full!
The dangerous information? It will likely be a minimum of one other yr (I’m penning this in 2024) earlier than the citadel tower is moved again to its unique location. The excellent news? Issues to do in Hirosaki (and, particularly, simply exterior the town) far exceed the pictures you see on postcards, as I found on my newest journey there.
Learn how to Get to Hirosaki
No matter what form your Hirosaki itinerary finally ends up taking, you’ll have to get there. Since many vacationers come on day journeys—extra on that in a second—I’ll presume to begin with that you simply’re coming from someplace close by, in all probability Aomori. Fortunately, attending to Hirosaki from Aomori is simple: Frequent providers alongside the JR Ou Line join Hirosaki Station with each Aomori Station and the Shin-Aomori Shinkansen hub.
In the event you do occur to be coming from Tokyo or someplace farther away (whether or not to remain just a few nights—or, nevertheless unlikely that is, only for the day), that is additionally fairly simple. The native transport firm Konan Bus runs providers immediately from Aomori Airport to Hirosaki; these cease at each Hirosaki Station and at Hirosaki Bus Heart, which is about midway between the practice station and Hirosaki Citadel.
Prime Issues to Do in and Round Hirosaki
Go to Hirosaki Citadel
It ought to go with out saying that for those who come to Hirosaki, it’s important to go to Hirosaki Citadel, the one one in all Japan’s 12 “unique” castles within the Tohoku area. Do be suggested, whether or not you go to in late April for the sakura or amid the scarlet momiji of autumn, that the tower gained’t be moved again to its picturesque unique location till a minimum of 2025; your footage will look completely different than ones taken right here used to.
(However don’t neglect the remainder of Hirosaki)
The realm across the citadel is simple to overlook, however unattainable to neglect. Particularly, I like the Twentieth-century Taisho Tea Room simply throughout the road; you may take pleasure in beef curry made with locally-grown apples when you admire its heritage structure. Subsequent door to right here is Fujita Memorial Backyard; I additionally suggest making the 10-minute stroll to Saisho-in temple, you probably have the time.
Take pleasure in having Takayama Inari Shrine all to your self
In the event you don’t remind renting a automobile, doing so actually opens up the Tsugaru sub-region to you. Amongst my favourite locations to go to is Takayama Inari Shrine. Comprised of vermillion torii not not like Fushimi Inari in Kyoto, this spot is often virtually fully empty, on account from its distant location on the ocean—and, importantly, the truth that it’s not served immediately by public transportation.
Attend the Tachineputa Matsuri
However, you may go through practice to Goshogawara, which I additionally take into account a worthy addition to your Hirosaki journey. Whereas the Tachineputa competition solely takes place for just a few days in early August, you may see its large, colourful floats year-round, on the exhibition corridor within the heart of city. I extremely suggest this, even for those who’ve by no means had a specific curiosity in Japanese matsuri.
Savor native nature
Mt. Iwaki towers over Hirosaki—on a transparent day, you may see it from virtually wherever within the area—but it surely’s solely the start of native nature. When you have a automobile, you can also make the drive to close by Kuroishi, the hub of Aomori’s well-known apple trade; are available in late October to see them ripe on the bushes—and to select them. One other worthwhile cease is Lake Towada, which is at its most lovely amid the autumn leaves, however is attractive year-round.
Ought to You Keep In a single day in Hirosaki?
For a lot of vacationers, the subject what number of days in Hirosaki to spend doesn’t come up, since they have an inclination to return on a day journey, often simply to go to Hirosaki Citadel from Aomori. Nonetheless, having lately accomplished my first in a single day journey to Hirosaki—I stayed three nights—I can personally say that it’s value spending just a few day right here, you probably have room in your Japan itinerary.
So far as the place to remain, the properties which are most handy to the locations in my Hirosaki journey weblog are, sadly, not essentially the most wonderful in Japan. On the dearer finish, Artwork Resort Hirosaki Metropolis is ostensibly a 4-star property, although it’s seen higher days. The extra economical Tremendous Resort Hirosaki is nearer to the citadel and presents free breakfast, but additionally options a lot smaller rooms.
Different FAQ About Visiting Hirosaki
Is Hirosaki value a go to?
Hirosaki is totally value visiting—and never simply due to its well-known citadel. Town is crammed with historical past and tradition, to say nothing of the appeal of the Tsugaru sub-region that surrounds it; Hirosaki is the proper base for exploring them.
Is Aomori value visiting in winter?
Aomori is, by some measures, the snowiest metropolis on this planet. In consequence, Aomori prefecture is the most effective place in Japan to go to if you wish to see the nation lined in snow. I’d truly say it’s a more sensible choice than Hokkaido, regardless of the latter being extra well-known for winter journey. Aomori presents extra conventional Japanese structure and tradition, which solely enhances the scene you’ll have the ability to seize.
What meals is Hirosaki identified for?
Hirosaki is thought for a particular model of Japanese beef curry, made with the addition of a neighborhood ingredient: Apples grown in close by Kuroishi. The curry isn’t extraordinarily candy—lots of the sugars within the apples break down throughout cooking—however they do add a sure je ne sais quoi, which is very welcome for those who eat the dish through the frigid winter months.
The Backside Line
I hope you are feeling impressed by all of the issues to do in Hirosaki I’ve listed, whether or not or not they embrace visiting Hirosaki Citadel on the peak of spring’s cherry blossoms. Inside the city-proper, a bevy of historic points of interest beckon, as does Mt. Iwaki looming within the distance. In the event you hire a automobile (or can patiently navigate native public transport), loads of different choices exist simply exterior the town, from matsuri in summer time, to mysterious shrines in winter, to autumn colours and apples you may choose in autumn. Want personalised assist placing your journey to Hirosaki collectively? Fee a customized Japan itinerary at this time!
[ad_2]