Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

TOUR INTRODUCTION (150 words max)
Journey to the castle town of Hirosaki and walk in the footsteps of the samurai with an outside visit to its 400-year-old castle. Then, behold fantastic floats used in the Napbuta Festival at NeputaMura (village of Naputa) followed by a stroll through beautiful Seibi-en Gardens.


FULL DESCRIPTION (500 words max)
WHAT YOU WILL VISIT
Hirosaki Castle Park
Erected in 1611 by Nobuhira, warlord of the Tsugaru clan, the original five-story castle was destroyed by fire in 1627; the castle you see today was built in 1810 but still retains an aura of its ancient past with a three-storied castle, original or reconstructed moats, castle gates and turrets. Tucked away in the lush and peaceful Castle Park, it's a stunning backdrop to the 2,500 cherry trees that explode with color every spring. Noted as a National Important Cultural Property, the interior of the castle cannot be seen and the castle tower's base structure is currently being repaired and moved, but you can observe the progress from a temporary observation deck.

Neputa Village
The famed Neputa Festival, held the first week of August, dates back 300 years and features parades of massive, meticulously crafted floats made of hand-painted washi paper applied over manually bent wire frames. Following the parade, many of the floats are showcased in the village known as NeputaMura.

Seibi-en Japanese Garden
Covering an area of 9,360 square meters (100,800 square feet), the 125-year-old garden is a designated National Scenic Spot, offering an idyllic landscape of fountains, Japanese garden and rare architecture which mixed Japanese and Western. It's fragrant with weeping willows, junipers and pines, and you will discover an unusual two-story house that combines Japanese and Western architectural styles. Look for a special yew tree, trimmed in the shape of the god said to have created the earth and heaven.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES
The observation deck of Hirosaki Castle boasts spectacular views of 1,625-meter-high (5,331-feet-high) Mount Iwaki and the cherry trees. If you are lucky enough to arrive in late April or May, you will see the park turn to pale pink when its 2,600 cherry trees are in full bloom.

LUNCH
Relax and refuel during your adventure with a lovely Western and Japanese buffet lunch served in a local restaurant or hotel.

WHAT YOU WILL SEE ALONG THE WAY
Your 90-minute motorcoach drive to Hirosaki Castle Park travels through the picturesque countryside. You will drive past Zenrin Town which is temples lined along with the roadside.