Sightseeing courses
1.5 hours sight, seeing local tour in Hirosaki city
- Course details
Visiting Hirosaki city’s famous sight, seeing spots in a short time. Perfect for passengers who do not have much time, or have time until next train, plane connection, and would like to sight, see famous spots.
- The time required
1.5 hours
- Best seaso
nA year round
- Sightseeing route
JR Hirosaki station, hotels inside the Hirosaki city—Memorial hall of Aomori Bank —Saisho Inn, Five storied Pagoda—Hirosaki apple park—Choshoji temple and Zen temple area—Hirosaki park, O-temon square
Introducing sightseeing spots
Memorial hall of Aomori bank
- Points to see
(Important Cultural Property) The first bank in Aomori. This was built in 1904 by Horie Sakichi as the headquarters of the national bank.
It is a rennaisance style building, compromise between japanese and western style, the “kinkarakawashi”(japanese leather paper)used in the ceiling and the counter made by the keyaki tree are points to see. - Information for visitors
visit period / April 1 – November 30
visit time / 9:30～16:30, time required 15minutes to 30 minutes
Day off / Tuesday, 8/13
Admission fee / Adults 200 yen, elementary, junior high school students 100 yen
Saisho-in, Five Storied Pagoda
- Points to see
(Important culture property)The third generation feudal lord Nobuyoshi had started construction to provide repose for the people who died in the Tsugaru uniformation regardless of friend and foe. After 11 years of construction it was completed in 1667 by the feudal lord Nobumasa. On the 3rd year of Heisei, after the 9th typhoon (apple typhoon), on the verge of collapse, the whole surface was taken apart for repair.
It was the 7th large scale repair after construction. In the 15th year of heisei, after 335 years a service for an enshrined Buddhist image to reveal the principle image was held. - Information for visitors
visit time/9:00～16:30, time required 15 minutes～30 minutes
Day off / None
admission fee / free, an offertory
Hirosaki apple park
- Points to see
Hirosaki is the center of apple production in Japan, and this is the theme for this park.
At the information start up corner “apple house”, you can study about apples while eating and experiencing. There are also souvenir shops which provide more than 1200 items of apple souvenirs.
Also, the homestead and farm machines of farmhouses are displayed. You can come into contact with apples, learn, and even play with apples.
Every year from 5/7～16, an apple flower festival is held. - Information for visitors
emporary closure / over the year-end and the new year December 29 – January 3
Facility open hours / 9:00～17:00, time required 15 minutes～30 minutes
Admission fee / Free
Guide inside the park (reservation needed) time required 30 minutes
Zen temple area
- Points to see
(Important culture property) After the following year of the construction of Hirosaki castle, the 2nd generation feudal lord, Nobuhira gathered the Zen temples of the Soto sect from the entire Tsugaru to serve as a protective fortress in the back demon’s gate.
As the 33 temples were lined up as forests, it is called Zen temple area.
Even throughout Japan, it is rare that temples of the same religious sect are in the same place.
Chosho-ji
- Points to see
(Important culture property) Constructed in 1526. In 1610 as a southwest defense of the Hirosaki castle, it was moved to the current space.
It is a must-see temple where there are graves and mausoleums of the successive liege lords of the Tsugaru family.
The repair of the Mikagedou and Hondou which started in 2005, after 200 years is finished. Currently, a moiety of the back section is under repair. - Information for visitors
visit period / April～ October (please confirm from November)
visit time / 9:00～16:00 time required 15minutes～30 minutes
Temporary closure / none
Admission fee / 300 yen, under junior highschool students 250 yen
Hirosaki park
- Points to see
Sakura, which stands close to the castle, maples that turn into deep red, fantastic snow hanging lanterns…
The castle walls which remain the same as the past history.
Inside the park of the area of 42.9 ha (half the size of the Imperial Palace) you can see 2600 sakura trees with 50 sorts, 2200 pine trees, 1200 trees of autumn leaves.
One round takes 2 hours, enjoy walking slowly and experience the history.
Even after coming many times and at what time, one’s heart flutters to this wonderful place. It is the symbol of Hirosaki.
Hirosaki castle
- Points to see
(Designated as an Important Cultural Property by the country) The residence of the Tsugaru clan, who unified Tsugaru, was originally planned by the clan founder Nobunao, and its construction was completed by his successor Nobumasa in the 16th year of Keicho era (1611). The castle retains its main keep, three turrets, and five gates. In 2010, marking the 400th anniversary of its construction, and in 2011, work began on relocating the main compound and repairing the stone walls.
- Information for visitors
Admission paid for the keep and the northern wall.
Admission-paid period / April 1 – November 23 9:00～17:00 time required 20 minutes.
Admission fee / “indivisual” adults 310 yen, child 100 yen.
Taxi fees
| taxi type | number of people who can ride | charge | number of cars | remarks | reservation and credit card settlements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| small size taxi | 4 people | 7,000 yen | 95 cars available |  |
|
| high class taxi | 4 people | 9,000 yen | 4 cars available | Origin, Crown, Alphard, Celsior | |
| jumbo taxi | 9 people | 10,000 yen | 9 cars available | HiAce | |
| small size privately booked bus | 21 people | 26,000 yen | 1 bus available | Liesse II | |
| medium sized privately booked bus | 40 people | 32,000 yen | 2 buses available | Aero ace, Melpha | |
| wheel chair sleeping car | 6 people | 10,000 yen | 6 cars available | 2 wheel chair passengers(1sleeping berth possible)+4 people | |