Hirosaki Castle

Hirosaki Castle (弘前城, Hirosakijō) was built in 1611 by the Tsugaru Clan. A three-story castle tower, fortified moats, castle gates and some corner turrets (yagura) survive or were reconstructed. The castle is located in Hirosaki Park, a spacious public park of about 0.6 square kilometers. The castle's original five-story keep burnt down in 1627 after being struck by lightning. Rebuilt in 1810, the present three-story keep is the only one in the Tohoku Region that was not rebuilt in the modern era, amongst only a handful in all of Japan.

Tsugaruhan Neputa Mura

The Neputa Mura (ねぷた村) or "Neputa Village" is a museum about Hirosaki's famous festival, the Neputa Matsuri, and also introduces the city's other cultural specialties. The Neputa Matsuri takes place annually from August 1 to 7 around the same time when Neputa and Nebuta festivals are held all over Aomori Prefecture. It features floats with large painted screens that depict beautiful women, mythological warriors and other themes, and are illuminated from within when paraded through the streets. Several such floats and screens are on display in the Neputa Mura. Although the main focus of the Neputa Mura is on the Neputa Festival, quite a few of Hirosaki's other specialties are put on display, as well. There are areas devoted to the local shamisen instrument, to popular local handicrafts and to old-fashioned toys. There is also a Japanese garden and a teahouse from the 19th century.