Hirosaki Castle
Hirosaki Castle
4
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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4.0
833 reviews
Excellent
305
Very good
367
Average
140
Poor
15
Terrible
6
my c
1 contribution
Jul 2022 • Friends
The expanse of the castle grounds, the number of trees, and the viewing platforms at the summit make up for the modest and unattractive castle keep's size. I visited in the winter off-season when there were a lot fewer people, but my buddy said that during the Sakura season, it is one of the busiest spots in Japan. You can get a close-up glimpse of the gates and watchtowers, which are still standing.
Written 28 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martina1888
Inverness, UK506 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
You can get a combined ticket for the Castle, the Botanical Garden and the Fujita Memorial Garden. The views from the platforms on the castle grounds are great and inside the Castle tower there's a small exhibition about how the tower was templarily moved. I visited late September and there weren't too many other visitors.
Written 2 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
b2run
Ontario, Canada283 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
While the castles of Europe are much more imposing, the Hirosaki Castle has nice grounds and typical Japanese architechture. You can get a pretty good view from the castle windows. It can get pretty crowded during cherry blossom festival and during the summer.
Written 22 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roger K
Sydney, Australia538 contributions
Jul 2015 • Solo
Made my own way from Aomori to Hirosaki by train on the JR Ou Line. The one way trip takes about 40 minutes, costs 670 yen.
Hirosaki Castle lies within Hirosaki Park which lies about a 10-15 minute bus ride (100yen) or a 30 minute walk west from Hirosaki Station.
I took the 100 yen bus from Hirosaki Station as did most tourists visiting the Castle.
Opposite the main entrance to the Castle is Otemon Square, being a stepping off point for visitors to Hirosaki Castle. It has an Information Center with maps, pamphlets and advice about the city's other sightseeing spots.
Enter the grounds and start walking around the complex with well signposted walk ways.
The castle was surprisingly small is size. Maybe I was expecting something like Osaka Castle but it wasn't to be.
Unfortunately at the time of my visit, the Castle was under repair and no entry was allowed into the actual building or walled internal compound. Visitors could still walk around and through the park grounds.
All around the park you could see large maple and cherry trees but as it was summer at the time of visit, they were all in full leaf....and surprisingly(not) very few visitors. Apparently Hirosaki Castle is one of the top viewing locations for Cherry Blossoms and you can imagine an impressive display with the Castle as a back drop.
On existing the north gate, I tried to find some of the old samurai residences in the former samurai district that surrounded the Castle in times gone by wandering the local streets, but with no signage of where they were, I was unsuccessful.
I returned to Hirosaki station on foot as it was a easy 30 minute walk(make sure you have a map) instead of trying to link up with the 100 yen tourist bus loop.
Hirosaki Castle lies within Hirosaki Park which lies about a 10-15 minute bus ride (100yen) or a 30 minute walk west from Hirosaki Station.
I took the 100 yen bus from Hirosaki Station as did most tourists visiting the Castle.
Opposite the main entrance to the Castle is Otemon Square, being a stepping off point for visitors to Hirosaki Castle. It has an Information Center with maps, pamphlets and advice about the city's other sightseeing spots.
Enter the grounds and start walking around the complex with well signposted walk ways.
The castle was surprisingly small is size. Maybe I was expecting something like Osaka Castle but it wasn't to be.
Unfortunately at the time of my visit, the Castle was under repair and no entry was allowed into the actual building or walled internal compound. Visitors could still walk around and through the park grounds.
All around the park you could see large maple and cherry trees but as it was summer at the time of visit, they were all in full leaf....and surprisingly(not) very few visitors. Apparently Hirosaki Castle is one of the top viewing locations for Cherry Blossoms and you can imagine an impressive display with the Castle as a back drop.
On existing the north gate, I tried to find some of the old samurai residences in the former samurai district that surrounded the Castle in times gone by wandering the local streets, but with no signage of where they were, I was unsuccessful.
I returned to Hirosaki station on foot as it was a easy 30 minute walk(make sure you have a map) instead of trying to link up with the 100 yen tourist bus loop.
Written 15 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Briantravel
Diamond Beach, Australia214 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
We travelled by train from Aomori for a day in Hirosaki. A pleasant, 1 hr trip (slower train, not the express), and arrived mid morning. Most attractions (Castle, gardens, tourist centre) are walking distance from the tourist bus stops. The 100 Yen bus travels from the main station and does a full circuit , hop on or off anywhere, and 100 Yen each trip - good value. The Nebuta displays in the tourist centre are well worth seeing.
Written 8 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nejc Draganjec
Skofja Loka, Slovenia187 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
While most tourist masses will gather around Himeji, Osaka and other well-known castles, Hirosaki castle is one of those often overlooked gems. It is a beautiful little castle which you can get right next to. It used to be on a bank but when I was there it was moved a little further back on the middle of a field for a restoration. It is especially stunning in the sunset and during Hirosaki sakura hanami festival. A true sight to behold.
Written 20 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Banda-in-Japan
Tokyo, Japan440 contributions
Hirosaki Castle and the park surrounding it are a lovely spot to spend some time strolling. The castle is now a museum full of interesting samurai artifacts, but it is quite small. More interesting are the castle gates and turrets that are still standing. There is also a display on the daimyo's residential buildings that used to stand on what is now the heart of the park. It's easy when visiting a park with a broad expanse of lawn dotted with a few pine trees to think it's always been that way, so it can be a surprise to realize the extent of the buildings that once occupied the site.
Unusually, free wifi is available across the whole park.
Unusually, free wifi is available across the whole park.
Written 31 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom T
Atlanta, GA77 contributions
Apr 2012 • Solo
Located in a beautiful Park surrounded by cherry trees beyound belief in a beautiful town. See it during the cherry blossom festivals. See my other review of this area.
Written 23 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jenn
California181 contributions
Oct 2011 • Friends
I visited in the fall, unfortunately missing the sakura blossoms that Hirosaki castle is famous for, but the grounds around the castle were still beautiful. Also, because it was fall they weren't very many people around, so great picture opportunities.
Walking around the castle was so peaceful and calm. We paid 500 yen for entrance into the Castle tower, botanical gardens, and Fujita memorial garden. Inside the castle, which is smaller than other castles I've been to before there isn't too much, but it was still cool to see the views from the third floor. Although, the stairs up and down are dangerously steep, so I wouldn't recommend for small children or people who have trouble walking stairs.
Walking around the castle was so peaceful and calm. We paid 500 yen for entrance into the Castle tower, botanical gardens, and Fujita memorial garden. Inside the castle, which is smaller than other castles I've been to before there isn't too much, but it was still cool to see the views from the third floor. Although, the stairs up and down are dangerously steep, so I wouldn't recommend for small children or people who have trouble walking stairs.
Written 11 October 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janhavi B
Mumbai, India393 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
We visited this place on April 28. Got to see the Sakura in full bloom. Good weather and lots of people. Good eating options available inside the premises (garden area). Castle is small and quaint. Boating option is also available inside the garden. Wonderful place for all. Entrance fee is required.
Written 12 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is access to the castlr available in May. We are there on 7 may, will the blossoms still be around? Any other things we could see locally as well as Castle, gardens, botanical gardens & Gokoku Shrine?
Written 4 April 2019
We are docking in Aomori on 7 May. How do we get from The Dock area to Hirosaki Castle Park by TRAIN please.
Written 3 April 2019
I did not see any train lines near the castle and park. I don't recall seeing a train station anywhere near the dock either. I would be concerned that you'd be spending so much time trying to use the train that you'd miss out on spending time at the castle. It is about an hour drive by bus from the dock as it is so your desire to use the train would take even more time because you'd need transfers on either end. Personally I'd book a tour through the shore excursion people.
Written 4 April 2019
Yes, the renovations are still going on and are expected to last until 2023. The castle is expected to be put back into its original place by fall 2021.
Written 24 April 2017
A Tripadvisor member
Kawanishi, Japan
桜まつりの期間は門を入ったところに臨時観光案内所があり、無料でボランティアさんが付き、1グループ1人ということで
私は一人旅なのに、2時間こちらの予定時間にあわせて、写真のスポットも教えていただき、市役所の屋上も連れってもらって
ありがたかったのですが、丁寧な案内は、私一人独占するのは申し訳ないと思いました。私も気を使います。5人ぐらい集まれば、出発します。にすればいいかなと提案します。今年も兵庫県から行きます。
Written 23 March 2017
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