HOKUSEI KOTSU CO., LTD.

As the wife of Houzaburo Fujita who was the house owner, was a distant relative of the big landowner Gen-emon Tsushima(Father of Shuji Tsushima), Osamu Dazai (Shuji Tsushima) while he attended the Hirosaki National Highschool in the 2nd year of Showa to 5th year of Showa, took a room in this house.
Osamu Dazai’s room was the inner part of 2F, with a closet, veranda, with a bow window.

closed on / December 29 – January 3
Open periods / 9:00～16:00 Required time 10 minutes.
Admission fee / Free

Formerly, it was a hawk hunting ground and scenic spot as a villa and garden for the feudal lords later on.
In the 30th year in Meiji period, with the foundation of the No.8 military service division, it became a ground of Kaikosha. Kaikosha was an organization for promoting mutual friendship with the commisioned officer. It was built in the 40th year of Meiji period by Sakichi Horie.
The decorations of the inside and outside of the rennaisance style architecture is refined.

(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.

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

Fujita Kenichi who is originally from Hirosaki and the first president of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry made this garden in 1919(8th year in Taisho period) He invited garden designers from Tokyo and had them built an Edo taste garden.
In the upper section, there is a surrounding scenery where you can view Mount Iwaki. Also a western, japanese, archeometry house which is a national designated tangible cultural asset is built.
In the lower section, there is a stroke style garden around a big pound where the Shobu’s are beautiful. The area is about 20 thousand and 1800㎡.

Open period / Beginning of April – November 23
Opening hours / 9:00～17:00 Time required 40 minutes.
Admission fee / Adults 310 yen, Elementary and Junior Highschool students 100 yen.

O-temon square, where both modern and historic western style architectures are built is the strongpoint of sightseeing and culture in Hirosaki.
In the back rear of the former local library, 13 houses of mini sized historic structures are displayed which were built in Meiji and Taisho period.
In the local literature museum, you can gather information on Hirosaki and the surrounding Tsugaru area, purchase souvenirs, and taste local cuisine.
You can also check the vacany of the ryokans (japanese style inn) and hotels. This is a spot you would like to stopover at the beginning of your trip.

Temporary closure / the close of the old year to the start of the new year December 29 – January 3
Open hours / 9:00～18:00 time required 15minuted to 30 minutes
Admission fee free

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.

(Important cultural property) The castle which the Tsugaru feudal lords established after the Tsugaru uniformation. The first feudal lord Tamenobu planned the construction and Nobuhira completed the castle in 1611.
Remaining on the grounds are the castle tower, three turrets, five gates.
In the 22nd year of Heisei, 400 years have passed since construction. In the 23rd year of Heisei, the keep has been moved, and the repair of the stone walls have started.
Due to the repair of the stone walls of Hirosaki castle, construction started moving the keep 70m to the inner part. Therefore, the view of the castle is different from the photo. We appreciate your understanding. In the year 2021, the repair of the stone walls is scheduled to end, and the keep will be moved to the former place.

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.

An important intangible folk cultural asset which colors a summer night in Hirosaki. Starting with Hirosaki Neputa, you can see the folkcraft of Tsugaru, hear a live preformance of Tsugaru Shamisen (3 stringed instrument). It is a perfect facility where you can see Tsugaru entirely and experience it.
There is a corner which introduces Mount Iwaki.
While looking at the 10m high huge Neputa, you can enjoy the taiko (drums) and shishi (lion) live performance, and listen to the Tsugaru shamisen performance up close. Why not experience the Tsugaru culture.

Days off / December 31
Open period / April～November /9:00～17:00, December～March/9:00～16:00 time required 30 minutes
Admission fee / Indivisuals 550 yen, Highschool and junior highschool students 350 yen, elementary students 200 yen, children over 3 years old 100 yen