Hirosaki Castle

Hirosaki Castle, located in the center of Hirosaki City in Aomori Prefecture, was the seat of the Tsugaru clan during the Edo period. It’s one of the few castles in Japan that still has an original Edo-period keep. It was completed in 1611, but the original five-story tower was destroyed by lightning in 1627. The current three-story keep was reconstructed in 1810. The domain obtained permission under the pretext of constructing a “yagura” (turret) for coastal defense purposes, rather than a castle tower. This strategy allowed them to bypass the shogunate’s restrictions on castle construction.
Currently, the castle grounds are used as the vast Hirosaki Park, covering over 490,000 square meters. Within the grounds are surviving Edo-era structures including turrets, gates, and moats. Despite the castle being abolished following the dismantling of the Hirosaki domain after the Meiji Restoration, it escaped demolition and was opened to the public as a park in 1895. Unlike many other castles in Japan, the castle’s Edo-era structure remains largely intact.
Hirosaki Castle is now best known for its seasonal events. In spring, the cherry blossom festival is widely considered one of the best in Japan, with approximately 2,600 trees in full bloom along the moats and walkways. In fall, the entire park transforms with colorful leaves, and in winter, it hosts the Snow Lantern Festival, featuring large snow sculptures and glowing kamakura (snow huts).