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
Tours & experiences
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1,197 within 5 kms
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166 within 10 kms
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
812 reviews
Excellent
297
Very good
358
Average
137
Poor
14
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.
Redflyer99
San Francisco, CA69 contributions
Nov 2022 • Family
The actual castle keep is fairly small and unimpressive but what is impressive is the size of the castle grounds, the viewing platforms at the top and the amount of trees. I went during the off season in winter where there were much less people but according to my friend it's packed during Sakura season as one of the most popular places in Japan. Gates and watch towers are still intact and can be viewed up close.
Written 9 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Onyib
Las Pinas, Philippines187 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
The Sapporo Ice Festival may be bigger and more popular, but the snow lantern festival around Hirosaki Castle (first week of February) is less crowded and very quiet, too. Make sure you’re all bundled up before going, it gets pretty cold and take a short break at the Starbucks near the castle, it’s really pretty. Not sure if I missed the ticket gate but everything was for free, did not go into the tower, though.
Written 20 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Yan C
Hong Kong, China800 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
It is a beauty. It is not a huge castle that its name may imply. It is only three storey high. The interior ground floor is less than 200 sq metres. It looks like a tower or a pagoda. The design and architecture are Japanese. The details are meticulously worked out and built. Quite an amazing sight. After sunset, the castle is lit up and that makes it even more beautiful. There are exhibits inside the castle. More interesting is to try to climb up the very steep, ladder like internal staircase to the top floor. Admission is not free but quite worth it.
Written 6 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Warner L
Pasadena, CA668 contributions
Nov 2019
Though small it has access to the interior and photos can be taken from the upper floor. It's beautifully located within the park grounds.
Written 5 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
pollyoppy
Ormskirk, UK1,262 contributions
Sep 2019
It is only part of the castle but it is situated within lovely grounds. The botanical gardens are worth a visit.
Written 9 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Chocolateloverlondon
London226 contributions
Aug 2019
The 'castle' is really only one reconstructed tower. The gardens are however lovely. I think it might be more of an 'event' to visit during Spring - cherry blossom season, or during the snow.
Written 23 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Labrys-JapanDream
Mandello del Lario, Italy1,903 contributions
Apr 2019
I visited Hirosaki castle twice, once on the occasion of its snow festival and lately at the beginning of spring. Both periods allowed me to witness the castle and its park at its best, I think. The winter experience has been my favourite one, not only for the castle itself but among other snow festivals I visited (Sapporo, Otaru, Asahikawa, Toyako). Don't miss the apple-based products you can buy in their souvenir shop. Highly recommended!
Written 22 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tam Nguyen
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam84 contributions
Jun 2019 • Family
Hirosaki castle is located in Hirosaki Park. It’s smaller than I imagined before getting there. But there is an abundant of exhibits for you to learn about the history of Hirosaki, the reason why and how the locals moved the castle from one to another site within Hirosaki park.
The exhibits are in Japanese, English and Chinese. There is also an aminated video. Everything is easy to understand.
The exhibits are in Japanese, English and Chinese. There is also an aminated video. Everything is easy to understand.
Written 5 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SmallBoatCruiser
Tokyo, Japan148 contributions
May 2019 • Friends
I visited on a cruise ship excursion. The grounds are lovely--just stroll around watching for the various types of trees. There is one 130-year-old cherry tree of a rare species. It had a few blooms left on May 7. The castle is currently in a temporary spot--but still accessible. The entire edifice was lifted and moved in order to repair the underlying wall--a multi-year project. There are signs with information at each level as you move up to the top floor. Beautiful views of Mt. Iwaki.
Written 26 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Glyn C
United Kingdom16 contributions
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?
Glyn C
United Kingdom16 contributions
We are docking in Aomori on 7 May. How do we get from The Dock area to Hirosaki Castle Park by TRAIN please.
2CAtravelers
Brattleboro, VT750 contributions
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.
Vanessakwok
Singapore
Were the renovations still going on? (24th April 2017)
Heikki S
Sendai, Japan98 contributions
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.
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。
まさまさ
Ota, Japan88 contributions
ボランティアの案内良いですね。是非４，５人で訪問したいと思います。情報ありがとうございました！
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Hirosaki Castle - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Hirosaki Castle
- Hirosaki Castle is open:
- Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
- We recommend booking Hirosaki Castle tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 4 Hirosaki Castle tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Hirosaki Castle:
- (0.56 km) Ishiba Ryokan
- (0.88 km) Dormy Inn Hirosaki
- (0.63 km) Saiei Ryokan
- (0.69 km) Hirosaki Grand Hotel
- (0.71 km) Hotel New Castle
- Restaurants near Hirosaki Castle:
- (0.26 km) Butokuden Rest Area Coffee Shop
- (0.30 km) Nonoan
- (0.50 km) Starbucks Coffee Hirosaki Koenmae
- (0.36 km) CAFE baton
- (0.39 km) Cafe Buruman
- Attractions near Hirosaki Castle:
- (0.01 km) Hirosaki Castle Archives
- (0.01 km) Hirosaki Park
- (0.14 km) Hirosaki Castle Information Center
- (0.29 km) Hirosaki City Museum
- (0.34 km) Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden