Hirosaki
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By air
The closest airport is in Aomori, which has JAL service from Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Sapporo.
By train
Hirosaki is on the JR ou Main Line connecting Aomori, Akita and Fukushima.
From Tokyo Station, take the Tohoku Shinkansen Hayate train to Shin-Aomori, then change to the Tsugaru Limited Express train. The trip takes 4 hours 15 minutes at a cost of ¥16,700. There is also a daily "Resort" train along this route which continues to Akita. For foreign tourists heading from Tokyo, the better deal is to purchase a JR East Rail Pass or the national Japan Rail Pass.
Local trains from Aomori depart once per hour and take about 45 minutes (¥650). There are also additional Rapid trains at the same price during rush hour.
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Hirosaki Castle
Hirosaki Castle is a hirayama-style Japanese castle constructed in 1611. It was the seat of the Tsugaru clan, a 47,000 koku tozama daimyo clan who ruled over Hirosaki Domain, Mutsu Province, in what is now central Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. It was also referred to as Takaoka Castle.Hirosaki Castle measures 612 meters east-west and 947 meters north-south. Its grounds are divided into six concentric baileys, which were formerly walled and separated by moats. It is unusual in that its Edo period donjon and most of its outline remains intact. Noted historian and author Shiba Ryotaro praised it as one of the "Seven Famous Castles of Japan" in his travel essay series Kaido wo Yuku.
Neputa Village
Located at the park's northerneastern corner, this is where the festival's floats and memorabilia are held outside the Neputa festival season . The Village showcases a particularly large 8x10m specimen, and sheepishly notes that it's now too big to fit under the electric wires that crisscross Japanese streets. There are also several workshops preparing traditional Hirosaki handicrafts, which can be purchased by visitors. ¥500.
Otemon Square
On the other side of the park, this complex contains Hirosaki's tourist information center and showcases more beautiful Neputa stuff including Japan's largest drum, diameter 4.5m wide and big enough for 50 people to bang on at once. Free.
Zenringai
A collection of 33 Zen temples moved or built here to spiritually safeguard Hirosaki Castle.
Chosho-ji Temple
Known for the Sanmon Gate (1629) and a hall filled with wooden statues of the 500 Disciples of Buddha. ¥300.
Shinteramachi
Take a bus to Sakuragaoka and get off at Hirosaki High School, A slightly newer set of temples affiliated with the Nichiren sect.
Saisho-in Monastery
Known for its five-storied pagoda, completed in 1667, which stands 31.2 meters tall and took ten years to build on the order of Tsugaru clan leader Nobuyoshi.
April - June
Information not available
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