Hirosaki Castle

Welcome to Hirosaki Castle, one of Japan's most significant cultural landmarks and the former seat of the Tsugaru clan. As a scholar of Japanese history, I find this site particularly fascinating because it is one of only twelve…

We begin our journey at the Otemon, the principal entrance to the castle grounds. This gate is a 'yaguramon' style, featuring a heavy wooden structure topped with a defensive storehouse. …

Walking along the outer moat, we encounter one of the most photographed vistas in all of Japan. The water here acts as a mirror, reflecting the hundreds of cherry trees that line its banks. …

As we approach the inner sanctum, we cross the Gejo-bashi, a striking vermilion bridge that spans the inner moat. Historically, this was a 'dismounting bridge' (gejo means to dismount), where even high-ranking samurai were…

We now stand before the three-story castle keep in its temporary location. As mentioned, the keep was moved in 2015 to allow for the repair of the foundation. …

As we explore the perimeter of the Honmaru, we encounter several 'yagura' or corner towers. These served as watchtowers and arsenals. …

In the northern section of the park stands a designated natural monument: a cherry tree planted over 140 years ago, making it the oldest Somei Yoshino in the park. From an arboricultural perspective, this tree is a miracle. …

Our journey through Hirosaki Castle has taken us from the imposing Otemon Gate to the top of the 'hikiya' keep and into the shade of Japan's oldest cherry trees. We have seen how military necessity birthed architectural beauty…