Hirosaki Castle is a historic castle located in the city of Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. It was constructed in the early 17th century by the Tsugaru clan, who ruled the Hirosaki domain during the Edo period (1603-1867). The castle is renowned for its unique architecture, beautiful cherry blossom trees, and picturesque moats, making it a popular tourist destination in Japan. During our visit in May 2023 the castle was part way though it's 10 year wall reconstruction project, so it's a little less impressive then it otherwise would have been.

The history of Hirosaki Castle dates back to 1603 when the Tsugaru clan was awarded the Hirosaki domain by the Tokugawa shogunate, who ruled Japan at the time. The first lord of the domain, Tsugaru Nobuhira, began construction of the castle in 1604. It took nearly 7 years to complete the castle and the main keep, which was a three-story wooden structure, was completed in 1611.

Hirosaki Castle served as the residence and administrative center of the Tsugaru clan for nearly 270 years. However, the castle suffered significant damage during the Boshin War (1868-1869) when the Meiji Restoration overthrew the Tokugawa shogunate and established the new imperial government in Japan. Many of the castle's buildings were destroyed during the war, and the castle fell into disrepair during the subsequent years.

In the early 20th century, the local community began efforts to restore the castle, and several of the buildings were reconstructed in the years that followed. The main keep, which had been destroyed during the war, was rebuilt in 1810 using traditional Japanese woodworking techniques. However, the current main keep is a replica built in 1959 and is made of reinforced concrete.

One of the most distinctive features of Hirosaki Castle is its architecture. The castle is designed in the style of a hirayama-style castle, which is characterized by a flatland base and a hilltop main keep. The main keep of Hirosaki Castle is three stories tall and has a square-shaped base that measures 31 meters on each side. It is adorned with an ornate roof and distinctive red and white walls.

Another unique feature of Hirosaki Castle is the large number of cherry blossom trees that surround the castle grounds. The castle is particularly famous for its cherry blossom festival, which is held every year from late April to early May when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. During this time, the castle and its surrounding moats are illuminated at night, creating a magical and romantic atmosphere.

In addition to the main keep, the castle also features several other buildings, including a drum tower, a gatehouse, and a shrine. The drum tower is located at the top of the hill and was used to warn of impending danger during the Edo period. The gatehouse, which is located at the entrance to the castle grounds, features a massive wooden gate and a small museum dedicated to the history of the castle.

The shrine, known as Gokoku Shrine, was built in 1874 to honor the soldiers who died during the Boshin War. The shrine is located just outside the castle grounds and is a popular destination for visitors who wish to pay their respects to those who fought and died in the war.

Hirosaki Castle is also home to several gardens and parks, including the Hirosaki Castle Park and the Hirosaki City Apple Park. Hirosaki Castle Park is a large park that surrounds the castle and is home to over 2,500 cherry blossom trees. The park is a popular destination for picnics, strolls, and hanami (cherry blossom viewing) during the cherry blossom season.