Hirosaki Zen Temples & Neputa Village

UPCOMING SHARED CRUISE EXCURSIONS

Join fellow cruise passengers on these pre-scheduled departures and enjoy a cost-effective, sociable shore experience.

FULL ITINERARY

Port Pickup & Introduction

Meet your English-speaking local guide and driver at the port, where you will be welcomed with a personalized sign. As part of our Aomori shore excursions curated by Shore Excursions Asia, travel by private chartered vehicle toward Hirosaki. During the excursion, your guide shares an overview of the region and explains Hirosaki’s historical role as the seat of the Tsugaru clan.

Choshoji Temple and the Zenrin-gai Temple District

Begin your visit at Choshoji Temple, located within the Zenrin-gai area, a district known for its collection of Zen Buddhist temples. Established in the 17th century, Choshoji was the family temple of the Tsugaru clan, who once ruled the region.

Walk through the quiet temple grounds and cemetery, surrounded by moss-covered stones, tall cedar trees, and traditional wooden buildings. The visit provides insight into Zen philosophy, samurai burial customs, and the spiritual life of northern Japan during the feudal era.

Hirosaki Park

Continue to Hirosaki Park, a historic landscape celebrated for its seasonal beauty, especially during cherry blossom season. The park encircles Hirosaki Castle and features moats, bridges, and carefully maintained gardens that reflect traditional Japanese design.

Enjoy a relaxed walk as your guide explains how the area evolved from a fortified castle site into a public park. The changing scenery throughout the year, from spring blossoms to autumn colors, enhances the park’s lasting appeal.

Hirosaki Castle

Explore Hirosaki Castle, one of the few original castle keeps still standing in Japan. Built in 1611, it served as the political and military center of the Tsugaru domain. Though modest in scale, the castle exemplifies Edo-period architecture and defensive planning.

Learn about the Tsugaru clan, daily life within the castle, and key historical events that shaped the region. The surrounding stone walls and moats offer excellent photo opportunities and a deeper sense of the site’s history.

Tsugaru-han Neputa Village

End your sightseeing at Tsugaru-han Neputa Village, a cultural complex dedicated to the Neputa Festival, one of Aomori’s most famous summer celebrations. Inside, view impressive illuminated Neputa floats featuring bold warrior scenes, legendary figures, and striking colors.

The village also highlights traditional Tsugaru crafts and music, creating a lively contrast to the tranquil temples and castle grounds visited earlier. This stop brings local traditions and folklore vividly into focus.

Return to Aomori Port

After the tour, relax during the drive back to the port, arriving with ample time before your ship’s departure and a deeper appreciation of Hirosaki’s cultural and historical legacy.