The castle donjon was moved 70 meters from its original foundation between 2010 and 2021 to allow for stone wall structural repairs.
The park is famous for the 'cherry blossom petal carpet,' where fallen petals cover the surface of the outer moat completely in pink.
Unlike most Japanese castles that were reconstructed in concrete, this structure retains its original wooden construction.
The castle grounds were originally the site of Takaoka Castle, later renamed Hirosaki Castle.
The moat system utilizes water from the surrounding hills for both defensive purposes and irrigation.
Some cherry trees in the park are over 100 years old, dating back to the park's initial landscaping in the Meiji era.
Hirosaki Castle is one of the few surviving Japanese castles with its original three-story donjon still standing since the Edo period. The castle grounds encompass the expansive Hirosaki Park, which contains over 2,500 cherry trees of approximately 50 different varieties. The current donjon, relocated to its present site in 1810, is designated as an Important Cultural Property. The castle's stone walls and surrounding moats were engineered with defensive curves and angles typical of 17th-century fortifications. The park area includes three original castle gates and five turret structures that remain from the feudal era. The site served as the seat of the Tsugaru Clan, rulers of the Hirosaki Domain. A major multi-year restoration project involved moving the entire donjon structure several dozen meters to repair the underlying stone foundation. Visitors can explore the interior of the donjon, which houses an exhibit of historical artifacts and feudal documents.
The Gekijyo-bashi bridge, which provides a view of the donjon framed by cherry blossoms and Mount Iwaki in the background.
Walk the full perimeter of the outer moat to see the different angles of the stone walls.
Visit the Botanical Garden located within the park grounds to see a wider variety of regional flora.
Wear comfortable, slip-on shoes as you will be required to remove your footwear to enter the wooden castle interior.
Do not climb or lean on the stone walls, as they are fragile historical structures protected by conservation laws.
The castle interior is closed during the winter season due to heavy snowfall; exterior park grounds remain accessible.
Remove shoes before entering the castle interior; do not touch historical displays.
