Hirosaki Koen Park is a symbol of Hirosaki City, Aomori. The park is spread out over the center of the city around Hirosaki Castle, which was built during the Sengoku period and restored during the Edo period.
Hirosaki Koen Park is especially well known for its cherry blossoms—around 2,600 cherry trees come into bloom in spring, dying the entire area pink. The park also hosts a Cherry Blossom Festival, which attracts thousands of visitors every year and is said to be the finest in Japan. Even after the sun sets, the blossoms are illuminated, creating a gentle, luminous atmosphere.
The park is a popular place to visit in other seasons as well, and it hosts the Four Grand Festivals of Hirosaki. These include the aforementioned Cherry Blossom Festival in spring, the lively Neputa (giant illuminated float) Festival in summer, the Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Maple Festival in autumn, and the enchanting Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival in winter.