Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Foliage Festival

Overview

The Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival is a traditional annual autumn event held at Hirosaki Park in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture. The main venue is the Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden, where visitors can simultaneously enjoy carefully cultivated chrysanthemum displays and the autumn foliage that colors the entire park. The festival's greatest appeal lies in the scene where fragrant chrysanthemums bloom in competition against the backdrop of vibrant autumn leaves from approximately 1,100 maple trees and about 2,600 cherry trees.

At night, in addition to the regular illumination of the Hirosaki Castle keep, turrets, and castle gates, a special autumn leaves illumination lights up the maple and cherry trees. Furthermore, lanterns called "Nishiki no Akari" featuring Neputa festival paintings and bonfires at the castle gates are set up, creating a fantastical atmosphere in Hirosaki Park at night. Sightseeing boats operate on a limited basis on the inner moat, allowing visitors to enjoy the interplay of autumn leaves and lights from the water, captivating those who come to experience it.

History and Origins

The Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival traces its origins back to 1962, when it began under the name "Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival." This festival is said to have developed from autumn leaf-viewing parties where participants brought their home-grown chrysanthemums to display and judge while enjoying the changing colors of the leaves. At that time, participants held elegant gatherings in Hirosaki Park to appreciate chrysanthemums while admiring the autumn foliage.

This tradition of autumn viewing parties gradually grew into a community-wide event, evolving into its current form. Since its inception in 1962, the scale of chrysanthemum displays has continued to expand, developing into a full-fledged autumn tradition centered on the Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden as its main venue. Large-scale exhibits such as chrysanthemum dolls and chrysanthemum topiary were added, transforming the event from a simple judging competition into a highly artistic festival.

The festival period is generally from late October to early November each year, timed to coincide with the peak of Hirosaki Park's autumn foliage (the exact dates vary by year, so please check the official website for the latest schedule). The autumn leaves of Hirosaki Park harmonize with the historical landscape of Hirosaki Castle, built in the Edo period, creating a unique space where nearly 400 years of castle history and natural autumnal beauty merge.

The 2020 Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival was canceled due to the spread of COVID-19 infections in the Hirosaki Public Health Center jurisdiction. However, the Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden itself remained open without entrance restrictions, allowing visitors to freely stroll through the grounds. Through this experience, the festival has continued while exploring management methods that consider infection control measures.

Highlights

Historical Reenactment Displays with Chrysanthemum Dolls The chrysanthemum doll scene features historical tableaus based on the work "Hirosaki Castle: People Are the Stone Walls, People Are the Castle" by Satoru Chisaka. This creation is based on a book published by Hokushin Shinsha, depicting the story of Hirosaki Castle's construction through chrysanthemum dolls. The dolls, made from chrysanthemums of various colors, vividly portray people working on castle construction, inviting visitors into the world of the Edo period.

Chrysanthemum Five-Storied Pagoda and Mount Iwaki Object At the venue, a five-storied pagoda and a Mount Iwaki object crafted entirely from chrysanthemums are displayed. The five-storied pagoda is formed by layering chrysanthemum flowers, showcasing the growers' advanced techniques in its intricate construction. The pleasure of comparing the real Mount Iwaki rising in the background with its chrysanthemum representation is a unique experience of this festival.

Citizens' Chrysanthemum Exhibition Competition The Citizens' Chrysanthemum Exhibition brings together large-flowered, medium-flowered, and cascade-type chrysanthemums cultivated with care by chrysanthemum enthusiasts from Hirosaki City. This exhibition, where ordinary citizens bring chrysanthemums they have grown over the course of a year, demonstrates the depth of the region's horticultural culture. The scene of colorful chrysanthemums blooming against the backdrop of red cherry and maple leaves enhances the autumnal atmosphere of the historic castle.

Fantastical Space of Special Autumn Leaves Illumination From sunset until 9 PM, the maple and cherry trees in Hirosaki Park are illuminated, revealing a fantastical beauty of autumn leaves different from daytime views. The illumination of autumn leaves is conducted simultaneously with the regular lighting of the Hirosaki Castle keep and turrets, highlighting the harmony between historical structures and natural scenery at night. The sight of red-tinted leaves floating in the darkness deeply moves visitors.

Nishiki no Akari Lanterns and Castle Gate Bonfires "Lanterns of Brocade" using Neputa festival paintings are placed throughout the venue, and bonfires are lit at the castle gates. The traditional colors of Neputa paintings overlap with the natural colors of chrysanthemums and autumn leaves, creating a unique warmth in the night park. The flickering firelight casts shadows on stone walls and trees, producing an atmosphere rich in emotion reminiscent of a medieval castle town.

Inner Moat Autumn Leaves Sightseeing Boat Operation During the festival period, limited-time sightseeing boats operate on the inner moat of Hirosaki Park. The autumn leaves viewed from the water approach with a completely different angle and intensity than those seen from land. On the boat, where only the sound of oars and water can be heard, visitors can experience the contrast between the blazing autumn leaves and the calm water surface.

Chrysanthemum Topiary and Animal Interaction Corner Topiary shaped from chrysanthemums and an animal interaction corner are set up. The chrysanthemum topiary is trimmed into various designs, including spherical shapes and animal forms, adding accents to the walking paths in the botanical garden. The animal interaction corner is particularly popular with families with children, allowing them to spend a relaxing autumn day strolling through the garden.

Festival Information and Access

Venue: Hirosaki Park (Main venue: Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden). Address: 1 Shimoshirogane-cho, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture. The Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden is located within Hirosaki Park, with the East Gate and Ote Gate as the nearest entrances. The East Gate is opposite the Hirosaki Cultural Center, and the Ote Gate is opposite the City Hall and Tourist Information Center.
Transportation Access: Approximately 15 minutes by bus from JR Hirosaki Station or Konan Railway Hirosaki Station. Get off at "Shiyakusho-mae Koen Iriguchi" and walk about 4 minutes, or at "Bunka Center-mae" and walk about 5 minutes. Two bus routes are available: the Komagoshi route to Fujishiro Eigyosho and the Hamanomachi route to Fujishiro Eigyosho. About 25 minutes by car from Owani-Hirosaki IC on the Tohoku Expressway.
Festival Period: Typically from late October to early November. Please check the official website of the Hirosaki Convention and Tourism Association for the latest schedule and implementation status.
Opening Hours: During the festival period, the Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden is open with extended hours from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Last admission is at 7:30 PM. Special autumn leaves illumination takes place from sunset to 9:00 PM.
Admission Fees: Individual admission to the Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden is 320 yen for adults (high school students and above) and 100 yen for children (elementary and junior high school students). Group rates for 10 or more people are 250 yen for adults and 80 yen for children. Combination tickets including Honmaru, Kita no Kuruwa, and Fujita Memorial Garden are also available at the botanical garden ticket office.
Parking: Hirosaki Park does not have dedicated parking facilities, so visitors must use nearby paid parking lots. Paid facilities such as the Hirosaki Cultural Center parking lot and the Hirosaki City Tourist Information Center parking lot are available in the vicinity. Use of public transportation is recommended.

Organizer: Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Foliage Festival Management Committee

Surrounding Area Information

Hirosaki Park, the venue for the Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival, is one of Japan's foremost historical parks built as the castle grounds of Hirosaki Castle. Within the park, in addition to the Hirosaki Castle keep designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, existing structures include the Tatsuimi Turret, the Ushitora Turret, and several castle gates, preserving the castle landscape of the Edo period to the present day. During the autumn festival period, these historical structures are adorned with autumn leaves and chrysanthemums, creating a landscape of fused history and nature rarely seen nationwide.

Near the venue, the Hirosaki City Tourist Information Center provides exhibitions on the history and culture of Hirosaki as well as tourist information. In addition to the tourist center, the Hirosaki Cultural Center is adjacent, and various cultural events may be held concurrently with the festival. These facilities are also close to bus stops and can be used as rest areas during rainy weather.

If you extend your walk slightly from Hirosaki Park, the central area of Hirosaki City has traditional Japanese confectionery shops and Tsugaru lacquerware workshops scattered about. As for autumn flavors, since the festival period coincides with the apple harvest season, fresh apple sweets and direct sales outlets are plentiful. During the festival period, the entire Hirosaki city area becomes a tourist season, allowing visitors to simultaneously enjoy the historical townscape of a castle town and the tastes of autumn.

Related Information

Historical Background of Hirosaki Castle: Hirosaki Castle was planned by the first domain lord Tsugaru Tamenobu, and after his death the second lord Tsugaru Nobuhira resumed construction in 1609, completing the castle in 1611. The current keep was rebuilt in 1810. The keep, designated as an Important Cultural Property, was moved by a building relocation technique from its original position and is currently placed at a temporary location for stone wall repair work. The ability to view autumn leaves against the backdrop of this keep is one of the festival's major attractions.
Overview of Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden: Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden is located within Hirosaki Park, where a wide variety of plants are cultivated and displayed. During the Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival, this garden serves as the main venue, with chrysanthemums displayed throughout the entire garden. The regular opening hours of the botanical garden are extended during the festival, allowing nighttime viewing as well.
Hirosaki Climate and Autumn Foliage Peak Season: Hirosaki City is the central city of the Tsugaru region in Aomori Prefecture, with clear seasonal changes due to its inland climate. Autumn brings early cold spells, with autumn leaves starting to change color from late September and peaking from late October to early November. The peak of autumn foliage varies by year, so checking the latest autumn foliage information before visiting is recommended.
Cultural Continuity with the Hirosaki Neputa Festival: The "Nishiki no Akari" lanterns used in the Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival repurpose Neputa festival paintings from the summer Hirosaki Neputa Festival. This indicates a cultural continuity between Hirosaki's two major festivals of summer and autumn. The vibrant designs of summer Neputa paintings reemerge as fantastical lights in the quiet autumn night of autumn leaves.
Other Botanical Highlights in Hirosaki Park: Hirosaki Park is famous as one of Japan's premier cherry blossom viewing spots, with approximately 2,600 cherry trees blooming in spring, whose leaves then turn brilliantly in autumn. The autumn foliage of cherry trees is beautiful in the gradual process as Somei-Yoshino cherry leaves change color from yellow to red. Therefore, even on the same tree, the shade of color varies depending on sunlight exposure and temperature, allowing visitors to enjoy gradations within a single tree.
Comparison with Other Tohoku Region Autumn Festivals: The Tohoku region has various autumn festivals and famous autumn foliage spots, but the Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival is unique in that it allows visitors to simultaneously enjoy the artistry of chrysanthemums and the autumn leaves of a historical castle. For example, while Kakunodate in Akita Prefecture and Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture are also famous autumn foliage spots, a festival combining large-scale displays of chrysanthemum flowers with historical structures is a unique cultural resource found only in Hirosaki.