Hirosaki City is located in the western part of Aomori Prefecture, Japan, and is the central city of the Tsugaru region. It is the third most populous city in the prefecture, following Aomori City and Hachinohe. With a long history, Hirosaki developed originally as a castle town of the Hirosaki Domain and has served as the political, economic, and cultural center of the Tsugaru area since the Edo period. Over time, Hirosaki also became a major hub for academics and education, home to Hirosaki University—the only national university in Aomori Prefecture—and several private universities, giving it the character of a “college town.”
Hirosaki is renowned for its apple production and is the largest apple-producing region in Japan, accounting for about one-fourth of the nation’s output. The city actively promotes its image as an “apple-colored city,” incorporating apple-themed elements into urban design and events. It also hosts apple pie competitions and curated design maps of specialty shops, promoting apple-related products and culinary culture. The city tree is the apple tree, reflecting its deep connection with apples.
In terms of scenic attractions, Hirosaki Castle and Hirosaki Park are the city’s most iconic landmarks. Hirosaki Castle features the only remaining original castle keep in the Tohoku region. Every spring, about 2,600 cherry trees bloom within the park during the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival, attracting visitors from across Japan. Cherry blossoms and apples together shape the city’s image as the “City of Castles, Blossoms, and Apples,” with the cherry blossom also designated as the city flower.
One of the city’s most important summer events is the Hirosaki Neputa Festival, held every August. Designated as a nationally Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset, the festival draws more than a million visitors annually.
