JP · Aomori Prefecture · 40.60°N 140.46°E

hirosaki

One of Japan's best sakura spots, with blossom-filled castle moats and apple pies.

Best time
Late April to early May for cherry blossoms, when fallen petals cover the moats. Early August has the Neputa Festival, autumn brings apple picking and maple colours, and February has a snow lantern festival at the castle.
How long
1–2 days
Getting there
Fly from KL to Tokyo, about 7 hours. The Tohoku Shinkansen reaches Shin-Aomori in about 3 hours, then it's about 30–40 minutes by train to Hirosaki.
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JP · Aomori Prefecturehirosaki40.60°N 140.46°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,One of Japan's best sakura spots, with blossom-filled castle moats and apple pies.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingHirosakiJP, Aomori Prefecture
KLhirosaki
≈ 5,692 km from KL, as the crow flies
The castle of Hirosaki with cherry blossom (Aomori prefecture, Japan)

Photo: Si-take. at Japanese Wikipedia(しいたけ) · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

An old castle town in Aomori, near the northern tip of Honshu, and one of Japan's best-loved cherry blossom spots. Thousands of trees surround Hirosaki Castle and its moats. The city is also Japan's apple capital, with Meiji-era Western-style buildings dotted around town.

Makan

  1. Apple pieBakeries and cafés all over town make their own, and the city even has an apple pie map.Map ↗
  2. Fresh apples and ciderTry varieties you won't find in Malaysia, plus local apple juice and cider.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Hirosaki ParkThe castle grounds, with around 2,600 cherry trees, moats and old gates. The blossoms are lit up at night.Map ↗
  2. Hirosaki CastleOne of the few castles in Japan whose original keep still stands.Map ↗
  3. Western-style buildingsMeiji-era buildings scattered around town, including the old city library near the castle.Map ↗
  4. Hirosaki Neputa FestivalHuge, lit-up fan-shaped floats paraded through town in early August.Map ↗
  5. Apple pickingOrchards around town, including Hirosaki Apple Park, let you pick your own in autumn.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Blossom timing shifts every year. Check the sakura forecast before you book.
  • Rooms fill up fast in sakura season. Book early, or stay in Aomori city and take the train.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.